What do hemp seeds have to do with dogs and nutrition? There are a lot of myths, misnomers, and controversies we need to discuss. It’s become a hot issue being debated by veterinarians around the world. We feed our pup hemp seeds some mornings because it is the only plant in the world that is a complete protein. 

Let’s start by answering the million-dollar question upfront. Is hemp marijuana? No! Hemp is not marijuana.

Hemp Seeds Do Not Come from Marijuana

To better understand the difference, we need to get botanical. Hemp and marijuana are different varieties of the same plant species Cannabis Sativa L. It’s like how dogs and wolves are different breeds of Canis Lupis. They are related but differ in scientific make-up and how they are cultivated or bred. For example, hemp is made to grow upward like bamboo (10-15’ high) specifically for its stalks and seeds which are used for textiles, food, paper, body care products, plastics, and building materials. That’s why it’s most often referred to as “industrial hemp”.

Marijuana, on the other hand, is grown out like a bush to cultivate the leaves and cannabis flowers used for medicinal and recreational purposes.

David P. West, Ph.D. of the North American Industrial Hemp Council and renowned commercial corn breeder explains that a biochemical method further classifies Cannabis plants by their unique molecular compounds called cannabinoids - the most common being CBD and THC. Marijuana is low in CBD and contains 5-10% THC which is the psychoactive ingredient that gives a “high”. Industrial hemp conversely is high in CBD and has a low .3-1.5% level of THC and considered non-narcotic. 

“Hemp is the miracle plant of our time!  Everyone should know how it will affect not only our lives but our pets.” 

The Cannabis College of Amsterdam attempts to inform the public on all aspects of cannabis and hemp.

Benefits of Hemp
Consider these amazing ecological facts:

• Hemp has the ability to leach radioactivity from the soil and prevent erosion and mudslides. 
• Hemp plants mature in just 4 months vs. 20 years for trees.
• One acre of hemp produces as much fiber pulp as 4.1 acres of trees.
• Plastics made from hemp are biodegradable. 
• Hemp is rarely affected by pests or disease.

While grown worldwide, its major producers include Canada, France, and China. The US government doesn’t recognize the differences between industrial hemp and marijuana so cultivation has been prohibited since 1950. 

Prior to 1937, there were more than 10 million acres of seed-laden hemp growing wild in the U.S. and considered a primary link in the food chain. But a recent change in federal law will now allow for colleges and universities to grow hemp for research. That means that after 50 years on hold, America can get on track to once again become the predominant manufacturer of hemp. 

Healthiest Places to Live

Scientists believe that there are five centenarian hot spots on earth: Sardinia; Italy; Okinawa; Cost Rica and the village of Bama Yao in China. Here people live 100+ years without health issues not just because of clean air and water but the commonality in their plant-based diets rich in hemp seeds.

“A diet of hemp seeds can sustain all dietary needs of a person no matter what other unhealthy food is consumed.”

Today, 40% of Americans buy organic foods and hemp products are in their grocery carts. They have gone mainstream sitting on shelves next to flax and soy and appearing in the form of hemp oil, butter, salad dressings, nutrition bars, breads, cookies, and even personal care products like soaps, shampoos, and lotions.

Big Business

Exceeding $581 million in 2013 annual sales according to SPINS market data and The Hemp Industries Association (HIA), hemp is among the fastest-growing categories for food and consumer products in the U.S. 

Of the 3 million-plus edible plants in the world, no other plant source compares with the nutritional value of hemp seeds. Called the “complete protein” they have the ideal ratios of essential oils and amino acids needed to ward off immune type diseases AND they are the highest source in the plant kingdom of essential fatty acids responsible for the luster in skin, hair, eyes, and even thought processes. 

They’re a great diet supplement for people allergic to soy, containing about 11 grams of protein in a single tablespoon. Hemp provides 50-75% more protein than either flax or chia. 

Hemp seeds have a taste and texture similar to chopped walnuts. Hemp seed meal or cake is the product that remains after the seeds have been crushed and the oil extracted. It still contains 25% protein and can be made into milk, cheese, non-dairy ice cream, burgers & anything soy can be made into.

Further milling of the meal turns it into hemp protein flour used in making breads, pastas, pancakes… and even beer. If you sift the meal even finer which removes most of the fiber – you have hemp protein.

Hemp seed meal or cake was one of the world’s principal animal feeds until this century. It has the advantage of providing a complete diet for a lesser feed cost and allows animals a maximum weight gain without any need for artificial growth steroids. The good fat in hemp seed oil is unique since it is approximately 80% polyunsaturated or “good” fat – the highest of any vegetable oil. These fatty acids can’t be produced by the body and therefore must be obtained from our diets. 

Hemp Dog Food

That’s why hemp seed oil as a supplement or ingredient in dog food is showing great promise as is hempseed meal as an addition to both small and large animal feed. The protein in hemp is easily digested and could possibly be an alternative or supplemental source of protein in the food but more research is needed. 

Hemp Food Australia, a hemp advocacy group that sells hemp products but no pet products, reports that canine health benefits from hemp protein include:

• Strengthens the immune system
• Supports a healthy weight
• Increases energy
• Improves the condition of skin and fur

While the movement toward incorporating hemp into a pet’s diet is still in its infancy, veterinarians are slowly starting to discover the value of this miracle plant. 

“Dogs are predominantly carnivorous and built to eat meat. That’s why hemp oil & hemp protein power products need to be added as a supplement to the diet… not as a replacement.”

Hemp Seed Oil for Dogs

Most dog foods are like “fast foods” for humans - without all the nutrients and only made to taste good. Hemp seed oil is better than fish or flax seed-based oils because it naturally has the perfect Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio ( 3:1 ) of fatty acids that your dog needs. Hemp oil moisturizes a dog’s skin and fur correctly because it is herbal and has virtually no side effects like fish oil - but it must be administered in the right quantities. Hemp seed oil prevents dog’s skin disorders such as dry nose, dog acne, dog eczema, dog rashes, and dog dandruff. 

Hemp seed oil can enhance blood circulation and stimulate a dog’s cognitive thinking. Plus, it can thicken its fur texture and lessen shedding. Again, because hemp oil is extracted from the “industrial hemp” plant there are no psychoactive reactors.

Here is the recommended dosage of hemp seed oil for pets: 

• 10 lbs = 1ml
• 20 lbs = 1.5ml
• 30 lbs = 2ml
• 40 lbs = 2ml
• 50 lbs = 3ml
• 60 lbs = 3.5ml
• 70 lbs = 4ml
• 80 lbs = 4.5ml
• 90+ lbs = 5ml

Why Buy Canadian

Before buying hemp seed products for yourself or your pet, check out where they are grown and manufactured to ensure you are getting the best quality. While there are lots of brands to choose from, Canadian hemp products must meet tough standards. They are “identity-preserved” in lots equivalent to “certified organic.” Every lot can be traced to its source. Health Canada only allows hemp to be grown with a government-issued permit and requires mandatory lab testing to ensure that all hemp grown there contains 0.00% THC.   

Canada’s primary market for hemp is the U.S. Cylab International will open a new $32 million hemp processing factory in Alberta by 2015 with others like Stemia ready to do the same. They’ll both manufacture everything from dog bedding to bio-fuel.  

Brand Names

One Canadian company that brands its products as HEMP HEARTS™ uses no pesticides, insecticides or chemical preservatives. They are not irradiated, pasteurized or altered in any way from their natural state which might compromise their food value. There’s also enough Vitamin E to keep them from going rancid. 

Experts say that before you buy check the label. Lani Banner of Colorado’s Vitamin Cottage, a health food chain, says, “Look at the back of the label for the test pledge symbol. This is where the companies pledge they are testing all of their hemp seed products to ensure that it has undetectable levels of THC. The symbol looks like a small tear-drop shape that says test pledge.” 

As always, make sure your vet is aware of any supplements that you give your dog or plan to give. While they may be safe, it may interact with medication or factor in diagnosing an issue your dog may be having. It’s also important not to over supplement which may make them sick. 

Hemp Tips

Since the oils in hemp seeds go rancid rather quickly, they are kept in the refrigerated section of natural food stores. Be aware that heating hemp seeds will destroy the nutritional benefits of the fatty acids so add them to foods after cooking. 

Side Effects

While generally considered safe, here are some side effects to be aware of. Because of the high-fat content – even though it’s the good kind – it may cause diarrhea. Start with approximately 1 tsp per day and work your way up to the recommended 2 tablespoon serving. As of 2011 hemp seeds were not known to interact with common medications – but consult your physician before introducing them into your diet. Blue Shield of California cautions anyone taking anticoagulant drugs since hemp seeds inhibit platelets and may pose a bleeding risk. 

What Experts Say About Hemp for Dogs
World-renowned veterinarian Dr. Colmery shared his opinion about alternative food supplements. "If you put a shoe, a can of WD40, and a chicken feather in a box you could call it the perfect protein," he said. “There's cartilage from the hide, fat from the oil, and protein in the feather.  But, it has no nutritional value because you can't eat it." He said that before he could classify hemp as the single perfect protein, he needed to do more research. "As far as I know, the only single-source protein with all 11 essential amino acids is "man himself". 

When UCLA’s Dr. William Eidleman & R. Lee Hamilton, Medical Researcher &-Biochemist were asked about the "life-giving values" of cannabis hemp they said, "the promise of super health and the possibility of feeding the world is at our fingertips." 

Hemp Innovation
Picking up on that idea, a Richmond, Virginia entrepreneur opened The Hemp Dog Café selling hot dog buns made from hemp seeds, oil, & flour.

And, if that’s not alternative enough, Push Designs just recently built a house in Asheville, NC using a product known as Hemcrete – a mix of industrial hemp, lime, and water. This building material has been used in Europe and Australia since the 1960s and dates back to 1,000 years to Asia and the Middle East where the Cannabis plant originates from. Its durability is unlike anything except stone and has a 600-800 year life span.

If you want a house built using hemp and are worried about people trying to smoke it, David Mosrie of Push Designs puts it this way: 

"We tell folks they would have to smoke the master bedroom to get high!  It would take smoking 2500 lbs of hemp, so it is a losing effort." 

Sounds kind of funny and far-fetched but who knows. Someday someone might do it for a Guinness world record!

Until then, pet parents should do their own research and decide whether hemp is a good food supplement for their dog. 

Fun Facts

• Hemp was used in the construction of the great pyramids.
• It was legal to pay taxes with hemp in American from 1631 until the early 1800s.
• Refusing to grow hemp in America during the 17th and 18th centuries was against the law.
• George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp. It was Jefferson who smuggled hemp from China to France to America
• 90% of all ships’ sails and rope were made from hemp.
• Henry Ford built a plastic car comprised of hemp materials. 
• Hemp can produce bio-fuel and ethanol better than corn.