Are hemp oil and CBD oil the same thing?

You're standing in a store or scrolling through an online shop, and there they are side by side: one labeled “hemp oil,” the other “CBD oil.” They sound almost the same, but often have very different prices, and suddenly you're not sure anymore what your dog actually needs.

Don't worry—it happens to a lot of people. These two oils are constantly confused with one another, even though they're actually two completely different things. We'll break it down for you here so that, by the end, you'll know exactly which oil is right for your needs.

The Difference Between Hemp Oil and CBD Oil: Why They're Not the Same Thing

Both oils come from the same plant, hemp. That’s precisely why there’s so much confusion. The key difference, however, isn’t the plant itself, but rather which part of it is used and what ultimately ends up in the bottle.

In a nutshell: Hemp oil is a pure cooking oil made from the seeds of the plant and contains virtually no CBD. CBD oil, on the other hand, contains the active ingredient CBD from the hemp plant. So the name “hemp oil” says nothing about CBD, even though it might sound like it does.

If there’s one thing you should remember, it’s this: If the label says “hemp oil” or “hemp seed oil,” it’s for cooking and nutrition. If the label says “CBD oil,” it’s about the active ingredient CBD and, for example, supporting your dog’s daily life.

What exactly is hemp oil?

Hemp oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of the hemp plant, much like flaxseed or canola oil. It’s a traditional foodstuff and is mainly used in cooking.

Hemp oil is still valuable, just in a different way. The seeds contain nutrients that make it a popular cooking oil:

• Unsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6 in a balanced ratio.
• Vitamin E, which many people know as a cell protector.
• Various minerals from the seed.

However, CBD is practically nonexistent in hemp oil. That’s because the active ingredient isn’t found in the seeds, but in the plant’s flowers and leaves. That’s why, no matter how much pure hemp oil you give, it won’t replace CBD oil.

What is hemp oil used for?

Hemp oil is an edible oil, not something reserved for special occasions. You can mix a dash of it into your dog’s food, just as many owners do when using it as a supplement in their dog’s bowl. It’s not suitable for high-heat cooking because its sensitive fatty acids don’t tolerate heat well.

In short: Hemp oil is a good choice if you're looking to add nutrients to your dog's food. It's not intended for issues like anxiety or inner calm, because it simply lacks the active ingredient needed for that.

What exactly is CBD oil?

CBD oil contains cannabidiol—CBD for short—a natural active ingredient derived from the hemp plant. That's exactly what this is all about, and that's exactly what pure hemp oil lacks.

CBD does not have an intoxicating effect. THC, another compound found in the plant, is what causes intoxication. In a reputable CBD oil for pets, the THC content is less than 0.2 percent, so your dog won’t get “high” from it.

The reason CBD can have any effect at all lies within your dog’s own body. Like almost all animals, dogs have an endocannabinoid system—a delicate network of the body’s own messenger substances that helps maintain balance in many ways. Think of it as an internal “body police force” that makes sure everything stays in balance. CBD gently supports this system.

How is nacani's CBD oil different?

Now it gets interesting, because not all CBD oils are created equal. Most oils on the market consist of a small amount of CBD extract that is mixed into a carrier oil, such as sunflower or coconut oil. So the active ingredient comes from the plant, but the rest of the bottle does not.

We’ve consciously chosen a different path. Our oil is 100 percent pure hemp juice, extracted directly from the freshly pressed plant, with no carrier oil and no chemical additives. This preserves the full synergy of the plant’s natural compounds—what’s known as the full spectrum. Experts refer to this as the entourage effect, because these compounds work more effectively together than they do individually.

For you, this means there’s one major difference between hemp oil and CBD oil, and a second difference between an extract in a carrier oil and pure hemp juice. We’ve explained in detail exactly how full-spectrum CBD oil and the entourage effect work in our guide to full-spectrum CBD oil.

Hemp Oil or CBD Oil: Which One Is Right for You?

The honest answer is: It depends on what you're looking for. Both oils have their place, but for very different occasions.

• Want to add healthy fatty acids and nutrients to your pet's food? Then pure hemp oil from the grocery store is the easy choice.
• Are you looking for a natural companion for exciting moments—like New Year’s Eve, during a thunderstorm, or on long car rides? Then you need some CBD oil.

It’s important to remember that CBD oil is a dietary supplement, not a medication. It supports your dog’s daily life and promotes their well-being in a natural way, but it is not a solution to a health problem.

What should you look for when buying CBD oil?

When buying CBD oil, it’s worth taking a closer look at the label. These four points will help you tell a high-quality oil from a low-quality one:

• Full-spectrum vs. isolate: A full-spectrum oil contains the natural synergy of the plant compounds. Pure isolates lack this synergy.
• THC below 0.2 percent: A reputable oil for animals reliably maintains this level, so no intoxicating effects are to be expected.
• Transparent lab analysis: It should be clear what’s actually in the CBD oil. If you have nothing to hide, you’ll make the analysis public.
• Carrier oil or pure hemp juice: Check to see if the active ingredient has simply been mixed with a carrier oil or if you're getting pure hemp juice.

Here's a quick practical tip: If you want to figure out how much oil is right for your dog based on its weight and needs, our dosage calculator can help you in just a few seconds.

Common Misconceptions About Hemp

There are a few persistent misconceptions surrounding hemp. Here are the three we encounter most often:

“Full-spectrum oil is okay for cats, too.” Absolutely not. The reason is the terpenes it contains, which cats cannot metabolize. This isn’t due to the CBD itself, but rather to these natural compounds found in the plant. The hemp plant is processed in its entirety—leaves, stems, and seeds. This preserves the full spectrum of the hemp plant at the highest quality and ensures optimal absorption of the active ingredient.

“Hemp oil and CBD oil are the same thing.” They’re not. Hemp oil comes from the seeds and contains virtually no CBD, while CBD oil derives its active ingredient from the flowers and leaves.

“If it contains hemp, it gets you high.” No. To get high, you’d need THC, and in reputable oils for animals, the THC content is less than 0.2 percent.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Difference Between Hemp Oil and CBD Oil