Is it okay to feed seaweed to cats? A thorough explanation of the health benefits of seaweed, precautions to take when feeding it, and recommended seaweed

1. Is it okay for cats to eat seaweed?

Basically, it is safe to feed seaweed to cats. Seaweed is a nutritious food for cats as well as for us humans. It is rich in minerals, vitamins, dietary fiber, etc., and helps maintain the health of your beloved cat.

It does not contain any ingredients that are dangerous to cats, so you can feed it to them without worry.

2. Main nutrients in seaweed

Seaweed is rich in nutrients that are beneficial for your cat's health, including:

• Minerals: Calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, etc.
• Vitamins: Vitamin A, B vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, etc.
• Dietary fiber: β-carotene, insoluble dietary fiber, soluble dietary fiber

3. 5 health benefits of eating seaweed for cats

1. Helps in bone and tooth formation

It is rich in calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, which helps form bones and teeth. It is recommended for growing kittens as well as seniors with joint diseases such as osteoarthritis.

2. Improves digestion

It is rich in dietary fiber, which improves the intestinal environment and promotes digestion. Fiber is very important for cats who tend to be constipated and have no appetite, or who often swallow their hair. Giving it as a snack or as a topping on food can help improve bowel movements.

3. Maintain healthy skin and coat

It is rich in vitamins A and E, which help maintain healthy skin and coat. Long-haired breeds such as Siberians and Ragdolls can maintain a beautiful, shiny coat by actively consuming this supplement.

In addition, it contains EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), commonly known as omega fatty acid. It is known that there is a relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and atopic dermatitis, and it is believed that ingesting seaweed can have a significant effect on maintaining your cat's coat, smoothing the skin, and improving the barrier function.

4. Boost your immunity

It is rich in vitamins C and E, which boosts immunity. It is recommended for senior cats and for those who are prone to falling ill due to temperature changes during the season.

5. Antioxidant properties

It is rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E, which have antioxidant properties and are said to be effective in preventing aging, such as maintaining the health of blood vessels and cells.

4. The appropriate amount of seaweed to give to cats

The appropriate amount of seaweed that can be given to a cat will vary depending on the cat's size, weight, and health condition, but a general guideline is about 0.1g per kg of body weight.

If you weigh 3kg: 0.3 grams If you weigh 5kg: 0.5 grams If you weigh 10kg: 1.0 grams

By the way, a full-sized sheet of nori seaweed weighs 3 grams.
If you weigh less than 3kg, limit yourself to one-tenth of a large sheet of nori, if you weigh less than 5kg, one-sixth of a large sheet of nori, and even if you weigh 10kg, limit yourself to about one-third of the size.

5. How to feed seaweed to cats

When giving seaweed to your pet, start with a small amount and increase the amount as you observe. Large pieces of seaweed are difficult for your pet to digest, and can stick to the mouth or throat, causing choking. Always tear or chop the seaweed into small pieces before giving it to your pet.

Although seaweed is rich in nutrients, it should not be given as a staple food to your pet as it will disrupt the nutritional balance. Seaweed should only be given as a snack or as a topping for staple foods.

There are many different types of seaweed, some thick and hard, and some soft. Avoid seaweed that is too hard, as it can be a choking hazard.

Nori from Ariake is characterized by its relative softness. First-harvested nori is even softer and melts in your mouth. It is best to choose nori from Ariake whenever possible.

6. Precautions when feeding seaweed

As mentioned above, seaweed is very healthy when given as a snack or topping in moderate amounts, but needless to say, eating too much or choosing the wrong seaweed can have adverse effects. Please be careful of the following points.

• Too much: As with anything, moderation is key. Giving your pet too much seaweed can cause indigestion, including diarrhea and vomiting.
• Seaweed with a high salt content: When giving seaweed to your pet, roasted seaweed is the only option. Avoid seasoned seaweed that is seasoned with soy sauce or sugar. Seaweed that is high in calories and can lead to obesity, as well as excessive salt intake, which can cause high blood pressure.
• When your pet is unwell: If your pet is unwell, avoid giving it seaweed as it can cause indigestion.
• Allergies: In rare cases, some cats may be allergic to seaweed. If you are giving it to your cat for the first time, give it a small amount at a time and observe closely.

7. Take care if you have a chronic illness

Although seaweed is extremely nutritious, it should not be fed to the following children:

1. Kidney disease

It is probably best not to feed seaweed to cats with advanced kidney disease. Seaweed is a food that is high in protein and potassium, and consuming too much of it can put a strain on the kidneys and further worsen their condition.

2. Heart disease

Excessive sodium intake puts a strain on the heart, which circulates blood, and can worsen heart disease, so try to limit it as much as possible.

3. Thyroid Disorders

Seaweed contains a lot of iodine, although not as much as kelp, and if you eat too much of it, it can overstimulate the thyroid gland. Do not give seaweed to children with thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

4. Urinary stones

It is said that the magnesium contained in seaweed can make struvite stones more likely to form if ingested in large quantities. It is best not to feed seaweed to cats with a history of urolithiasis, cats currently undergoing treatment for urolithiasis, or cats with kidney or liver problems.

8. Summary

What did you think? Actually, my dogs love seaweed. What's even more luxurious is that they eat Yamamotoyama seaweed as a topping on their regular rice.

Of course, you should be careful not to give too much, but seaweed is a nutritious food for cats. Make sure to feed them the right amount and in the right way to help maintain their health. Give your cat the power of longevity with seaweed from Yamamotoyama, a company that was founded 334 years ago! Let's all aim to be healthy and reach 20 years old.