Hemp Seed Cake as a Novel Ingredient for Dog's Diet

Abstract

In the last few years, the popularity of industrial hemp and its products is increased. From a nutritional point of view, hemp and its products are rich in protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and useful minerals. Nowadays, the European Commission authorizes the use of hempseed and hempseed oil co-products in animal nutrition. This study is aimed to evaluate the use of hempseed cake in dogs' nutrition, comparing the effect of the supplementation of two lipid sources: swine tallow (T-diet) and hempseed cake (H-diet). A double-blind nutritional trial was performed at a municipal kennel located in Naples. Eight crossbreed neutered dogs recognized in good health were recruited and divided into two homogeneous groups (T- vs. H-group). Both diets were analyzed for chemical composition and fatty acid profile. Blood count and biochemical profile were evaluated at recruitment (T0) and the end of the trial (T30). Oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids were the most representative fatty acids in both diets; however, the H-diet contains more than double concentration of linoleic and α-linoleic acids compared to the T-diet (p < 0.01). The H-diet has shown significantly (p < 0.01) higher peroxidation index as the only negative aspect, which could compromise its shelf-life. After 30 days of administration, the H-group has shown a significant (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) reduction of liver and renal markers [aspartate transferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and creatinine] and cholesterol, due to the healthier fatty acid profile. Hempseed cake seems a suggestable source of polyunsaturated fatty acids for dogs considering these preliminary results.

Comparative Evaluation of the Nutrients, Phytochemicals, and Antioxidant Activity of Two Hempseed Oils and Their Byproducts after Cold Pressing

“…According to our results, the main fatty acids in the HSM were linoleic (54.09−55.42%), α-linolenic (17.31−18.42%), and oleic (12.96−13.93%) acid, followed by palmitic (6.48−7.90%), stearic (3.18−3.86%), and γ-linolenic (2.61−2.76%) acid [ 18 ]. Similar results were obtained for several commercial HSOs from different industrial hemp varieties, with the main fatty acids (α-linoleic, α- and γ-linolenic, and oleic acid) alone representing 80–90% of the total fatty acids [ 24 , 25 , 33 , 42 , 45 , 46 ]. Longer chain fatty acids, i.e., C:20 or higher, were also detected, but their concentration was significantly lower according to our results [ 46 ].…”

“…Moreover, the European Commission has authorized the use of hempseed and co-products in animal nutrition as well. Indeed, as demonstrated by a recent in vivo study, hempseed cake is useful in dogs’ nutrition as it leads, after 30 days, to a reduction in liver and renal markers and cholesterol, due to the healthier fatty acid profile [ 42 ].…”

Evaluation of the Effect of Different Dietary Lipid Sources on Dogs’ Faecal Microbial Population and Activities

“…The probiotic bacteria BSH activity has often been related to a lower cholesterol level [ 54 ]. In this regard, in a previous study [ 13 ], the authors reported a reduction in transaminase and cholesterol in dogs fed hemp oil extraction residue as a source of lipids. Otherwise, the HL1 group’s faeces registered the highest Enterobacteria cell numbers.…”

“…In addition, hemp seed and hempseed cakes represent fat and protein sources for farm animals [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. On this matter, the residue of hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) oil processing could be a valid resource for lipids and essential fatty acids (LA and ALA) in dogs’ diets [ 13 ]. However, despite the authorization by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to use hemp seed and hempseed co-products as ingredients for all animal species [ 14 ], few data have been published in the literature concerning the use of hemp co-products as a source of PUFAs in pet food.…”

Diet Supplementation with Hemp (<em>Cannabis sativa L.</em>) Inflorescences: Effects on Quanti-Qualitative Milk Yield and Fatty Acid Profile in Grazing Goats

“…sativa has gained particular interest in the last years for its low content in tetrahydrocannabinol (THCA) (<0.2-0.3%), a chemical compound responsible for some psychoactive effects, which makes this cultivar suitable for legal cultivation in Europe [2]. For its nutritional characteristics this plant has been studied as feasible feed supplement in various animal species [3][4][5]. As a matter of fact, hemp is characterized by a great content in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) reaching almost the 80% of total fatty acids (FA), manly linoleic (LA) and alpha-linolenic acids (ALA) [6][7][8].…”