Can dogs eat seaweed? Is it true that dogs can eat seaweed? If your dog loves fresh fish, you are probably wondering what the difference is between dog food that contains fish and dog food that contains seaweed. The answer is that the two foods can share the same nutrients, but each food has different nutrients. Let’s start by looking at some of the ingredients commonly found in both dog and human nutrition. Dogs can get all of the vitamins and minerals that are needed for healthy bones and teeth. In particular, Nori seaweed tends to be a rich source of vitamin B12, improving joint health in dogs.
Of course, the quality of commercially prepared dog food had improved since the 1950s, when researchers began studying commercially processed dog food’s nutritional benefits. Today, most brands contain some degree of added vitamins and minerals and antioxidants, and other ingredients that positively affect health. However, most commercially prepared foods are not nearly as good as they used to be. Companies rely on cheaper ingredients and shortcuts such as chemical preservatives and antibiotics to make their foods healthier and profitable. Unfortunately, the results are often disastrous. Companies still can not produce canned dog food that is healthier than the food containing seaweed from the islands.
The thing that surprised me the most was that dogs could eat seaweed from the islands abundant in fish but very poor in carrageenan. It took me a while to understand why I would see copra in dog food, which is a very high level of concentrated sugar that makes it very difficult for the body to digest. But, carrageenan is much worse.
Can Dogs Eat Seaweed? Most Asked Question and Facts About This Topic
The new food that I found containing seaweed has only trace amounts of carrageenan, which is also called “black gold” because it is rich in antioxidant content. The antioxidants improve the liver’s ability to remove excess fatty deposits, lower the dog’s cholesterol levels, and enhance energy levels. The energy levels are increased because the liver can process and use the extra energy. However, the best thing about the new food is that it includes minerals that improve canine brain health and help prevent certain types of cancer, such as renal cell carcinoma. Carrageenan is also a good source of amino acids that help support the immune system and improve mental and physical health.
When I read that dogs can eat seaweed from the islands, I was relieved, but I was disappointed that it included just trace amounts of the nutrient my pet needs to be healthy. To make matters worse, the company that manufactured the dog food had included carrageenan in small doses. In other words, there may have been a tiny amount, but my dog would have had a tough time digesting it and absorbing it entirely. If a manufacturer uses carrageenan in higher quantities, it can positively affect the dog, but not in the amounts that the FDA requires. To get my point across to people, I have included a link at the end of this article that will take you to a website that will show you why I think the ingredient should never be used in pet foods. There is also information at the bottom of this article that will tell you how to shop for dog foods with carrageenan in them.
As a side note, if you don’t believe in the effectiveness of seaweed in healing your canine, you might want to consider adding a high-grade iodine supplement to your diet. Iodine is essential for proper thyroid function, which is one of the primary reasons dogs develop allergies in the first place. There are several high-grade iodine supplements on the market, but please note that there are some supplements out there that contain only 95% iodine! To find a quality iodine supplement, always read labels and check with your veterinarian.
