It's the perfect time to let a little creative sunshine into your imagination and plan something exciting and memorable.
As the weather gets warmer, I start to get that fidgety feeling — eager to go outside, have an adventure, and plan some summer getaways.
Do you have a list of summer bucket list ideas you want to do at least once during your lifetime? Maybe you've thought about places to go this summer like snorkeling in Bimini or running with the bulls in Spain.
Did you know that there are nearly 90 million dogs living as pets in the United States?
We love our dogs, and they provide us with an immense source of comfort, enjoyment, and companionship.
If you're a dog owner and lover, you know you'll do just about anything to ensure your furry friend stays healthy and happy. (Just take a look at the basket full of dog toys sitting in your family room!)
But in your efforts to treat your pooch like a person, you may not have considered hemp oil for dogs.
No, your canine won't become a cannabis consumer. No bong for your beagle.
Hemp oil for dogs is derived from hemp plants, which are different from marijuana plants as they don't contain THC (cannabis), which means hemp plants do not provide the psychoactive substance.
The plants used are industrial hemp plants, which contain no THC, but do contain a lot of healthy fats and nutrients.
Hemp products are sold for dogs to help supplement their diets and have an abundance of nutrients, omega fatty acids, and essential oils, which is great for dogs who need a nutritional boost.
A vet may recommend that you give hemp oil to your dog if they think your dog’s diet could benefit from it.
Your dog needs fatty acids such as omega-3s and omega-6s but may not consume enough with their normal diet. These important fatty acids are not produced by the body, so they must be obtained from your dog's diet.
Hemp Oil Benefits for Dogs
It slows the spread of cancerous cells.
Research has shown that giving your dog hemp oil can help slow down the spread of cancerous cells.
Because hemp oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and it has a perfect balance in the perfect amount, hemp oil can reduce inflammation and stop the growth of cancer cells.
It reduces joint inflammation.
It also helps with inflammation of the joints. The GLA contents of hemp oil are extremely effective in reducing inflammation that can lead to pain and discomfort.
It moisturizes your dog's coat.
Hemp oil will also make your dog’s coat and skin shiny and healthy. It is a great source of moisture to your dog's fur and will help keep with dry skin patches or dry, itchy skin that often occurs in the winter.
It increases your dog's energy.
Hemp is a great diet supplement because it is a complete plant protein and helps increase your dog's energy while maintaining a healthy weight.
It contains about eleven grams of protein in each tablespoon, which is 50-75% more protein than one can get from either flax or chia.
It is safe for kidney and liver function.
Unlike some other natural supplements or mediations, hemp oil doesn’t interfere with kidney or liver function. It works well with your dog's internal system to keep all of his organs working at an optimal level and even helps boost immunity.
How Much Hemp Oil Should You Give Your Dog?
The amount of hemp oil you should give your dog each day depends on their size. Here are the recommended dosages for this product:
There are a few things to keep in mind before you give your dog hemp oil.
First, because hemp oil is a polyunsaturated fat, it is unstable and should not be heated before consuming.
This means that if you cook your dog’s food, you should not add hemp oil to the food before you heat it or while you're cooking it. Doing so could cause the oil to become rancid and lead to serious health consequences for your dog.
Also, if you feed your dog is a poultry-based diet, he is probably getting sufficient amounts of polyunsaturated fats and linoleic acid.
Adding hemp seed oil could lead to a healthy imbalance in his diet because this oil is also high in those nutrients. In this case, using flaxseed oil is the better option for your dog's health.
If your dog eats a beef-based diet, adding hemp oil is perfectly healthy and can be used in addition to your dog’s regular amounts of fish.
Now that you know a little bit about giving your dog hemp oil, let's look at the best products on the market.
This 100% organic hemp oil is made using only the highest quality ingredients.
It is created using a premium formula that helps improve your pets skin and coat, reduces inflammation and swelling, and helps relieve pain and stiffness so your dog can easily walk, run, and be active.
The hemp used in this product is made from certified Colorado hemp and is backed by the highest global manufacturing standards.
This high grade, Non-GMO, herbicide and pesticide-free oil has absolutely no chemical fertilizers, so is completely safe for your pet.
This oil will give your dog a natural calming effect that can relieve stress, reduce separation anxiety, stop constant barking, and lessen any natural aggressive behaviors.
The product is made using a proprietary extraction process, which means it offers the purest hemp oil as possible with a full plant nutrition profile.
This oil provides your dog with beneficial terpenoids, flavonoids, essential oils, vitamins A and D, trace minerals, phytochemicals, and omega-6 and omega-3 fats.
PROS
Comes with a 100% money-back guarantee
Great product to give your dog before a thunderstorm
Comes very safely packaged
CONS
More expensive than other products
Some dogs do not like the taste
Some people have reported that this oil increased their dog's anxiety
This strong hemp oil will save you money because you don't have to use as much of this 1000mg oil as you do with others.
It is made from certified Colorado hemp and safeguarded by the highest manufacturing standards worldwide. This high-grade oil is free from GMOs, herbicides, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers.
This oil is made only with the highest quality organic ingredients and a proprietary extraction process is used to extract the oil, which means the resulting product is the purest hemp oil that you can get and it has a full plant profile.
This oil contains terpenoids, flavonoids, essential oils, vitamins A and D, trace minerals, phytochemicals, and omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
This full spectrum hemp oil is designed to be safe and effective for pets.
In addition to its anxiety-relieving properties, this hemp extract also has powerful anti-inflammatory effects, which relieve joint pain and help your dog increase his mobility, agility, and energy.
PROS
With 1000 mg per serving, this oil is four times as potent as most other oils
Provides a natural calming effect to reduce stress
Great value for the price
CONS
Some people don't find the higher dose to be more effective than a lower dose
Some users did not see much of an improvement after using this
The OmegaPet hemp oil is a very popular choice. Customers are grateful for its reliable healing qualities.
Created by a family business that was founded in 2012, expert vets helped create the formula for this product so it would be perfect for dogs.
The company donates 10% of their earnings to non-profit agencies, which are typically animal shelters or pet charities.
This product is reliable and worthy of its price. It is made with dogs in mind using only fully-organic ingredients, which means your dog will only get the best nutrition available.
The hemp is extracted through CO2 and crystal precipitation, so you can be sure that there are no GMOs within this product.
PROS
250 mg for the price of 100 mg
Provides great relief for anxiety
Has many health benefits if used on a continuous basis
CONS
Dosing is unclear to some people
Slightly expensive, although it can often be found on sale
This hemp oil is one of the most popular choices for dogs. It’s a reliable product that is made by a company that is well aware of what will satisfy your dog.
Customers have been extremely satisfied with the progress that they see in their dogs since using this product. With regular use, this product ensures that your dog will live a long and comfortable life.
Unlike some other oils, this product will not damage your dog's liver, kidneys, or GI tract. It is a completely herbal and natural product that is sourced from a hemp farm that remains in full compliance with the regulations of the State Department of Agriculture.
The company behind this oil is one of the largest US distributors of medical hemp, due to its richness in natural occurring terpenes, essential fatty acids, and phytochemicals.
PROS
Hemp extract is isolated through Co2 extraction and crystal precipitation
This oil is derived from hemp seeds to create a superfood due to its high essential fatty acid content and Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA).
This oil contains up to 5% of pure GLA, which is a much higher amount than what can be found in any other plants.
This means it helps dogs retain healthy skin and fur, boosts their immune system, reduces their risk of cancer, and returns your dog's body back to balance.
This non-GMO, THC-free, anti-inflammatory oil provides the highest quality oil using only the best ingredients that are specifically designed to reduce your dog's anxiety and pain.
This hemp oil is free of masked fragrance, additives, preservatives, and other artificial filler ingredients.
The combination of soothing ingredients that are in this product work together to help your dog feel safe and at ease during situations that may otherwise seem stressful.
It is produced without added fillers such as corn, dairy, soy, artificial colors, or artificial ingredients.
This natural product is both safe and mild and uses a combination of hemp seed oil, omega fatty acids, and full spectrum hemp extract to give your dog the best opportunity for proper health.
Administering this oil is easy, you can feed it to your pet by mouth, on top of a treat, or put it directly in your dog's food bowl.
Your pet will happily eat it up, and if not, it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee that offers a full refund.
The hemp that is used to manufacture this oil comes from hemp farms in Colorado that pride themselves on being 100% organic.
The hemp is obtained using special techniques that shut out all chemicals and GMOs, which prevents them from being in the final product. This oil has helped countless dogs regain their energy and lively personalities.
It’s a certified oil that is made to reduce your dog’s pain and allow him to continue living a peaceful life.
This oil is tested by a third party to ensure quality. It comes equipped with a dropper, which makes it easy to give your dog the correct dose.
This oil also comes with a detailed dosing guide so you can effectively help your pet.
The Peaceful Buddy organic hemp oil drops are the ideal choice for making sure that your dog is given the care and attention that he deserves.
This oil combines hemp oil, chamomile, and frankincense extracts to help relieve behavioral problems and improve your dog's overall health and well-being.
This oil is easy to apply and can be added to your dog's treats or food. It is 100% organic and GMO-free.
This hemp oil is vegan and cruelty-free. It is made in the US and is safe enough to be added directly onto your dog's skin.
It has a rapid absorption rate of Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, which all work to greatly benefit your dog's health.
PROS
Protects the nervous system and promotes healthy digestion
This oil is manufactured right here in the US and is not made from used hemp or anything that is unreliable.
It comes with a ‘supplement facts’ sticker on the back of the bottle should you want to know any specific details about the ingredients, but this has been a consistently reliable, fresh, and effective product.
You can reduce your pet’s pain and help him find inner peace using this oil. After adding in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, this oil makes for a healthy combination to relieve painful conditions such as arthritis while also relieving anxiety.
Each bottle is one ounce, which is 30 servings of 8.33mg of high quality, premium hemp oil.
This is a great, affordable oil that gives you consistent results. This oil has 1000 mg of hemp, which is great for those who prefer a higher dose than other products allow.
This oil supports relaxation for your dog and can help improve their heart health with the Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The vitamin E that is in this oil is great for your dog's coat, skin, and nails!
This oil has a slight peppermint flavor and can be added on top of your dog's food or dropped directly into his mouth.
The company behind this product works closely with FDA approved facilities to make sure that each bottle is of the utmost quality and consistency.
PROS
Helps your dog sleep
Low cost
Great for people to use as well
CONS
Some dogs do not like the flavor
Despite the low cost, the price continues to rise on this product
Final Thoughts
If you are looking to decrease your dog's physical pain or mental anxiety, hemp oil is a great natural supplement to turn to.
All of the options above are highly rated by consumers, so start with whichever looks best for your needs and see what kind of difference it can make for your best friend.
Have you ever gotten up in the morning feeling bored like you don't want to do the same old things, but you can't think of anything better to do?
Your normal routine can start to get old, and it may leave you feeling unmotivated at times to do anything. You find yourself sitting in front of the television or staring at cat videos on Facebook.
You crave something new or out-of-the-box that will redirect you from your normal routine and give your restless mind something unique to focus on.
This happens to me on cold, rainy days when I am feeling a bit tired and cooped up, or on long summer days when it's 95 degrees outside.
When you're stuck in this feeling of mental malaise, it seems like your creativity and imagination have flatlined, and you just can't think of anything that lights your fire.
I’ll never forget a conversation I had with a demisexual friend years ago.
At the time, I didn’t know she was demisexual. I didn’t even know what a demisexual was.
But I did know that, unlike most of my other friends, she didn’t display obvious sexual attraction towards anyone of any gender.
Until she met John, that is.
I remember she wouldn’t stop talking about John.
She would go on and on about his amazing qualities — how smart and kind he was and how he looked so much like a Hollywood star. As she gushed, “He’s almost too perfect to be true.”