Can dogs eat hemp seeds?

Hulled hemp seeds are the soft inner part of the seed with the crunchy shell removed. A small sprinkle over food is fine: a quarter of a teaspoon for a small dog, half a teaspoon for a medium dog and up to a teaspoon for a large dog, a few times a week.

Hemp hearts have about 550 calories per 100 g, so portions need to stay small.

Whole, unhulled hemp seeds have a hard shell and are more likely to pass through undigested or irritate the gut. Hemp seed oil is pure fat and should only be used if your vet suggests it, in a measured amount.

Food-grade hemp comes from varieties bred to contain only trace levels of THC. The seeds themselves contain almost none. Cannabis plants, cannabis edibles, vapes and oils can contain high THC levels, which cause wobbliness, dribbling urine, dilated pupils, sensitivity to sound and, in serious cases, collapse. Edibles are especially risky because they often also contain chocolate or xylitol.

CBD oils and treats made from hemp are widely sold for pets, but product quality and labelling vary, and some contain more THC than stated. Speak to your vet before giving any CBD product, particularly if your dog takes other medication.

Hemp seeds often appear in energy bars, granolas and seed mixes alongside raisins, chocolate and nuts. Check what else is in the product before letting your dog have any.