Hemp seeds, or hearts, are a great addition to any dog's diet due to their high content of essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, complete proteins and fiber. Packed with healthy fats, proteins, and various minerals, hemp hearts are extremely nutritious and can provide many benefits for your pup. Not only do they contain more than 30% fat, but they also have the perfect ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which is crucial for the acids to work effectively and interdependently in the body. In addition, hemp seeds are a great source of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid that can help prevent cancer and reduce joint pain.
However, it's important to remember not to give your dog too much of a good thing, as it could cause gastric discomfort. Jean Dodds recommends one teaspoon of hemp, flax or chia seeds per day for every 40 pounds of a dog's body weight. Hemp seeds also contain large amounts of the amino acid arginine, which produces nitric oxide in the body. A tablespoon of flaxseed contains a whopping 6.7 grams of alpha linolenic acid (ALA), which helps maintain a healthy heart, blocks tumor cell growth and helps prevent chronic inflammatory diseases.
As precursors to those long-chain fatty acids, hemp seed can help maintain the function of your dog's immune system so that they feel happier. Incorporating hemp into your dog's diet can have a major influence on heart health for a multitude of reasons. It's important to know that hemp should be something that complements your dog's diet and not a substitute. So, while your dog won't get high from eating hemp seeds, he'll be happy about their nutritional benefits.
While too much GLA in omega-6 can cause inflammation, the right balance (as in hemp) can benefit joints. Hemp seeds for dogs also provide protein, manganese, magnesium, vitamin E, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron and zinc. With its added hemp element along with all the other ingredients, it's sure to improve your dog's health from the inside out. If you're feeding hemp hearts or whole hemp seeds, it's best to grind them before feeding them for better digestion.
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