Does your pet have allergies? This is a topic we get asked about a lot. Yes, just like people, pets can suffer from allergies. There are three main types of allergies that can affect cats and dogs: food allergies, allergies to flea bites, and environmental allergies.

If your pet seems especially itchy, you may wonder whether (s)he’s suffering from allergies. There are additional signs to watch for, but scratching is the most common. The other signs of allergies in pets include:

• Compulsive paw licking is a common sign of allergies in dogs.
• Scratching and biting themselves to relieve itching can indicate allergies in pets.
• Rear scooting or licking the anal region is a symptom of histamine reaction in dogs.
• Skin infections are a serious sign and side effect of allergies, related to chronic scratching.
• Hair loss and increased shedding is a common sign of allergies in both cats and dogs.
• Pet dandruff is a common sign, since allergies severely dry the skin out in pets.
• Respiratory issues in cats are a sign of allergies. Cats are far more sensitive than dogs to environmental pollutants and poor air quality.
• Ear infections, particularly in dog breeds who have floppy ears such as hounds and cocker spaniels. The common sign is excessive head shaking and red, waxy ears.

Environmental allergies can be provoked by outdoor allergens such as grass or pollen or indoor ones like mold, dust mites or fabrics. Environmental allergies can be genetically inherited, and some dog breeds are more prone to allergies such as germen shepherds, cocker spaniels, bichon fries, golden retrievers, and labradors.

Limiting (and if possible preventing) exposure to pet allergens is key to managing allergies. Prescribed antihistamines and/or corticosteroids often help control symptoms, while specialty shampoos or other topical therapies minimize your pet’s itchiness and may reduce excessive scratching.

An at home allergy treatment that’s getting more attention recently is PCR hemp oil for treatment of allergies in pets. PCR hemp oil may reduce allergic reactions throughout the entire body, calms anxiety and reduces your pet’s need to chew and lick. As an anti-inflammatory, PCR hemp oil may also relieve systemic inflammation that causes hives, blisters, and whole-body itching in pets. Our CannaBalm is an all-natural salve that may soothe skin from rashes and ease allergy related discomfort. We’ve had customers report great success treating pet allergies with our CannaNatural and CannaDrops, which are a biscuit and liquid formulation. All our Healthy Hemp Pet Company products contain PCR hemp oil and other natural ingredients.

While allergies cannot be cured, there are many ways to help manage them to keep your pet more comfortable. If symptoms persist, consider a trip to your veterinarian for testing and a more serious treatment plan.

You may have noticed recently that we’ve changed what we are calling our hemp oil. We are now referring to it as organic full-spectrum terpene rich PCR hemp oil. We’ve always been a full transparency hemp company and will continue this even when our label designer is left scratching their head in confusion. 😉

To explain this change a little more, we thought a short Q&A with our founder, Dave, was in order to help you understand why this change is important, and to help you understand what organic full-spectrum terpene rich PCR hemp oil means.

 When looking for hemp oil what should you look for?

The first thing to always look for is where was it grown. Always choice hemp grown in the USA, it’s cleaner and not full of toxins like hemp from elsewhere. The next thing to watch for is how was the hemp extracted? You don’t want an extraction method that uses too many chemicals. Our preferred extraction method is Vapor Distillation, which is 100% chemical free. Are you able to find Certificates of Analysis for the hemp? As a full-disclosure company, we have COAs onsite for anyone to see at any time. And lastly, always choose a full-spectrum hemp oil.

What does full spectrum mean?

Full spectrum or whole plant extract is oil extracted from the hemp plant which contains all the cannabinoids found in the plant. In addition, Omega fatty acids, flavonoids, and terpenes are found in full-spectrum hemp oil. All good things that you want!

What does terpene rich mean?

Terpenes rich means that the whole plant is used in the extraction process and retains the terpenes which are fragrant compounds that give cannabis unique properties. Terpenes work synergistically to enhance the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids, resulting in an entourage effect. You should always buy a hemp oil product that has as many terpenes as possible.

Why choose PCR oil instead of CBD oil?

We get it, hemp terminology is confusing and seems to change often! PCR hemp oil has all of the tools (cannabinoids and terpenes) from a cannabis plant. Whereas CBD hemp oil is only one of the tools available, the cannabinoids. Opt for a PCR hemp oil to get all the benefits possible.

When checking label ingredients of hemp products what is the best hemp oil to look for?

There are three ways to extract hemp oil from the plant: ethanol, CO2, and Vapor Distillation. Vapor Distillation offers the cleanest extraction and uses zero chemicals, only heated hair. Look for how the hemp was extracted, look for a full-spectrum PCR hemp oil and when you can, choose organic!

We hope this helps explain why using organic full-spectrum terpene rich PCR hemp oil is so beneficial to your pets!

September is Happy Cat Month!

Created to spread the word about the health, happiness, welfare and value of companion cats. Cats are often viewed as self-reliant and less in need of medical care than other pets. This is simply not true! Cats deserve proper care, good nutrition, routine veterinary care and the ability to live a happy and enriched life.

Here are five ways you can improve your cat’s happiness:

Cat Health

Find out how frequently your vet clinic recommends coming in for wellness visits. This will depend on the age and condition of your feline friend, so be sure to ask. Make sure your feline is being seen regularly by your veterinarian. If your cat is taking medication(s), make sure they haven’t expired and aren’t missing doses. If you’re looking for holistic ways to treat your cat for a variety of conditions, check out our ground option for pets: CannaCrush. We also have Salmon CannaDrops and Salmon CannaSpray, both applications are great for felines!

Cat Identification

Verify that you have a correct address and phone number on your cat’s collar and tag. Consider Microchipping your cat as well. If your feline friend escapes or gets lost, having this type of permanent ID will make a reunion between you and your pet much more likely.

Cat Nutrition

Are you buying high quality cat food? Cats are carnivores and don’t always thrive on a grain only diet. Cats are the healthiest and happiest when they get protein-rich food. If your cat normally eats dry food, add some canned food as an extra treat! The canned cat food is higher in protein and comes with the benefit of extra hydration that cats need.

Cat Entertainment

Make sure your cat has spaces to explore, climb, and hide. You can even entertain your cat with television! Cats can also be walked on a leash with a harness. This helps so they can periodically and safely experience the world outside their window. If unable to walk your cat outdoors, consider setting up a perch near a window so they can see outside.

Cat Hunting

Yes, you read that correctly. It’s likely your pet eats out of a dish or bowel, which doesn’t encourage a cat’s natural hunting instinct. Consider finding a food toy that lets you hide dry cat food inside, so they can hunt for food.