Comings and Goings

Comings & Goings: Utah company, Healthy Hemp Pets, makes CBD-rich dog biscuits

By Sophie Silverstone

And no, your dog will not get high. Your dog will, however, probably want more.

-by Sophie Silverstone

Dave Merrell, founder and CEO, needed an effective veterinary supplement for his dog, who was prescribed Rimadyl for her hip dysplasia. After a particularly disgruntling experience with a poorly labeled and ineffective product claiming to be the “1st CBD dog biscuit,” Merrell decided, “Hey, I could do this better.” Through extensive research on industrial hemp oil suppliers from Europe to China, he finally found a reliable high-grade hemp oil in Colorado, at Whole Hemp Company.

Hemp, unlike marijuana, is high in CBDs (cannabidiol), and low in the psychoactive constituent of cannabis, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Medicinal uses for CBDs became well-known from the “Charlotte’s Web” story when Colorado parents Paige and Matt Figi, desperate for a better treatment for their infant daughter Charlotte’s persisting seizures, were shocked to find how CGD-rich oil, extracted from a certain strain of medical marijuana, reduced the frequency of her seizures from a couple times per hour to two or three times per month.

Healthy Hemp Pet Company, dedicated to being 100% legal, uses what is defined as “Industrial Hemp,” and is legal under the Farm Bill of 2013. To be classified as industrial hemp means a THC level of less than 0.3%.

It’s tricky to claim the health benefits of CBDs, besides being a good source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals that aid tissue repair, since CBDs are still undergoing clinical studies. Merrell can, however, tell you about all the good feedback he’s been getting from customers on their website.

The biscuits also contain other ingredients that are tasty for dogs and help joint health such as greenlipped mussels, wild Alaskan salmon oil, tapioca, sweet potatoes and ground peas.

McGregor, the CATALYST resident dog, is infamous for his snobbish ways with food and his hermit tendencies. However, when we gave him one treat, he came out from under Greta’s desk, looking hopeful for more.

Find Healthy Hemp Biscuits at Ma & Paws Bakery (Millcreek), Healthy Pets Mountain West (Cottonwood Heights), Love Your Pet (Park City) and online: HealthyHempPet.com.