Hemp Seed Oil v. Fish Oils

[mummummum]

Just wondering if anyone has done any anecdotal or formal research on the digestibility and the Omega 3-6 implacement efficacy of Hemp Seed Oil versus fish oils.

[Scott_B]

No research, but I think fish oils are more natural. For us, either would do, but for our pets, I'm not sure how they would get hemp oil in the wild.

[gypsy_girl]

Hemp oil contains 57% linoleic (LA) and 19% linolenic (LNA) acids. Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) occur naturally in the fat of cold-water fish like sardines, mackerel, salmon, bluefish, herring, and, to a lesser extent, tuna.
I prefer a mix of both, and I think the research that I found suggests that digestibility is that same for either. I like the EPA and DHA in fish oil.
I can dig out the research if you like.... Could be long and technical as I think it came from the NRC book, or Canine amd Feline Nutrition from Case Carey and Hirakawa

[mummummum]

Thanks to the both of you ! Actually Gypsy_Girl if you could dig out your links that would be great (no worries about reading tech stuff). If you don't have have a link but can point me in the direction of the right journal, I can suss it out myself. The only studies I could find were for 2 legged's and they all seemed to conclude (as you noted) that Hemp is on par with fish oils and better than other 3-6 sources.

Two of my three (the usual suspects) are off their supplements and I'm thinking maybe Hemp Oil might be an answer. Finicky little *darlings* .

[gypsy_girl]

Hi mummummum

Okay found LOTS of information, and I can scan what it pertinent to you, and then forward. There is a section on humans versus pets, and then a seperate section for dogs and then cats, and then subsections for maintenance, growth, gestation etc. Can you be more specific? All of these pages scanned would be around 15 pages, perhaps if I could narrow it down to just maintenance???...

[mummummum]

That's so generous of you !!! Pets, maintenance ( ain't nobody gestating in my house thank dawg!! and the only growth is out not up hehe). THANK YOU !!

[gypsy_girl]

Will get it for you next week and you are welcome!

[Prin]

I don't know about hemp seed oil, but I do give wild salmon oil (biologic vet "Fats" supplement). It works quickly. It's a little salty, I guess, and their drinking increases the more you put on. We put about 1/5 of the recommended dose and it's plenty.

I agree with Scott too.. IMO, their digestive systems can handle it better than a plant oil, mainly because dogs can't break omegas into EPA and DHA very easily, so the more they are already present, the more the dog will benefit (or so I've heard).

[mummummum]

I hear ya Prin (and Scott !) but the few abstracts and full studies I came across or could get access to, indicate that hemp and fish oils are digested and used about equally. If this is the case, I would rather buy hemp oil ~save fish & create a market for former tobacco farmers to become organic hemp farmers (optimal soil and climate conditions are like).