The market for hemp treats and CBD treats for dogs has seen an explosion of new products ranging from hemp seed oil, CBD oil, full-spectrum oil, broad-spectrum oil, and even CBG treats for dogs. So, what are the differences in these products, and what are the best hemp-derived treats for dogs?
First, let’s look at the differences in these products. Products that include hemp oil do not necessarily mean they contain cannabinoids or CBD oil. Hemp oil usually refers to hemp seed oil which is made from cold-pressed hemp seeds which is a very healthy oil that contains EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids) but no cannabinoids. CBD oil in dog treats, however (whether it is an isolated, full-spectrum, or broad-spectrum) is different than hemp seed oil in dog treats as CBD oil is extracted from the hemp flower compared to hemp seed oil which is from the hemp seeds.
CBD for dog treats can come in a few different forms, isolate, broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum oil. Isolate, is CBD powder and is made by extracting CBD flower into oil and then separating the CBD out of the oil into a purified crystal which is then turned into powder in order to formulate into products. CBD isolate is the most popular form of CBD in products because it is the most widely available and least expensive. CBD isolate from a health benefit is the least beneficial from all of the other types of CBD found in CBD treats for dogs because CBD isolate is void of all the supporting compounds found in the CBD oil extracted from the hemp flower.
Broad-spectrum CBD oil for dog treats is also extracted from the hemp flower and is refined to remove THC. Broad-spectrum CBD oil is first extracted from the hemp flower and then the CBD oil is put through a fractional distillation machine that removes the majority of compounds that are not cannabinoids including the hemp terpenes. The CBD oil is then put through a chromatography machine which separates the THC from the CBD oil and all of the other compounds and cannabinoids. Products that use broad-spectrum oil usually contain a wider array of cannabinoids including CBD, CBG, CBC, and other minor cannabinoids, but usually void of the hemp terpenes.
Full-spectrum CBD oil for dog treats is by far the most therapeutic and beneficial when it comes to CBD treats for dogs. Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all of the natural compounds found in the CBD oil which include the hemp terpenes. Full-spectrum CBD oil also benefits from what is called the Entourage Effect which is the synergy of all the cannabinoids and terpenes working together to increase the efficacy of the CBD oil. Full-spectrum CBD oil also contains trace amounts of THC which is beneficial to the dog on a very small scale.
CBG treats for dogs is the newest craze that has entered the dog treat market. CBG is a cannabinoid found in hemp and what makes it so exciting is that CBG is the precursor cannabinoid to all of the other cannabinoids including CBD and THC. CBG has not been studied long enough to know the benefits in dogs. That being said, CBG is usually found in full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils.
So what are the best CBD treats for Dogs?
When looking for the best CBD treats or hemp treats for dogs, first take a look at what type of hemp oil does the product contain. Do the treats only contain hemp oil from seed that does not contain any cannabinoids or does it contain a CBD isolate, broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum CBD oil. Full-spectrum CBD treats for dogs are by far the best option as full-spectrum CBD oil has been shown to be superior to broad-spectrum CBD oil and CBD isolate. Second, does the product provide third party testing? Third-party testing will show if the product contains more than just CBD, although the third party testing usually will not show hemp terpenes in the product. One way to know if the product uses a full-spectrum CBD oil and the third party testing does not show hemp terpenes, is if the third party test shows low levels of THC. Usually, if the THC has not been removed from the CBD oil, the oil is full spectrum.
In conclusion, the best hemp treats for dogs or CBD treats for dogs, are treats that use a full-spectrum CBD oil containing all of the natural cannabinoids and terpenes found in the hemp plant.
