Why Okoa Pet Products are Made with Broad-Spectrum CBD.
A lot of science goes into the making of our products, so we understand that our formulas and the thinking behind them can sometimes feel complicated — especially if you’re new to CBD for pets. But fear not, that’s exactly why we’ve created this post for you: to make it easier to understand why we use broad-spectrum hemp in Okoa Pet products.
What’s the difference between full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and CBD Isolate?
Let’s start with the differences between full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate. Put simply, full-spectrum CBD means the whole plant. Broad-spectrum CBD, on the other hand, is the whole plant minus THC. In other words, broad-spectrum CBD is exactly the same as full-spectrum CBD except for the THC. CBD isolate is separate from those two in the sense that it is the individual CBD molecule that is one part of the plant. So, it’s also one part of both broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD. You can see this visualized in the image below:
We regularly conduct Q&As with our Veterinary Science Officer Dr. Rob, who is the veterinarian who custom-formulated our products. The question about full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD vs isolate CBD came up in a recent Q&A. Here’s what he had to say:
“Full-spectrum by definition is the full plant extract, which would include whatever was in the plant, including all of the THC. Broad-spectrum is the same thing, only the THC has been substantially reduced. It’s nearly impossible from a chemical standpoint to remove the THC completely, but we reduce it to just a whisper. Isolate is just one single isolated molecule. Basically, we believe that when you use the whole plant, whether it has the THC or not, that all of the cannabinoids, the terpenes, the minor cannabinoids, and the CBD work together in what’s called the entourage effect to produce a substantial benefit. We find in studies where we compare the whole plant extract to the isolate that you need higher doses of the isolate to get the same results because you get such good synergy with all the ingredients that are in the full-spectrum.”
Why THC-Free?
Now that you have an idea about the differences between broad-spectrum CBD, full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate, it’s good to come back to the fact that Okoa Pet products only use broad-spectrum hemp with naturally-occurring CBD ie. the whole plant minus the THC. Okoa Pet products are not only rich in CBD, but also other naturally-occurring minor cannabinoids including CBC, CBG, and CBN as well as terpenes. In short, our formulations provide all the benefits of the whole plant without THC. Why is that? Dr. Rob explains:
“Dogs, unlike all other species, have a really high concentration of cannabinoid receptors, which are the receptors for THC. These receptors govern balance, temperature regulation, and heart rate. So for dogs that have never been exposed to THC, getting it all of a sudden can potentially drive them to the ER. It’s something that a medical practitioner should be involved in, educating the pet owner on how to introduce THC to dogs in order for it to be safe. It’s something I’m trying to educate people about.“
So the reasoning behind using broad-spectrum hemp CDB for dogs is all about dogs’ uniquely high concentration of THC receptors. Ultimately, this makes them exceptionally receptive to THC. That’s why we want to be extra careful and only use broad-spectrum CBD. By using a broad-spectrum product, your pup can enjoy the benefits without risking the side effects.
Okoa Pet provides your pets with all-natural CBD-infused supplements formulated by a veterinarian that you can trust. We are always happy to answer any questions you have about our products, CBD for pets, or pet health in general. You can ask a question directly to our Veterinary Science Officer Dr. Rob during one of our Q&As or send us a question through our website or on social media.
