
Is Seaweed Good for Dogs?
Is Seaweed Good for Dogs?
We’re regularly asked whether seaweed is good, or bad for that matter, for dogs.
So maybe we should get the danger of dogs eating seaweed over with first, just in case you’re off to the beach tomorrow.
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Can it also be bad for them?
Dogs love to eat whatever they find on the seashore and seaweed washed up on the beach can be very enticing, but also dangerous, for them.
During warm weather, or when seaweed has been out of the water for some time, it dries up and shrinks to a fraction of its size – 75% in some cases. This salty (sometimes smelly) morsel can be very attractive to some dogs! However, if chewed up and swallowed it absorbs liquid and can start to expand in your dog’s intestines. This can create a blockage, possibly with deadly results. It’s recommended to contact your vet immediately if you believe your dog has ingested dried, wild seaweed. The effects can escalate from mild to deadly in a matter of hours.
You can allow your dog to chew on wet seaweed though, for example the stipe (stem) of kelp, which they really seem to enjoy. Wet seaweed will pass through your dog’s digestive system, but always be alert to what your pet is up to when he’s having fun on the seashore.
Why is Seaweed Good for Dogs?
Sometimes people who join us on one of our foraging courses bring their dog along too. On hearing about the amazing qualities that seaweed offers humans, they are keen to know whether it can be fed to their four legged friends too.
So here is the good news… yes, it can!
Which type is best for them?
Seaweed is a powerhouse of nutrients that could greatly benefit your dog’s health. It is a rich source of minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. These nutrients are essential for maintaining a healthy immune system, strong bones and overall well-being. It is also a good source of fibre, which can aid in digestion, and is low in calories.
Oarweed (kelp) and knotted wrack (asco) are two of the seaweeds that can be used for dogs. They can be put into dog-training biscuits or sprinkled on their food.
We work with a wonderful local company, Pembrokeshire Pet Bakery who use our hand-cut Pembrokeshire seaweeds in the exclusive Dog Treats and Dog Biscuits that they hand produce for us. Small amounts of dried seaweed are safe and can be beneficial for your dog, when mixed in well with other natural ingredients as part of a larger treat. You can read more about our Seaweed Dog Treats, and purchase them, HERE.
We have a dog called Seaweed, and a new puppy called Algae, so you can see how we love seaweeds! Seaweed, the dog, has been having pinches of seaweed on his breakfast dish for years, bladderwrack in this case, as this is what we use ourselves at breakfast everyday too.
How about Skincare for your Pooch?
The goodness in seaweed can also be absorbed through the skin, so how about trying seaweed shampoo the next time your dog is due for a wash. We hand-make our natural ‘Manky Mutt Dog Shampoo’ bars from scratch (no short cuts) in small batches, which includes our Pembrokeshire seaweed extract formula – read more about our Manky Mutt Dog Shampoo bars HERE.
…and we couldn’t finish off the blog without introducing you to the newest member of our (John & Julia’s) family…meet Algae, the cavapoo (roughly 10 weeks old in this photo!). He’s settling in well, causing plenty of mischief, and his new big brother, Seaweed, is doing a very good job at putting him in his place!


Written by Julia Horton-Mansfield
Really Wild Founder and Creative Director