Hemp Oil vs. CBD Oil for Dogs: Understanding the Difference

Posted on by TJ
Hemp Oil vs. CBD oil for dogs thumbnail.

Key Takeaways

  1. Hemp oil and CBD oil are not the same thing and will provide your dog with different benefits. 
  2. Hemp oil is another name for hemp seed oil, a cooking oil, and CBD oil is infused with therapeutic cannabinoids. 
  3. Before you give your dog CBD oil or hemp oil, please consult with your veterinarian. 

Did you know that the pet CBD market is projected to grow to a whopping $1.7 billion by 2030? With all those dollars floating around, it’s no wonder that more and more retailers are flooding the hemp oil and CBD oil wellness space. 

However, as a dog owner, it’s essential to understand the difference between the two, especially because they aren’t substitutes. While both oils are derived from hemp plants, they’ll offer your dog different benefits. In this post, we’ll explore the differences between hemp oil vs. CBD oil for dogs and help you make a more informed decision about your dog’s health. 

The Differences Between Hemp and CBD Oil for Dogs

Even though hemp oil and CBD oil both come from hemp plants, they couldn’t be more different. Although not a one-to-one comparison, we liken hemp oil vs. CBD oil to mustard and broccoli (bare with me here). 

Mustard comes from pressed mustard seed, but did you know that broccoli also grows from modified mustard seed? It’s the same plant expressing different features. Pretty wild. Hemp is the same way. 

Hemp oil is a shortened name for hemp seed oil, an oil cold-pressed from hemp seeds. While hemp seed oil is high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, it contains no cannabinoids. 

CBD Oil, on the other hand, comes from the flowers and leaves of mature female hemp plants. Unlike hemp oil, CBD oil is rich in (you guessed it) CBD and some other cannabinoids. These cannabinoids probably won’t help your dog the same way omega fatty acids will, but they can provide several therapeutic effects. 

Let’s circle back to our mustard analogy: Mustard and broccoli are great, but they’re different and serve different purposes. Hemp and CBD oils are both great, but they’re different and should be used differently. 

Benefits of Hemp Oil for Dogs

Hemp oil doesn’t contain any cannabinoids or terpenes that can offer your dog therapeutic benefits, but that doesn’t mean it’s a poor choice. On its own, hemp seed oil is a relatively healthy cooking fat and may be able to help your dog in several ways, 

  • Omega Fatty Acids—Hemp seed oil is a great source of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. These fatty acids can help puppies develop their brain and eyes and older dogs with their cognitive function. 
  • Joint Health – The fatty acids in hemp seed oil can also help improve joint health and help older, stiffer dogs.1
  • Coat Health – Omega-3 fatty acids also help reduce dry, itchy skin and promote a soft, silky coat. 
  • Immune Support – In addition to the fatty acids we’ve mentioned, hemp seed oil is also rich in antioxidants, which can help promote a healthy immune system. 

Benefits of CBD Oil for Dogs

CBD oil contains active cannabinoids (and some terpenes) that can help your dog with specific ailments and discomforts. It works by introducing CBD via your dog’s stomach. From there, the CBD works its way into your dog’s bloodstream where it comes into contact with their endocannabinoid system. 

The endocannabinoid system regulates various functions and feelings in most mammals, including pain perception, stress and response, and inflammation response. Giving your dog CBD oil may be able to help with the following, 

  • Pain management – CBD may be able to help dogs experience less pain. A study by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine found that dogs suffering from osteoarthritis benefited from CBD.2 Not only did the dogs show fewer signs of being in pain, but they were more comfortable and active. 
  • Mood regulation – Another study published in 2023 found that CBD may be able to help dogs better handle stressful situations. As part of the study, dogs were given CBD before a car ride. Compared to the dogs given a placebo, the dogs given CBD exhibited fewer signs of anxiety.3 
  • Inflammation response – Early research done ex vivo (outside of the body) with dog blood has found that CBD can reduce inflammation response induced by lipopolysaccharides, which are the outer membranes of some harmful bacteria.4 
  • Seizure management – Another study conducted at Colorado State University found that CBD helped reduce the intensity and frequency of seizures compared to the control placebo group. 

Which is Better for Your Dog: CBD Oil or Hemp Oil?

If you’re deciding between hemp vs. CBD for your dog, think first about what you’re trying to address. For example, if you have a happy and healthy pup and just want to give them a nutritional boost for their health, consider adding hemp seed oil to their food. 

However, if you have a dog who suffers from situational stress, anxiety, painful joints, or seizures, CBD oil may be a better option. 

Before you add either to your dog’s daily routine, check in with your veterinarian. Hemp seed oil can cause some gastrointestinal discomfort, and CBD can interact poorly with some medications that your dog may or may not be on. Only your dog’s vet can give you a personalized recommendation.

Sources

  1. Kogan, L., Hellyer, P., & Downing, R. (2020). The use of cannabidiol-rich hemp oil extract to treat canine osteoarthritis-related pain: a pilot study. AHVMA J, 58, 1-10.
  2. Vitorović, J., Joković, N., Radulović, N., Mihajilov-Krstev, T., Cvetković, V. J., Jovanović, N., … & Bernstein, N. (2021). Antioxidant activity of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil in Drosophila melanogaster larvae under non-stress and H2O2-induced oxidative stress conditions. Antioxidants, 10(6), 830.
  3. Flint, Hannah E et al. “Daily dosing of cannabidiol (CBD) demonstrates a positive effect on measures of stress in dogs during repeated exposure to car travel.” Journal of Animal Science vol. 102 (2024): skad414. doi:10.1093/jas/skad414
  4. Gugliandolo, Enrico et al. “Effect of Cannabidiol (CBD) on Canine Inflammatory Response: An Ex Vivo Study on LPS Stimulated Whole Blood.” Veterinary Sciences vol. 8,9 185. 4 Sep. 2021, doi:10.3390/vetsci8090185
Español