Can dogs eat hemp seeds?

Are hemp seeds OK for dogs?

Yes, dogs can eat hemp seeds. Hemp seeds are beneficial for your dog, they’re also considered one of the safest, balanced, natural, most digestible foods in nature. It is also seeded in some high-quality pet foods.

What are hemp seeds?

Hemp seeds are derived from hemp plants, cannabis Sativa. They’re nuts having mild nutty flavor. They can be eaten raw, roasted, or cooked, as well as cold-pressed to make hemp oil and the making of non-dairy hemp milk, protein powder, cheese substitutes etc. They are a different variety of cannabis (marijuana) and do not contain those “high” effects of cannabis. They are a good source of Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Vitamin E, Magnesium and B type vitamins.

How much hemp seeds should I feed my dog?

Hemp seeds amount should be according to your dog’s health and size. Typically a normal size adult dog can be given 1 tablespoon per day and ½ a tablespoon for small dogs. You should also consult your veterinarian as he/ she can assess the dog’s condition and suggest the amount.

What are the health benefits of hemp seeds for my dog?

There are various health benefits of hemp seeds for your dog. The omega 6 and 3 fatty acids help in moisturizing the skin and reducing itchiness. The anti-inflammatory property of omega 6 helps in reducing the joints pain of your dog and prevents arthritis. The Amino acids and arginine present in hemp seeds maintain the heart health of your dog and prevents it from cardiovascular diseases, obesity, bad cholesterol and fats build-up. The fiber present in hemp seeds helps the digestive system while Zinc, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium and antioxidants help the immune system as well as reduces ageing of your dog. Hemp seeds can also help to mitigate psychological problems like Stress, Obsessive behaviors and Anxiety.

What is the nutritional content of hemp seeds?

Hemp seeds are a very good source of protein, amino acids, and essential fats like omega 6 and omega 3. Other nutrients like vitamin E, manganese, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, and zinc.

What are the potential risks of feeding hemp seeds to my dog?

The potential risks include intrinsic toxic agents in the plant, adverse reactions on specific dog species, interactions with existing medications of the dog, mislabeling of hemp seeds or plant misidentification, toxicity from pesticides, contaminants and/or adulterants.

How to feed hemp seeds to my dog?

In the starting, you should just give ½ tablespoon and observe if your dog is comfortable with hemp seeds and isn’t having any abnormal behavior. And as it gets comfortable you can increase the amount but no more than the specified amount set by your regular veterinarian. Your regular veterinarian will assess the amount based on your dog’s condition. Do not give hemp seeds regularly. 2-3 times a week would be good. Make it as a part of its normal diet rather than making them the main course.

Hemp seeds are very beneficial for dogs as well as humans. They contain omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, Zinc, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium, antioxidants, fiber, Amino acids, Arginine etc which benefits different parts of the body. There are no major side effects or harmful effects of hemp seeds in dogs. You should make sure the quality of hemp seeds is very good and they’re free from any pesticides or foreign material that would be dangerous for your dog’s health. Though, you should limit the amount in the diet as directed by the veterinarian. Hemp seeds are a good healthy diet option and easily can become a part of your dog’s diet.

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