Hemp Oil or CBD Oil: What's the Difference?

You’re standing in a store or scrolling through an online shop, and you have a choice between two oils: one is “hemp oil,” the other is “CBD oil.” They sound almost the same. But the prices are completely different, and suddenly you’re not sure what your dog actually needs.

Don't worry—lots of people feel the same way. We get asked this exact question all the time. That's why we're taking the time here to break down exactly what's in each bottle and how you can tell from the label what you're really buying.

Are hemp oil and CBD oil the same thing?

No. While both oils come from the same plant—hemp—what matters is which part of the plant is used and what ultimately ends up in the bottle.

Hemp oil (correctly: hemp seed oil) is cold-pressed from the seeds, similar to flaxseed or canola oil. However, the plant does not produce CBD in the seeds, but primarily in the flowers and leaves. That is why pure hemp oil contains only trace amounts of CBD, if any. CBD oil, on the other hand, is produced in such a way that it contains the plant compound CBD.

Hemp oil: a cooking oil made from hemp seeds

Hemp oil is a traditional cooking oil made from the cold-pressed seeds of the hemp plant. It has a slightly greenish color, a nutty flavor, and is mainly used in cooking.

It is still valuable, just in a different way. Hemp seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Omega-6 (linoleic acid) and omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) are usually present in a ratio of 2:1 to 3:1. This balanced ratio is what makes hemp oil so popular as a cooking oil.

Here's what's inside:

• polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially omega-6 and omega-3
• Gamma-linolenic acid, a less common omega-6 fatty acid
• Vitamin E
• a little chlorophyll, which explains the greenish color

What's essentially missing is CBD. So no matter how much hemp oil you use, you won't get the benefits of CBD oil.

What can you use hemp oil for in dogs?

Hemp oil is a dog food ingredient. It's a good choice if you want to add extra fatty acids to your dog's food, for example, because you cook their meals yourself or feed them a raw diet.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Start small: Oil is high in calories. Begin with a small amount and factor the calories into your dog’s daily intake; otherwise, your dog will quickly put on weight.
• Do not heat: The delicate fatty acids do not tolerate heat. Always add the oil to the finished food after it's ready.
• Store in a cool, dark place: Hemp oil goes rancid quickly. Opened bottles should be kept in the refrigerator and used up promptly.
• Don't confuse the two: Hemp oil is not intended for issues such as anxiety, restlessness, or inner balance. It simply lacks the plant compound needed for that.

The total amount of oil you should feed your dog depends on its diet, weight, and activity level. If you're unsure, it's best to consult a canine nutritionist.

What exactly is CBD oil?

CBD oil contains cannabidiol, or CBD for short. This is one of many plant compounds in the cannabinoid group that hemp produces, primarily in its flowers and leaves.

CBD does not produce a psychoactive effect. THC, another compound found in the plant, is responsible for that. In Germany, industrial hemp may contain no more than 0.3% THC (Section 1, No. 9 of the Recreational Cannabis Act). Our CBD oil contains significantly less than that.

In a study involving healthy dogs, CBD-rich oil was well tolerated even when administered in gradually increasing doses. For safety information, see “Is CBD Dangerous for Dogs?” For more on the differences between CBD and THC, see the guide “Cannabis for Dogs.”

The reason CBD can have any effect at all lies within your dog’s own body. Like almost all mammals, dogs have an endocannabinoid system: a delicate network of the body’s own signaling molecules that helps maintain balance in many ways. Think of it as the body’s internal police force. CBD can gently support this system. You can find more information on this in our basic guide, “CBD for Dogs: Effects, Safety, & Dosage.”

What does “CBD hemp oil” mean on the label?

This is where most of the confusion arises, and it’s understandable. Many CBD products for dogs are labeled “CBD hemp oil” or “hemp oil with CBD.” Almost always, this means that a CBD extract has been dissolved in hemp seed oil. So the hemp oil is merely the carrier oil; the plant-based substance comes from a separate extract.

Here's how to read the label correctly:

Our tip: Don't look at the product name; instead, check the ingredients list. If it doesn't list the CBD content as a percentage or in milligrams, it's not CBD oil.

How is nacani's CBD oil different?

Not all CBD oils are the same. Most oils on the market consist of a CBD extract that is mixed into a carrier oil. The active ingredient comes from hemp, while the rest of the bottle comes from an entirely different plant.

We’ve consciously chosen a different path. Our full-spectrum CBD oil is 100% cold-pressed juice from the entire industrial hemp plant. In collaboration with a local oil mill, the plant is gently cold-pressed directly, without any carrier oil or additives. This preserves not only CBD but also other cannabinoids such as CBG and CBN, as well as terpenes and flavonoids, in their natural proportions.

This has two consequences you should be aware of:

• Full-Spectrum: Experts refer to this as the “entourage effect.” This means that the plant compounds work more effectively together than they do individually. We explain exactly how this works in our guide to full-spectrum CBD oil.
• Clear Dosage: Our oil comes in two strengths. 2.8% equals 1 mg of CBD per drop, and 5.6% equals 2 mg of CBD per drop. This way, you always know exactly how much CBD your dog is getting.

You can check the exact ingredients at any time: The certificates of analysis for our 2.8% oil and our 5.6% oil are publicly available. By the way, they say “hemp oil with natural CBD content.” This refers to our oil extracted from the whole plant, not the cooking oil made from seeds.

Hemp Oil or CBD Oil: Which One Is Right for Your Dog?

It depends on what you're looking for. Both oils have their place, but for very different occasions.

• Want to add healthy fatty acids to your pet's food? Then pure hemp oil from the grocery store is the easy choice.
• Are you looking for a natural companion for exciting moments— like New Year's Eve, during a thunderstorm, or on long car rides? Then you need some CBD oil.
• You want both? No problem. The two oils serve different purposes and aren't mutually exclusive.

It’s important to remember: CBD oil is a dietary supplement. It can be part of your dog’s daily routine and naturally support his well-being. And by the way: There’s also CBD oil made from pure hemp juice for horses.

What should you look for when buying CBD oil?

It's worth taking a second look at the label. These five tips will help you identify a good oil:

1. CBD content listed as a percentage or in milligrams: Without this information, it is not CBD oil, no matter what it’s called.
2. THC below the legal limit: In reputable oil products for animals, the THC content is less than 0.3%.
3. Transparent laboratory analysis: It should be clear what’s actually in the product. If you have nothing to hide, you’ll make the analysis public.
4. Full-spectrum: A full-spectrum oil contains the natural combination of plant compounds, while an isolate contains only CBD.
5. Carrier oil or pure hemp juice: Check to see if the plant extract has been mixed with another oil or if you’re getting pure hemp juice (which, in our opinion, is the best option).

Our CBD oil comparison for dogs shows you what sets our two oils apart. And if you want to know how many drops are right for your dog’s weight, our CBD dosage calculator will help you figure it out in just a few seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Difference Between Hemp Oil and CBD Oil