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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Benefits of Kelp for Dogs

Nori for your Dog

Back when we first adopted Dante he suffered from a multitude of allergies, he was constantly breaking out in itchy bumps, flaky dry skin, and/or suffering from runny poo.
We tried several different foods and slowly ruled out different ingredients, turns out he's allergic to Chicken! A problem that often hits large breeds for some reason.
But his skin still wasn't up to par so we began trying out different supplements and oils.

Fish Oil - Healthy skin and coat, decreased joint inflammation, increased stamina, decrease in shedding, reduces joint discomfort in older dogs, and can help reduce the risk of stroke or heart problems, aids in improving mental cognitive functions in senior dogs, and can help to lower blood pressure and triglycerides - triglycerides are a form of fat that is required for energy transportation through your pets body. Sometimes though these levels can be too high and have a negative outcome on your pet which can result in nerve and vision issues, seizures, pancreatitis and fatty skin patches. (Source)
Although fish oil is great for your pup it can fortunately give some dogs bad gas. This was the case for Dante and so the oil had to go!

Poor stinky boy..
Coconut Oil - I wrote about this wonderful oil HERE at the time though we didn't know it was such a good supplement. Now our dogs eat it on a semi-regular basis.

Kelp  - Many people are aware that kelp is great for humans, but it is also slowly being recognized by veterinarians and those who support a holistic approach to pet health. Seaweed/kelp is full of natural salts and minerals. Kelp is known for being iodine rich which can help to keep your pup's glandular system nice and healthy, especially the thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary glands.

 "This is in turn ensures your dog's metabolism works efficiently, which is an important element in maintaining healthy weight. If your pet has hypothyroidism, where the thyroid function slows down, kelp is recommended as a supplement to the standard thyroxine treatment usually prescribed by vets." (Source)

Some people also believe that kelp is a natural flea repellent if it's a part of your pet's regular diet. It also helps improve the condition of your dog's skin and coat.
Being high in iron kelp is heart healthy, it helps your dog to naturally strengthen their immune system - something to think about if you have a senior in your house, and due to the amino acids kelp is thought to help your dog heal from surgery quicker.


  1. Shinier coat, softer healthier skin
  2. Better digestion
  3. Increased natural immune system
  4. Quicker healing from injuries and surgery
  5. The Japanese claim kelp is a source of longevity!
  6. Safe for growing puppies
  7. Great for pregnant and lactating females due to the many vitamins - can help them to birth healthier pups with higher survival rates.
  8. Kelp is recognized as containing: Anti-cystic, anti rheumatic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
  9. Can help prevent high blood pressure
  10. Can help protect against kidney & bladder infections

We put Dante onto a supplement powder called "Kelp Help" you sprinkle it over the top of your dog's food. And Dante seemed to like it! This is not a paid promotional post, we purchased this from our local pet store and we've loved how it has helped Dante with his skin issues.
It really helped with his skin issues, and I loved all the vitamins - it's practically a daily multi vitamin for your pet! And since health is important to us and we participate in many outdoor activities we want to be active in preventing injuries in our dogs.



So the hubby and I love sushi....LOVE SUSHI.

We've started making sushi at home because we can eat as much as we want without spending one to two hundred dollars on a meal (ouch..but it was our anniversary so we had fun!).
And the hubby loves just munching on the nori sheets so he thought it'd be fun to give the dogs a bite, which ended up being really funny! We ended up letting the dogs take turns biting off a mouthful of the whole sheet!




Be careful to not over supplement your dog, high doses of too many vitamins and minerals can cause your dog to become very sick. Check the label to make sure you are getting high quality ingredients and to adjust your dog's diet if needed. The labels always give a serving size suggestion, these suggestions are intended for healthy dogs, if your dog has any health issues, chronic disease, or is being treated by your vet please call your vet before adding supplements to their diet as your dog may have different needs and nutritional requirements.

Sources:
Spice Up your Dogs's Life - ModernDog
Hyperlipidemia in Dogs & Cats - Veterinary Medicine
What are the Benefits of Kelp for Dogs - Eleanor McKenzie
Can Dogs Eat Kelp? - Ultimate Home Life
Can I Give My Dog?...
Kelp for Dogs - Superfoods

Tasty Tuesday is hosted by Kol's Notes & Sugar the Golden Retriever.

*Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian or food nutritionist. Please do your own research and consult your vet if you have any questions, if your animal has special dietary needs, or allergies.**

5 comments:

  1. We get our dog treats from Wet Nose because there aren't any preservatives and other badness. They also are very low in protein. One of them contains kelp. Is that the same kind of thing or not the recommended way to get kelp.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a great website! I just pulled it up. It looks like if you type in "Kelp" in the search bar they have their own kelp supplemental powder that you could use on your pooch or kitty cat. The dog treats although beneficial and full of great ingredients would have a pretty small amount of kelp in them (being that it isn't the primary ingredient) so it would be plenty safe to add the supplement to your diet if you wanted to. :-)

      **Paw Waves!

      Delete
  2. Pawsome post! We really loved the coconut oil tips from before, too! *wags* - Gilligan from WagsAhoy.com

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