Animals were eating hemp long before humans, and in New Zealand they still consume more than us. The data is yet to be measured but if you have ever been to a hemp field around harvest time the birds blocking out the sun should be evidence enough.

Carnivores vs. Herbivores

The reality is that hemp food products are a super food to almost all animals too. Even hyper-carnivores like lions and tigers, are capable of consuming up to 30% of their diet through plant-based products according to national geographic. DNA analysis proves domestic dogs evolved from the timber wolf approximately 15,000bp. As wolves fall into the hyper carnivore category, it wouldn’t surprise anyone that dogs stand to benefit from an increased ratio of plant-based nutrition in their diets. Despite the natural design of a hyper-carnivore, dogs have evolved. Adapting to eating a range of food; essentially the table scraps they have been fed since the human-canine relationship began. In short, the gut development allows dogs to consume plenty of hemp if you are willing to treat them.

Research surveys of pet owner attitudes and feeding practises indicated that concern largely exists around cost and nutritional completeness. Hemp is cost-effective, and large scale live-stock feed mostly utilises hemp seed cake; a bi-product of processing hemp food products for human consumption. Studies indicate that hemp inclusion in plant-based diets for pets is viable. Pets on 100% plant diets showed maintained health when plant-based diet maintained

Lifespan and Age-Associated Ailments

With domestication, the life expectancy of household pets has significantly increased compared to their wild counterparts. Cats and dogs, like humans, are living longer. The reality is domesticated animals face similar health issues to humans. With age, pets, like humans, are observed to be less active, sleepier and prone to weight changes. They variably experience issues with declining bone and joint health such as arthritis, increasing issues with vision and hearing, diabetes, cancer, and thyroid problems.

General Health & Well-Being

Hemp Connect Official Company Dog Jax showing off his luscious coat

Hemp has many naturally occurring properties to ease, delay and avoid common health issues. Numerous reports examine the benefits of dietary hemp on animal health. These studies show that hemp can strengthen the immune system, support a healthy weight, increase energy, and joint health and improve the condition of skin and fur.

Mainstream pet foods lack essential nutrients and are predominantly made to taste good or to be produced cost effectively. Hemp seed oil is better than fish or flax seed oils because it naturally has the perfect Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio ( 3:1 ) and other fatty acids vital for animal health. When administered in the correct quantities (INSERT LINK) hemp seed oil moisturises animal skin. Hemp seed oil contributes to the prevention of pet skin disorders such as dry nose, eczema, rash and dandruff. Dietary intake of hemp seed oil can thicken the animals fur texture and lessen shedding.

Hemp seed oil can enhance blood circulation and stimulate cognitive thinking. Hemp is also known to promote calming and reduce anxiety. With restless or irritable animals, the dietary inclusion of hemp seed oil could reduce anxiety.

Stock feed

Hemp hearts, hemp seed cake and hemp seed oil are increasingly being used as a supplement or ingredient in pet food internationally. Hemp seed meal is now common overseas in feed for small and large stock animals. The bio-available protein, fibre and minerals in hemp are easily digested and already proven beneficial. An independent study compared the growth of sheep and cattle in America when including hemp into dietary intake to those on control diets and found weight gains of 0.5kg per day for sheep, 3kg per day for cattle and lowered methane emissions. A Swedish study conducted on cattle showed increased milk yields in dairy cows with higher partial hemp cake diets when compared to a typical-diet fed control group.

Crop related bird-strike indicates that wild bird species favor hemp, and domestic chickens are no different. Studies have shown that inclusion of hemp in chicken feed increased egg volume, decreased feed intake and increased egg EFA values positively contributing to the overall egg nutrition.

Note:

It is important to note that hemp seed oil is extracted from the “industrial hemp” plant, and there are no psychoactive potentials in its use for humans or pets.

Industrial hemp is currently illegal in New Zealand as animal feed. Feeding hemp to any animal is in breach of the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act (ACVM).

As with any medical queries, if you have concerns about your pet and any ailments they are experiencing, seek advice from your veterinarian. The inclusion of hemp in pet diets is to maintain health and promote vitality.