With the sudden wave of hemp foods and supplements hitting the market right now, you might think that hemp is just another “superfood” fad. But the data coming from nutritionists is actually showing surprisingly broad benefits. Let’s take a look at what those benefits are, and how incorporating hemp into your pet’s diet can help them live happier, healthier lives.
Anxiety and Stress Reduction
Much like for humans, one of hemp’s most well-known benefits is its ability to reduce general anxiety levels. The general myth is that this is related to CBD, THC, or marijuana – other byproducts of the hemp plant. For hemp seeds and oil supplements, this is actually NOT the case!
While hemp supplements do come from a plant in the same family, they contain zero cannabinoids. Instead, the calming effects of hemp seeds and oils come as a result of their very high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fats, as well as magnesium and potassium. Each of these vital nutrients have a strong effect on the muscles and nervous system, helping your pet naturally relax and be generally less stressed.
Anti-inflammation and Joint Pain Reduction
With about 25% of all dogs experiencing joint issues at some point in life – and some breeds seeing even higher numbers – finding an easy supplement to add to their food that helps relieve that pain is great for pet owners’ peace of mind. Much like with the point above, omega-3 and 6 essential fatty acids are really powerful for this. These omegas lower inflammation, which is often a key factor in joint pain. While they won’t solve deeper issues like arthritis or ligament damage, these supplements can help lower the everyday symptoms and increase overall quality of life for your pooch.
Boost Heart and Immune System Health
Beyond joint health, the anti-inflammatory components and high levels of vitamin A found in hemp can also help with your pet’s cardiovascular and immune systems. By reducing inflammation in the heart, blood can flow unimpeded, helping keep blood pressure low and reducing general stress on the heart and arteries. This also keeps the immune response remain strong and quick, further protecting your pooch from invasive nasties.
Healthy Skin and Coat
Our personal favourite benefit of hemp supplements – regular hemp supplements can have a stunning effect on your pet’s coat! After steadily eating a hemp supplement for a while, your pet’s coat will be thicker, softer, and slow down shedding. In fact, many pet shampoos actually incorporate hemp oil into their recipes to leave a glossier coat. The fatty acids found in hemp supplements, beyond the benefits detailed above, are also great for your pet’s skin health. They can increase natural moisturisation and help with skin issues like dry nose, eczema, rashes, and dandruff. We recommend you try Hemp Collective’s range for cats and dogs.
Dense Nutrition
In two tablespoons of hemp seeds, you will find:
- Two grams of fibre
- Five grams of protein
- 300mg of potassium
- 15% of the average dog’s daily requirement of vitamin A
- 25% of the average dog’s daily requirement of iron
There aren’t many other natural foods that can boast those levels, and that’s not even counting any of the omega-3 and 6 essential fatty acids we’ve harped on about! All these additional nutrients can be a great addition to your pet’s regular diet, especially if they’re deficient in something in particular, or if they’re very picky eaters (trust us, it does happen!).
As with all things you feed your pet, it’s best to consult your vet before introducing your best bud to a hemp supplement. Some diets may not need it, and some medications may interact poorly with some elements in the supplement, so be sure to check in with your vet to ensure a hemp supplement is just the boost your pooch or kitty needs.
Support your pet’s overall health and coat with our range of hemp seed and oil supplements. Each one is carefully chosen by our team of veterinarians to give your pet the broadest range of benefits and supplement their everyday diet. Shop our hemp range now!