We love our dogs, and that makes us want to want to share almost everything with them — from our bedroom, our belongings, up to the food we eat.
What if your dog sees sea kelp and attempts to eat it? Should you just let him be, or should you stop him?
As it turns out, sea kelp, once harvested, dried, and processed, can help give your dog the nourishment he needs as long as you take the necessary precautions.
When can you give your dog sea kelp, and when should you avoid giving it to him?
What are Sea Kelps?
Most people get confused about what sea kelp is, so to simplify it, sea kelp is one type of seaweed, and seaweeds are a type of sea algae.
You will find sea kelps along calm and rocky shores. Some forests grow underwater, just as they do on land.
These plant hubs are comprised of sea kelps or large brown algae that are believed to exist for approximately 5 million years.
Some of these sea kelps can grow up to 2 feet daily and tops up at over 200 feet tall.
Kelp serves as a shelter for underwater organisms and as food for those who live above the water.
Where can you find sea kelps?
There are over 10,000 species of seaweed, and according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, there are approximately 30 million tons of farmed seaweed produced globally.
Sea kelps prefer calm, shallow, and clear waters near the rocky shorelines, making this more common in New England, Pacific Northwest, Iceland, Japan, Korea, and China.
What are sea kelps comprised of?
Kelps are low in calories and jampacked with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Since it is found in the sea, these kelps are rich in iodine and calcium, and more people have been adding dried kelp to their salads, soups, smoothies and infusing it in meat to get that natural salty flavor without having to use too much salt.
Is Kelp Safe for Dogs?
Kelp is safe for your furry friend, but only when given at the right amounts.
However, you have to be careful in adding sea kelp to your dog’s diet because adding too much can be harmful to their health.
Today, many pet food manufacturing companies are using kelp to balance their formulations.
To ensure that you do not over administer it, always take time to check the label of your dog’s food first to see if it already contains kelp.
Benefits of Sea Kelp for Dogs
Small amounts of sea kelp can help your furry friend in a variety of ways, such as:
- Decreasing the amount of tartar and calculus formed on the teeth of your dog
- Supporting skin health, especially for dogs with coat or nose pigment issues which are caused by low functioning in the thyroid
- It helps boost a dog’s iodine levels and support their thyroid function.
Risks of kelp for your dog
Adding small amounts of kelp to your dog’s diet may be healthy.
However, adding in too much is dangerous for your dog’s health.
Iodine is essential for the healthy functioning of the thyroid.
However, having too much iodine can induce hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the body overproduces thyroxine.
This hormone can cause drastic weight loss and other underlying health issues.
Aside from that, do not believe in false claims stating that kelps can cure almost anything — from fleas to performing life-changing miracles.
If your dog has a disease or a health concern, make sure to consult the vet and do not overfeed your dog with kelp.
Otherwise, their condition may only get worse.
How to feed your dog kelp
Nowadays, there are many available kelp products on the market – from powder-filled capsules, tablets, soft chewable, kelp noodles, up to a considerable amount of kelp powders in a bag.
You may also see kelp as an ingredient in dog treats and dog food.
If you use kelp powder, you can mix it in your furry friend’s food, primarily if you feed your dog with home-cooked and vet-approved meals.
The safest amount of kelp you can use depends on your dog’s size.
For instance, if your dog is a large breed, giving them ¼ teaspoon daily can be considered safe, but you have to make sure not to go any higher than that.
For smaller dogs, ⅛ teaspoon daily should not be a problem.
However, if your dog is taking medications for hyperthyroidism, make sure to consult a vet first before feeding your dog any amount of sea kelp.
Where to buy kelp for your dog
There are various kelps for dogs in pet stores worldwide, but if you have problems locating one, you can always give your dog some kelp products made for humans.
In looking for a kelp product, make sure to look for the least processed one and avoid those containing added salt and oil.
Look for a kelp product that has been certified as “organic.”
You can share that kelp powder you are keeping in your cupboard with your pet – make sure that you will share it in the correct dose.
Feeding your dog sea kelp would depend on your dog’s condition and on how they are built.
For larger dogs, you can give at least ¼ teaspoon of kelp powder daily mixed with their food, while for smaller dogs, you can mix ⅛ teaspoon of kelp powder in their meal.
Just make sure to consult a vet first before feeding kelp to your dog to ensure that they will be in safe hands.
Note that dogs who are suffering from hyperthyroidism should not be given kelp at all.
Remember — when in doubt, take a trip to the vet first and have your dog checked for any underlying complications they may have.