General Question Benefits Of Kelp For Your Dog

Vikinggirl

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Oct 8, 2012
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Hi, someone recently told me about giving Kelp to dogs, I looked it up, and there seems to be many health benefits to giving your dog Kelp. Has anyone heard of Kelp for dogs, or does anyone use it or have any experience with this supplement?



Benefits of Kelp

Kelp is a recognized food supplement for humans. Now vets and advocates of an holistic approach to pet health recommend it for dogs and other animals. This seaweed is rich in natural salts and minerals, and it has a number of benefits for your dog's health.




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Thyroid, Adrenal and Pituitary Glands


Kelp is known for being iodine-rich. Thyroid problems are often associated with an iodine deficiency, and kelp as a natural source of iodine is a long-standing medical treatment for people with thyroid problems. The rich mix of iodine and other minerals in kelp makes it an ideal supplement to keep your pup's entire glandular system, particularly the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands, in healthy working order. This in turn ensures your dog's metabolism works efficiently, which is an important element in maintaining a 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.


Allergies and Fleas


Anything which helps flea control is good news for dog owners. Diane Stein, in her book "The Natural Remedy Book for Dogs and Cats," says after three weeks of kelp supplementation there is a noticeable reduction in fleas on animals who have an infestation. This suggests that kelp repulses fleas and that using the supplement regularly is a useful addition to chemical flea treatments. Kelp also reduces itchiness in those dogs with skin allergies and improves the overall condition of your dog's skin and coat.


General Health


Kelp also supports many of your dog's other body functions. It cleanses the digestive system and keeps its juices balanced. Because it is high in iron it fortifies the blood, which then helps the heart to pump more efficiently. In older dogs especially it is recommended for strengthening the immune system, which can protect them from a range of diseases. Also, dogs on kelp supplements are thought to heal faster from surgery, because the amino acids in the seaweed support tissue repair. And it could help you and your dog to live longer. The Japanese have long maintained that eating seaweed is a source of their longevity.


Dosage


In her book "The Pet Lover's Guide to Natural Healing for Cats and Dogs," Barbara Fougere warns that levels of iodine in kelp are not always consistent. Too much iodine can give your dog iodine toxicity with symptoms such as watery eyes and nose, stomach upsets and lethargy. She says that kelp must be given in measured doses and not freely added to your dog's food. The dosage should be according to your dog's size. Maximum daily doses by size are 1/4 teaspoon for small dogs, 1/2 teaspoon for medium-sized dogs and 1 teaspoon for large dogs. Avoid kelp harvested along the U.S. coastline as it probably contaminated with industrial pollutants. Deep ocean kelp and Norwegian kelp are considered the best sources.

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Why Kelp Is Great for Your Dog




Kelp has been touted as a highly beneficial supplement for humans for some time. It contains lots of vitamins and minerals, some of which are hard to get from other sources. But did you know that kelp has numerous benefits for dogs as well.
Feeding your dog kelp on a regular basis can do great things for his health. Here are some of the benefits you can expect to see:


Shinier coat and softer, healthier skin


Better digestion


Increased immune function, which means less sickness and quicker healing from injuries


Greater milk production in lactating females


Healthier puppies born to parents that were given kelp


Kelp is especially beneficial for glandular health. This results in greater balance throughout the dogā€™s system, as well as less incidence of hyperthyroidism and other glandular disorders. The thyroid and pituitary glands directly affect digestion, so this explains in part why dogs that eat kelp digest their food and absorb nutrients better. They have a more efficient metabolism, too.


Dogs also need plenty of fiber to keep their digestive systems in check, and kelp is a great source of fiber. This keeps the digestive tract clean and helps prevent absorption of toxic metals. A diet high in fiber also helps fight inflammation, rheumatism, and the development and growth of tumors.


Puppies can benefit greatly from kelp as well. It contains many of the things they need to grow up healthy and strong. Kelp given to reproducing dogs will make birthing easier and result in better health and increased survival rates for their puppies.


Kelp contains over 100 nutrients that your dog needs. It is a wonderful source of trace minerals, including iodine, magnesium, zinc, copper, gold, cobalt, and selenium. Also found in kelp are high levels of B vitamins, as well as Vitamin E and C. In addition to these vitamins and minerals, kelp is also rich in amino acids.


The easiest way to include kelp in your dogā€™s diet is to give him food that contains it each day. Kelp is also available in dried form, which preserves its nutritional benefits very well. There are also a number of kelp supplements in various forms on the market, but these vary in effectiveness.


Kelp has been called a miracle plant due to its outstanding nutritional value and ability to balance the human system. Including it in your dogā€™s diet on a regular basis can improve his overall health and help treat a number of existing health problems. Whether included as an ingredient in your dogā€™s food or given as a supplement, kelp is one of the best things you can give your best friend.
 

ColeB

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Mar 18, 2014
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Richmond, VA
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Cue
I just started giving Cue kelp twice a day with her normal dry food. I am using a brand called Pet Kelp and I am using their "Wellness" formula that also includes flaxseed and blueberry. We are only on day 3 so no real changes yet. Although we weren't really trying to fix a particular problem, just hoping to boost her overall wellness. Anybody else have any experience with using Kelp?
 
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Vikinggirl

Vikinggirl

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Oct 8, 2012
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Burlington, ON Canada
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Bulldozer and Blossom
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We also just started adding Kelp to their kibble, so it's new to us as well. I was told about it by the man who owns the Global Pets store where we buy our Fromm's dog food. He has two Shitzu dogs that he brings to the store everyday, and he feeds them raw, freeze dried and gives them Kelp. He told me its all you need to give your dog, and it has everything in it, and has a lot of health benefits. We are already giving our guys yogurt in the mornings for the Probiotics, and Coconut for the Omega Fatty Acids, and apple cider vinegar in their drinking water everyday.
 

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