Seaweed is a food that is gaining popularity in more and more cultures these days. This macroalgae is versatile, and good in sushi, kimbap, and ramen. It is commonly used in east Asian cuisine; mainly Japanese and South Korean.
Many people do not know how healthy this delicious ingredient is. And seaweed sheets are widely available in local markets and grocery stores. But you may wonder, does the same apply to our furry friends. Can dogs eat seaweed?
In this article, we will tell you whether seaweed is safe for dogs. We will tell you if this food has health benefits or harmful effects on our dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Seaweed?
The short answer is yes. Dogs can eat seaweed. Seaweed is a safe food for dogs.
Even though many types of foods are not suitable for dogs, such as grapes, bones, and chocolate, seaweed is not one of them. Seaweed is beneficial for our furry pups, since it contains a number of healthy vitamins and minerals for them.
What are the Benefits of Seafood for Dogs?
Seaweed is rich in certain minerals and vitamins. It is rich in Vitamin B12 (nori seaweeds), protein, iodine, iron, magnesium, and Omega 3.
The following lists the primary nutrients in seaweed and their practical function for dogs health:
- Certain seaweeds such as Nori are rich in Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 promotes good cognitive function.
- Protein, an essential nutrient that can contribute to muscle development and tissue repair.
- Iodine, essential for a dog’s thyroid health.
- Iron, a mineral that helps in carrying in the hemoglobin of red blood cells.
- Magnesium, this regulates metabolism. It also helps in a dog’s neurotransmission.
- Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in seaweed. Omega-3 fatty acids have a lot of benefits for dogs including healthy kidney function, prevention of heart disease, decreasing inflammation; it can make a dog’s coat and skin shiny and moisturized.
Dogs can eat many kinds of seaweed such as nori and kelp. Both have great benefits for dogs.
However, seaweed is not always healthy and suitable for dogs.
Precautions of Feeding Seaweed to Dogs
Seaweed with too many seasonings such as salt or teriyaki flavoring can be harmful to our furry pups. So it is best to ensure the seaweed is plain and unseasoned before feeding it to dogs.
Certain seaweeds also contain ingredients like garlic or onion powder. Seasoned seaweeds are a common snack item these days. So it is best to look for plain seaweed sheets.
Wild seaweed found on the beach is also bad for dogs. Once wild seaweed dries up and shrinks and a dog eats it, it will absorb water from the dog’s body and will expand the digestive system. Thus, it can create a blockage that can be potentially fatal for dogs.
Wild seaweed can also contain pollutants and critters which can be harmful for dogs and humans too. We recommend avoiding harvesting your own seaweed, and make sure you buy it from a food market or grocery store instead.
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs
This article is part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?”
