While it may seem odd to some folks to chomp on that slimy seashore flora, seaweed is actually super tasty and packed full of healthy nutrients for humans.
While they probably wouldn’t snack on seaweed in the wild, you may be asking yourself, “Is it safe for my cat to eat seaweed?” It’s been shown that a seafood-based diet, such as whitefish or salmon, can help regulate your pet’s digestive tract. But where does seaweed fall into the mix and does it have any nutritional benefits for your feline friend? Fortunately, seaweed is safe for cats to eat.
Let’s take a deep dive into the mystery surrounding seaweed and cats.
Yes, Cats Can Eat Seaweed!
You may be surprised to learn that seaweed is a great addition to your cat’s diet. While cats can safely ingest different types of human food, they don’t typically get any nutritional benefits from them. However, seaweed is one of the rare human foods that can actually help your cat flourish.
So yes, your cat can safely eat seaweed. Some vets actually advise you to feed it to your pet. Seaweed is one of those superfoods that is packed with ingredients, such as chelated minerals, that can help soothe your cat’s stomach and even acts as an antacid to ease any discomfort in their gut. Even if your cat is an overall healthy animal, the nutrients found in seaweed can provide him with a plethora of health perks. Some of the minerals found in seaweed include omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Seaweed also possesses medicinal traits, such as anti-inflammatory activity.
In fact, seaweed, especially kelp, has been used by animal caretakers for a long time throughout history. Early owners noticed that their farm animals had shinier coats, greater tolerance to infection, and an increased reproductive system.
What Type of Cats Should Eat Seaweed?
Now that you know that seaweed is beneficial for your cat, you may be wondering if it can resolve their health problems. After consulting with your vet, you may wish to feed your furry friend seaweed if he falls into one of these four categories:
- Cats with Sensitive Skin: In addition to skin, allergies can target your cat’s digestive system. Seaweed is easier for cats to digest, and could help firm their stool and boost their metabolism.
- Cats Who Need a Health Boost: Seaweed is rich in antioxidants that can aid in heart health and lower the risk of infections.
- Cats Who Don’t Get Enough Fiber: Fiber is a nutrient that pets desperately need. It is known to contain anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory traits. Seaweed is packed full of fiber, as well as prebiotics, which sustain good bacteria in your cat’s tummy.
- Cats with Sensitive Skin: Seaweed may help to combat allergies and provide your cat with a shiny, sleek coat.
Types of Seaweed to Feed Your Cat
There is a multitude of edible seaweeds for your cat. Here are our top picks:
- Acadian Sea Kelp: Kelp, also called brown algae, is a kind of seaweed species that exists in cold water. It has a ton of vitamins and nutrients, including iron, calcium, protein, and magnesium. Kelp is actually utilized as an ingredient in kitty supplements and can aid in your pet’s immunity.
- Dulse: Dulse is a green algae and easy for your cat to digest. It contains cesium, which can combat cancer. It also contains Vitamin B12, iron, and beta-carotene.
- Irish Moss: This type of algae comes in a myriad of colors, including purple, green, brown, and red. It can support your cat’s kidney, bladder, and lungs.
- Nori: This roasted or dried seaweed has lots of minerals, vitamins, and carbohydrates to help result in a super healthy cat. Additionally, nori contains taurine, which may be helpful for your cat’s heart.
- Kombu: Also called horseshoe kelp, kombu contains protein, glutamic acid, and iodine. You can feed it to your car sautéed, marinated, or roasted and it benefits his liver, kidney, and stomach.
- Wakame: This seaweed contains fucoxanthin, which helps your pet burn fatty tissues. Aside from its anti-cancer characteristics, wakame may prevent diabetes in cats by regulating their metabolism.
- Sea Lettuce: Rich in iron and cesium, sea lettuce can help your cat’s digestive tract. It also tastes like an oyster, making it a tasty treat for your pet.
How to Serve Your Cat Seaweed
As with any food, you shouldn’t go overboard when feeding it to your cat. Moderation is key. Many felines love the taste of seaweed, but ensure you don’t feed them something that is expired. If you wouldn’t want to eat it, you shouldn’t feed it to your pet.
Learning about what your cat can and cannot eat is a crucial part of keeping them happy and healthy! Choosing a bowl to serve cat-friendly foods in is another important decision pet owners face. Satisfy the specific needs of your cat with the innovative design of the Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl. Learn why it’s our (and our cats!) favorite food and water dish here. At Excited Cats, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Final Words
Seaweed is one of those delicious superfoods that cats adore and that provides them with numerous health benefits. If you’re thinking about giving your pet seaweed, give it a go!
Featured Image Credit: Oleg Ivanov from Unsplash, Andrew Buchanan from Unsplash
