For anyone who might be looking to help feed their dog with a bit more consistency, it can be tough to choose the right dietary solutions. One of the best places to start, we have found, is with seaweed. You might be wondering what you can (and cannot) feed your dog – and seaweed is a common query that is covered. So, with that in mind, can dogs eat seaweed?
Can Dogs Eat Seaweed? The Simple Answer – Yes, but With Some Caveats
For most, the question of whether or not to feed a dog seaweed comes down to a few deciding factors. First things first – most people will feed their dog seaweed via snacks and supplements. This is the right thing to do. Eating raw seaweed on the beach is not a good idea. It could be polluted, and it can be hard for a dog to digest in many ways. This can lead to some unhappy messes!
The main thing to note is that seaweed is very good for a dog. It is a rich source of key ingredients such as proteins, irons, and omega-3 fatty acids. This is essential for a dog and its long-term health and wellbeing. However, seaweed is also a precious source of magnesium and iodine – two key body requirements that can be hard to find in many conventional dog foods.
With all of this in mind, you cannot feed a dog certain supplements and seaweed snacks. If it contains any kind of onion or garlic, then you DO NOT want to give your dog this treat. Garlic and onion are not foods that a dog should be eating.
You also need to make sure that any seaweed snacks your dogs eat are not seasoned. Please always make sure you read the label and the packaging before you feed your dog any kind of typical seaweed product. This is so, so important.
The Problem With Feeding Your Dog Seaweed
The issue that many have when they give their dog seaweed is that they develop a taste for the stuff. This can make them more likely to eat seaweed when on the beach, as they recognize the flavor. However, this is not a good thing for any dog. Seaweed dries out when it is on the ground, and when your dog eats the seaweed it will fill up with water in the dog’s stomach. This causes the seaweed to expand, which could cause blockages in your dog’s intestines – this could become fatal.
The other main reason is that seaweed found naturally out in the wild can be contaminated. Given how nutritious it is, too, bugs and critters have a habit of hanging around on the stuff. If your dog eats something it isn’t supposed to that was gorging on the seaweed, it could become extremely ill.
If your dog eats seaweed that is raw and on the beach, get it to a vet ASAP. Do not take any risks, as the blockages that can form can happen very quickly and without much notice.
So, yes, you can feed your dog seaweed. Just make sure you are VERY careful about what they eat in terms of seasoning. If they eat raw seaweed, act immediately.