From soups to smoothies to salads, we humans love Seaweed and the punch of flavor it gives to our food. Containing a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, Seaweed is super nutritious and highly beneficial for us humans. But, is it also suitable for dogs? Does it give the same benefits to the dogs? Or is it one of those food items that are beneficial for humans but hazardous for our furry friends?
All of us love to find new snacks for the dogs. With new things coming into the market every day, there is a hype about seaweed-everything! Talking about Seaweed, many people wish to feed their dogs seaweed snacks just because this ocean vegetable is healthy and nutritious, but is it safe for the four-legged members of our family?
Let’s find out by looking at certain aspects of Seaweed and gathering if seaweed snacks should be served to the dogs.
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Seaweed for Dogs
A dog typically sniffs around and sneaks and eats whatever they find on the floor. They get some unusual kind of pleasure in eating human food. And some of the dog parents too have a habit of feeding everything they have to their dogs. But, can your dog join you while you enjoy this sumptuous ocean vegetable?
The answer to this is YES, but in extremely moderate amounts. Seaweed is considered to be a superfood as it consists of 60 beneficial vitamins and minerals along with 21 amino acids. This ocean vegetable is a complex carbohydrate that will act as bliss for your dog’s health.
Moreover, this vegetable is one of the easily digestible vegetables out there, so this won’t even cause any intestinal or digestive issues. Containing loads of proteins, this can be a great supplement for your pup or dog. In addition, seaweed is also amazing for the dog’s fur and skin.
However, not all kinds of seaweeds can be fed to the dog. Dogs should keep a distance from dried and wild seaweed. Dried seaweed is nothing but seaweed in a dry and dehydrated form. The reason why it is so bad for your dog is that it will expand in the stomach, causing a lot of digestive issues and can also lead to blockages in the intestine.
Whereas seaweed found on the beach is also super deadly if given to the dog. It can also block the blood supply making this superfood just the opposite for your furry member. Also, these seaweeds which are found on the beach contain pollutants and critters that your dog should never be eating.
Some people might think that seaweed is high in salt value, but the truth is natural seaweed is naturally salty because of the mineral in it, but actually, it is extremely low in salt. This factor makes it a great vegetable for your dog.
Seaweed Snacks for Dogs
Just like seaweed, seaweed snacks can also be given to your dogs. But with a few exceptions. Seaweed snacks are delicious and wholesome for your pet dog. But, do make sure that it does not contain any garlic or onion, as these two components might not be so good for the dog.
However, commercially produced seaweed snacks are safe for all dogs, but one should proceed with caution. Make sure the snacks that you are giving to your beloved dog are seasoning-free and low in salt. In fact, any high salt value snacks should be avoided when it comes to dogs.
Like seaweed, the snacks made from them are rich in iron, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and iodine. So, if you are someone who loves their seaweed snacks, you can always share them a little bit with your dog.
Having said that, one must always make sure that these snacks and vegetables should be given in significantly fewer quantities, and prior approval must be taken from the dog’s vet. Moreover, after you feed your dogs such as snacks and vegetables, always keep a check on their health. Sometimes, extremely nutritious things might not be so good for the dog because of some allergy that you might even know of.
In such cases, always look out for symptoms like:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Lose motions
- Dizziness
Ways To Add Seaweed In Your Dogs’ Diet
There are plenty of ways in which you can add seaweed to your dog’s food. A sprinkle of supplements made out of seaweed is the best way to add seaweed to your dog’s diet.
Another way is to give it in the exact form that you have it in as a part of a meal. Add it in its meal to give them a change so that they can relish their meal, and get all the benefits that seaweed has to offer.
But, one thing to remember is to make sure that you do not make it a daily practice. Giving such food items once in a while does the trick.
Benefits Of Seaweed And Seaweed Snacks For Dogs
Vets are loving the idea of providing your dog with nutrients in the form of seaweed. Seaweed is one of the most excellent sources of vitamins and minerals and is highly beneficial for your dog. This superfood also has a bunch of antioxidants and fatty acids like omega-3, which keeps our furry little members healthy and happy.
Other than this, seaweed also has anti-cancer and excellent anti-inflammatory properties. The nutrients in them help in making the coats of the dogs thicker, shinier, and healthier.
Some of the benefits also include seaweed being great in minerals that help the reproductive systems of the dogs and making them more resistant to infections. In addition, seaweed is also a great source of prebiotics which help good bacteria to grow inside the dog’s body, making it even healthier and fit as a fiddle.
Our Verdict
Like most vegetables and snacks made for humans, seaweed and seaweed snacks are great for dogs, but only if given in moderate quantities. A lot of seaweed snacks can give some reactions which, of course, you would not want. Hence, do indulge in giving your dog some seaweed, but make sure to consult the vet first, and always look out for allergic reactions, as it can be something that could be added to the “my dog is allergic to” list. Happy feeding!