Hemp Oil vs CBD Oil for Cats: Reading the Label Before You Buy
Two bottles can both be sold as hemp oil for cats and hold different things. One is hemp seed oil, a fat pressed from the seeds of the hemp plant. The other is a hemp extract mixed into a carrier oil, sold as CBD oil, with a CBD amount printed on the label.
The front panel rarely settles which one you are holding. The rest of the label and the seller’s lab report do, in three places: the ingredient list, the milligram figure and the batch lab report.
Key takeaways
- “Hemp oil” can refer to seed oil or hemp extract; check the ingredient list.
- A CBD amount is a product-label fact, not a serving recommendation.
- Match the lot number on the package to the laboratory report before relying on its figures.
Hemp Oil for Cats: Two Products Under One Name
Both oils come from Cannabis sativa. What separates them is the part of the plant they start from.
Hemp seed oil starts with the seed. In 2018, FDA reviewed hemp seed oil, hulled hemp seed and hemp seed protein as ingredients for human food. The agency noted that the seeds themselves do not naturally contain THC. Seed ingredients carry only trace amounts of THC and CBD, picked up from other parts of the plant during harvesting and processing.
A CBD oil starts with an extract of the plant material where cannabinoids are made. That extract is then blended into an oil so it can be measured out with a dropper.
| Hemp seed oil | CBD oil | |
|---|---|---|
| Starts from | Pressed hemp seeds | Hemp extract |
| Cannabinoids | Trace amounts at most | CBD amount stated on the label |
| Ingredient line | Hemp seed oil | Hemp extract or CBD, plus a carrier oil |
| What it is | A food fat | A cannabinoid product |
What Hemp Seed Oil Is
Hemp seed oil is a plant oil, made mostly of fat. Because it is pressed from seeds, it is not a source of CBD. A bottle that lists only hemp seed oil and gives no cannabinoid amount is a seed oil, whatever the front of the bottle says.
FDA’s 2018 response on hemp seed ingredients concerned intended uses in human food. It should not be presented as approval of a pet product.
A human-food assessment is not a finding about suitability for a dog or cat. If you are considering an oil for your pet’s food, bring its label to your veterinarian to discuss the complete diet.
Hemp Extract and Carrier Oil: What a CBD Bottle Holds
A CBD oil for cats usually has two parts. The first is a hemp extract that carries the cannabinoids. The second is a carrier oil that holds the extract and makes up most of the liquid.
Carrier oils differ between products. Check the complete ingredient list to identify the oil carrying the hemp extract, including any additional flavorings or ingredients.
A carrier can even be hemp seed oil. In that case the bottle contains seed oil and is still a CBD oil, because the CBD comes from the extract mixed into it. This is the main reason the word hemp on a front panel tells you so little.
Extracts also differ in what they keep from the plant. A full spectrum extract keeps other cannabinoids alongside CBD, and that can include a small amount of THC. Check the extract description on the exact product label and its matching batch report; do not assume every formula or batch has the same cannabinoid profile.
Three Checks That Answer the Question
None of them is the front panel.
The Ingredient List
Front panels use the words hemp oil for both products. The ingredient list is more specific.
A seed oil appears as hemp seed oil or hempseed oil. A CBD product names an extract, such as hemp extract or full spectrum hemp extract, or names CBD directly. The carrier oil usually appears beside it.
The CBD Amount
A CBD oil states how much CBD the bottle holds, usually as a total in milligrams. Some labels also give the bottle volume or a drop count, which lets you see how the total is spread through the liquid. A seed oil has no CBD amount to print.
The figure describes what is in the bottle. It is not a measure of how a product will act in a particular cat, and a larger number is not a sign of a better product.
The Batch Lab Report
A CBD product should have a batch lab report, often called a certificate of analysis. The cannabinoid table answers the seed oil question. It lists each cannabinoid the lab tested for, and each row shows a measured result, ND (not detected) or less than LOQ (below the lowest amount the lab can quantify).
A report describes the sample that was tested. It is a record of measurements, not a promise about another bottle or about any cat.
Reading the Bailey’s Cat Oil Label
Here is what the three checks show for Bailey’s CBD Oil for Cats.
Bailey’s CBD Oil for Cats is listed as a 100 mg product in a 15 ml bottle. Its current product description names full-spectrum hemp extract and coconut-derived MCT oil. Hemp seed oil is not named as the carrier in that description. Confirm the exact wording on your bottle as formulas and labels can change.
Bailey’s posts reports on its lab results page. Use the product name, strength and lot number on your package to identify the matching report. Ask Bailey’s if you cannot establish the match.
Match the report to your bottle before relying on its figures. If the label and report do not clearly match, ask Bailey’s to identify the correct report.
The package total does not tell you what amount, if any, is appropriate for your cat. Bring the label and report to your veterinarian before use.
Hemp Oil Safety Questions for Your Veterinarian
No label or laboratory report can establish that a hemp product is appropriate for a particular cat. FDA has not approved cannabis for use in animals and recommends discussing options with your veterinarian.
Bring the bottle, full ingredient list and matching batch report, together with a list of your cat’s medicines and other products. If your cat has eaten a cannabis product made for people, contact your veterinarian promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hemp Seed Oil Contain CBD?
Only trace amounts. FDA notes that hemp seeds do not naturally contain THC, and that hemp seed ingredients carry only traces of THC and CBD picked up during harvesting and processing. A label that prints a CBD amount in milligrams is describing an extract, not a seed oil.
Is Bailey’s Cat Oil Made With Hemp Seed Oil?
The current product description names full-spectrum hemp extract and coconut-derived MCT oil. It does not name hemp seed oil as the carrier. Check the exact bottle label if you need to confirm its ingredients.
Where Can I Find the Lab Report for the Cat Oil?
Use the cat oil entry on Bailey’s lab results page. Match the product, strength and lot number to your bottle; ask Bailey’s for help if the correct report is unclear.
Before You Buy Either One
If you are considering a seed oil as an addition to your cat’s food, start with your veterinarian and the complete diet. A human-food assessment does not establish suitability for your cat.
If you want a CBD product, the label should name the extract and print the CBD amount, and the seller should post a batch report you can open. A bottle that comes with none of these has not told you what is in it. Ask the seller before you buy, then take the label and the report to your veterinarian.
Customer reviews
Read Bailey’s customer reviews on Trustpilot. Reviews describe individual experiences and do not establish product effects or suitability for your pet.
These products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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