Talk to me about kelp for dogs/cats on raw diets

[bendyfoot]

So I saw another post here about kelp being a no-no for cats...

and know others use kelp as a supplement for their dogs (I know Macomom does, for example).

I can't find great info on the pros/cons, and why kelp should be used as a nutrient source (i.e. iodine, presumably), when it is also found in meat/bone.

Can anyone share their wisdom with me, either for dogs OR cats?

[mona_b]

Actually this subject came up at work a couple of months ago..And I heard nothing but good things about kelp for both cats and dogs as some of my co-workers use it. My brother uses kelp with his GSD.

I had these in my favorites as I was researching it.

http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/produc...st/999105.aspx

http://www.peteducation.com/article....+1448&aid=1361

http://doggoneglamorous.com/norwegian_kelp.html

http://www.casebycasepetservices.com...-kelp-faq.html

Hope this helps. It's helped me.

[Love4himies]

kelp has a lot of calcium contained in it, so unless you do the analysis of how much it contains and reduce bone to ensure the calcium to phosphorus ratio is 1.2 to 1 for cats, I would NOT add it to cat food. There is no requirement for kelp in a cat's diet.

[sugarcatmom]

Kelp is often added to pet foods as a cheap source of vitamins/minerals, including the following: iodine, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iron and silicon; it's high in vit K and folate, and has small amounts of vit C, riboflavin, vit E, and A. However, the amount of iodine in any given kelp supplement can vary widely, from 45 to 57,000 mcg according to one study. It also potentially contains arsenic, although the amounts aren't usually enough to be toxic.

Where cats are concerned, I just don't think it's worth the risk of hyperthyroidism to be adding it to their diet. Knowing that excessive iodine can also cause hypothyroidism, I don't know if I'd be giving it to dogs either.

Some more info: http://www.swedish.org/110979.cfm

[mona_b]

Knowing that excessive iodine can also cause hypothyroidism, I don't know if I'd be giving it to dogs either.

This is news to me.I have never heard this. I know Hypothyroidism has to do with the thyroid..Either it's overactive or underactive..It's more or less the same in dogs and humans...In humans I know about it as my mother has been dealing with it for MANY MANY years...She had one of her glands removed due to it being cancerous. And what I have been told is that iodine is essential..It helps produce the hormones needed in the glands.

I'll be making a few phone calls and see what answers I get.

[sugarcatmom]

Originally Posted by mona_b

And what I have been told is that iodine is essential..It helps produce the hormones needed in the glands.

Essential in the correct amounts, yes, but too much or too little and there could be problems. It's much rarer to have an insufficient amount of iodine in the diet than it is to have an excess.

[sugarcatmom]

Here's an interesting discussion on the topic: http://www.democraticunderground.com...ress=243x25841