Well, I’m not talking about breeding your pet!  But…if you are considering CBD products for your pets, it’s always best to learn about how the ingredients are grown and what are best practices for all elements of the products you buy.

Growing hemp can be a very profitable business or an exciting hobby. Depending on whether you are growing these plants for personal or commercial needs, you need to be familiar with the method of cultivation and hemp’s life cycle.

Like most novice hemp breeders, you might think that breeding only females will bring you the highest yields. That’s true if you grow hemp to get CBD extract and other products. As you can see on Cheefbotanicals, male plants are not rich in cannabinoids (but they do have some), yet this doesn’t mean they are useless.

The main task of male hemp should be the pollination of female plants, but it should be carried out in controlled conditions, in order to get the best result.  Only the highest quality male plants should be selected to share their genetic material with the ladies. This will help the female hemp acquire improved features and give buds of top-notch quality, and isn’t that what you would want in any product you buy for your pet?

Find the Best Fertilizer

When you start growing hemp, what you want to get are buds full of CBD. Dried flowers can be smoked or steamed, and by processing them, you can make CBD oil, tinctures, and many other hemp-based products that have healing properties.  Please refer to my previous blog on how CBD may help your four-legged best friend.

Although males also develop flowers, they contain minimal amounts of cannabinoids. That’s why they don’t serve the same purpose as buds in female hemp. You can try to smoke them, but it just won’t be a pleasant experience. The desired soothing effect will be absent, and the taste, unpleasant.  We all know how hard it is to give our pets meds that taste icky!

You can’t check the quality of male strains by consuming them. So you have to use other methods to find out which plant you can use as a fertilizer. That can be a daunting task, as you can spot a large number of ‘guys’ on a single plantation. An aggravating circumstance may be that even some female plants may exhibit some male characteristics temporarily (stress response).

See the source below to find out why having males too close to ladies is not desirable:

https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/seeded-seedless-cannabis-hemp-fiber-seed-oil-cbd-needs/

Physical Characteristics

Hemp is an annual plant, which in its short lifespan, needs to do many things. That is why its growth is intense, and it happens when the days are long and warm. During the growth phase, pay attention to how the stems develop. This way, you will easily spot male members of this species and know how to choose quality specimens.

Male plants don’t have cannabinoid production activity. That is why they use all their energy into developing physics, that is, into the stem. These specimens are generally taller and thicker than females, but this is not a desirable characteristic for fertilization.

Look for stalks that are not too tall and have fewer leaves. Such plants can develop buds and contain some amount of cannabinoids, which means they are good candidates for fertilizers. Also, the stems should be firm, and the buds densely-packed. Eliminate males that are full of spongy fibers and airy buds. Strong, hollow stems indicate a higher percentage of THC content in male plants.

Sniff It

Well, that’s what your dog would do!  The intense, pleasant smell of the cannabis plant indicates the desired amount of terpenes in them. This substance gives a characteristic scent and aroma to buds and CBD products. Odorless or smelly males are not good fertilizers. If you fertilize ladies with pollen from stinky male plants, the buds’ quality and aroma won’t be pleasing.

Early Flowering Is a No-No

After the growth phase, the next stage in hemp’s life is blooming. It usually begins when the nights get longer than the day. Some males tend to bloom earlier, which is not a desirable feature in fertilizers. The problem is that these strains can turn into hermaphrodites. Then, they will waste pollen on self-fertilization. More on the issue of hermaphroditism read here.

Male individuals are very potent, and if pollen scattering is not prevented, they can pollinate an entire field of female hemp. Buds obtained from such plants are of the lowest quality because they are rich in seeds. But female strains do need a man. With controlled fertilization, you can get the most of both sides.

The post Which Male Hemp Flower Plant is Good Breeding Material appeared first on Pet Safety Crusader.

Did you know that animals can benefit from cannabis however, giving your pets psychoactive substances is not and will never be a good idea. I am talking about something similar yet completely different.  Giving your dog or cat CBD products made from a safe compound derived from the hemp plant is something Holistic veterinarians are for, so this is causing researchers to direct their attention towards industrial hemp and its beneficial use for animals.

Hemp defined: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp

What Is It Exactly?

To some it may seem controversial to put animals and hemp in the same sentence. It was once also controversial to talk about humans and medical marijuana. That is, until it was found to be helpful and beneficial for health.  Discovering the advantages of this product in the treatment of certain diseases that people suffer from, has led to an increased interest in the plant. Since our pets can be affected by many of the same illnesses, it seems wise to inspect the use of the plant in regards to how it may help our companion pets. If it can be useful for us, why wouldn’t we check if it can also be useful for our little friends?

It is important to differentiate between two facts:  Hemp is not the same plant that is used in the production of marijuana and hashish!   In fact, hemp is cultivated for its edible seeds. It has a really small concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is actually in charge of producing psychoactive effect in people. Plus, that is not the compound extracted from the plant in order to be used in animal treats, creams, and oils. Furthermore, hemp is widely known for its bast fibers that are used for making fabric and rope.

If hemp oil is not made from THC, then the next question is pretty clear. What is it made of? There is another compound found in the hemp plant, known as cannabidio, it has proved to have zero psychoactive properties. What’s even more important, it has proved to have healing properties.

How Does It Work?

Are you familiar with the endocannabinoid system? Our pets also have one. As you can see, it is named after the plant that is responsible for its discovery.  The endocannabinoid system consists of receptors spread throughout the body, ours and our animal friends.  Some receptors can be found in the brain, glands and organs, while others exist in the regulatory cells of the immune system. It is crucial to keep the system working properly as a malfunction can lead to infection, the development of cancer cells, and also, auto-immune diseases.

When a problem is discovered in the endocannabinoid system of your pet, or when you want to take preventive measures, it is recommended to provide CBD supplements. As you can see at https://pethempcompany.com/, these supplements can be found in various forms.  One form is oil.

How To Administer Hemp Oil?

Hemp oil is administered in drops according to your pet’s age, weight and medical condition.  Placing the appropriate number of drops in your pet’s food or under her tongue takes little effort, while it can have a significant positive effect on the animal. Studies continue but have been showing promising results in hemp oil alleviating arthritis pain, as well as seizures, in dogs.

Naturally, before doing any of this on your own, you should consult a vet for the proper dosage. You need to know how many times a day to administer the hemp, and if you should gradually increase the dosage. Usually, an improvement in your pet’s well-being should be visible after the first week.

Does It Have Any Side Effects?

A few things are as important to the safety of your pet.   Your dog of cat, like you,  is a living being, part of the family, and you are the one responsible for his or her welfare, comfort and security.  As mentioned before, this product has no psychoactive properties, so it won’t impact animals the way THC impacts humans. Just be sure to read labels and get advice from your veterinarian.

But, what about side effects? Research hasn’t shown any significant side effects from hemp.  It is non-toxic and is considered completely safe when properly used.  Still, do your research and talk to your vet before deciding to use hemp oil as a supplement for your precious pet. When taken the wrong way, any medicine can have slightly negative impacts, so consult a professional who can provide you peace of mind, knowing that your pet is getting the best possible care.

The post Hemp Supplements For Pets: How Does Hemp Oil Work? appeared first on Pet Safety Crusader.