What is hemp in dog food?
Premium dog food comes with all kinds of supplements mixed into the ingredients to give your furry friend a healthy nutritional meal every time you call them to their dog bowls. The latest trend is the use of hemp in dog food and many pet owners spend time researching to ensure that these products are safe, and if they will offer any real benefits for your pained, anxious, or elderly dog. Just like with any new addition to your pet’s eating plans, there is no simple or guaranteed approach to integrating hemp. One thing we can confirm, as professional producers of hemp-infused dog meals,cannabis and hemp are not compounds which can get people or animals high like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) even though they derive from the same plant. Even with this in mind, it will take a lot to decide whether it might be good for your dog. We just want to help you walk away from this guide with enough information to help you make a more informed decision.
What is CBD/hemp?
Hemp, also known as cannabis Sativa, is the same species of plant as cannabis. Unlike cannabis, hemp contains low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), less than 0.3%, which is the stuff that gets people high. The consumption of it is growing in popularity because it is purported to offer many health benefits for pets (and people) and comes in anything from pills and oils to edible snacks and treats. Here at Whoosh, we offer it ready for consumption in bite-size foods. Straight from package to pup. Many pets in Australia suffer from disorders that can be assisted by CBD products. That is why we have committed ourselves to providenatural, holistic pet food and supporting products.
Choosing the best hemp-based dog food?
1. Research, research, and more research
When it comes to food for your dogs, you can’t just pick anything up from anywhere. This is especially important if you are buying your pup products online. Look for impartial reviews to see what others are saying and that means going through the negative reviews too. Make sure you do as much background research as possible on the company before you give them your well-earned money.
2. Test and trial how your dog reacts (and document it)
Now that you’ve handled the trouble involved with finding a reliable dog food producer, you need to take the time to see how your dog reacts to the products as closely and carefully as possible. This isn’t just good advice for hemp-based products, you should apply this same principle across the board for meal changes. Dog’s digestive tracts are very sensitive, and you owe them the extra care to integrate something new. This helps to ensure that every new treat and snack is enjoyed safely and sufficiently.
You should dedicate a journal to help keep notes of everything for several days if you decide to use a hemp-based product. This helps you keep track of any changes and make a final decision about your pup’s happiness with the product you’ve chosen for them. Modern technology even allows for better documentation. You can record videos with your smartphone and keep track of how your dog reacts to things much more efficiently.
3. Familiarise yourself with warning signs
The documented data should be compared against something that indicates that everything is in the clear or that something is wrong. To do this effectively, you also have to know how to recognize when something isn’t quite right. You would look for swelling when a bee stings and limping when there is an injury. You should also get to know what signs tell you that your dog is reacting negatively to hemp or CBD products. Sluggishness to some degree is normal but if it is to the point where it impacts daily activities, then it might be a good idea to check in with your vet.
Is hemp good for dogs?
If you use it correctly, then yes of course it is. Hemp-based products for dogs have an ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fatty acids are compounds that your dog cannot naturally produce and therefore loses out on. Hemp is an excellent source of this, and it offers several benefits that cannot be ignored. The typical benefits of hemp in dog food include the following:
- Reduces anxiety
- Helps fight cancer
- Offers pain and arthritis relief
- Helps with inflammatory-related symptoms
- Reduces chronic inflammation and autoimmune disease
- Protects the nervous system
- Increases appetite and helps with nausea
- Aids heart health