A few weeks ago, I shared a detailed guide to CBD & Hemp Oil For Dogs. It covered everything from what it is, the amazing benefits it offers, tips to choose a quality product, and how to incorporate it into your dog’s daily routine. I even shared the brand that I use and trust. You can check out the complete guide here!
Since I shared that post, I’ve had a lot of people reach out to me and ask even more questions! So, to help you get a better understanding of Hemp and CBD for dogs, today, we’re stripping things down to the basics. Below, is a list of must-know terms. You’ll likely come across these words when reading up on hemp products and on your hunt for the perfect oil for your dog.
Cannabinoids
The cannabis plant produces more than 60 compounds (the exact number is disputed) that are known as cannabinoids. While there are many different compounds, the two main types of cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — which we’ll talk about in just a minute.
Non-Psychoactive
It doesn’t produce a mind-altering intoxication/high effect.
Hemp Oil
Hemp Oil comes from the seeds of the hemp plant. When pressed together, the seeds secrete a nutrient-rich oil. It contains Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants (such as vitamin E and vitamin A), gamma-linolenic acid (which is an essential building block for prostaglandins, a substance that helps to control inflammation and supports various body functions), and a variety of amino acids. Hemp oil can also contain low levels of CBD.
CBD Oil (or cannabidiol)
An extract obtained from the flowering portions (stalks, leaves, and buds) of the hemp plant. CBD is the substance that produces amazing therapeutic effects, such as helping to manage pain, inflammation, anxiety, seizures, cancer, and more. I talk about how under the Endocannabinoid System section.
THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol)
Another type of cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. THC is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that produces the mind-altering feeling of being high — Marijuana’s THC content is usually between 10-15%, and some strands contain up to 35%.
Industrial Hemp
The hemp used to create both human and animal medicinal products contains a maximum legal amount of just 0.3% THC.
Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
All mammals have something called an endocannabinoid system, which is a network of receptors throughout the body that bind with cannabinoids in the bloodstream. When cannabinoids — such as CBD — interact with these receptors it helps to maintain balance in the body and bring about the proper immune response to treat a number of ailments.
Terpenes
Terpenes are natural medicinal constituents in hemp that contribute to the “entourage effect” that we’ll talk about in the next term. According to Dogs Naturally Magazine, all products will contain terpenes.
“If your oil was produced using the CO2 method, the terpenes get pulverized, making them difficult to detect in testing, and they won’t show up on the Certificate of Analysis … but they are still present and contribute to the CBD oil’s medicinal effects.”
Full Spectrum CBD Oil
It contains more than just CBD. It also contains other non-psychoactive cannabinoids that can work together to enhance the oil’s effectiveness. *I personally use Cannanine’s Organic CBD Oil from Hemp. According to the Cannanine website:
“We believe nature knows best, and using a product that more closely mirrors what nature designed is ideal. Many believe the whole plant offers an ‘entourage effect’ where your dog benefits from a more complete variety of the phytochemicals found in hemp.”
Broad Spectrum CBD Oil
While products labeled “broad spectrum” still contains a wide variety of cannabinoids and terpenes, they have gone through additional extraction methods to help isolate the CBD. This is done to further remove trace amounts of THC.
CBD Isolate
It’s just what it sounds like — products labeled “CBD Isolate” have gone through an extraction process to completely isolate the CBD from all other cannabinoids.
Gold Grade
This refers to the quality and clarity of your oil. Lower-grade oils are darker — they contain more chlorophyll and plant matter. Whereas a higher quality oil is more of a gold color.
CO2 Extraction
Experts call this the best extraction method. It uses carbon dioxide under high pressure and low temperatures, assuring a pure, natural, and non-flammable product. When talking about CO2 extraction, you may also see the words “supercritical” and “subcritical”. Subcritical extraction is done at a lower temperature than supercritical but both create a quality CBD oil.
Organic
When shopping for Hemp CBD Oil, make sure to opt for organic. Since cannabis easily absorbs contaminants from the ground where it’s grown, heavy metal toxicity, pesticides, and other contaminants are a concern.
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
A laboratory testing report of your CBD oil. You want to check the CBD and TCH levels. Plus, make sure there aren’t any additives, pesticides, heavy metals, bacteria, yeast, mold, or residual solvents.
The Hemp CBD Oil I Personally Use & Trust
One of my rules for this blog: I don’t usually endorse ingestible products (unless it’s Bob’s Red Mill flour or an ingredient used to make your own homemade dog treats). My only exception is for supplements that I actually give my dogs and have noticed a clear improvement from.
iHeartDogs’ Cannanine™ Organic CBD Oil from Hemp one of those products.
- Cannanine is manufactured in the USA from organically grown Colorado hemp.
- It’s non-GMO
- It’s full-spectrum
- It contains absolutely zero THC
- Tests also show it’s free of bacteria, yeast, mold, heavy metals, and other toxins
Another positive? Cannanine freely shares their Certificate of Analysis right on their website!
