Kelp For Dogs Thyroid
Adding kelp to the canine diet has been around for a while now.
Kelp for dogs thyroid. Kelp can come in many forms. It s a common disease in dogs it affects all breeds but it is often found in golden retrievers doberman pinschers irish setters dachshunds boxers and cocker spaniels. But before you begin feeding your dog kelp there are caveats you need to know. Today after reading a recent post recommending that people give kelp to dogs just across the board claiming benefits for it that vastly exceed what it actually offers and omitting information about iodine content thyroid health and more i decided to start with kelp.
Risks of kelp for dogs used in small amounts on a regular basis i think kelp is a great thing to add to dogs diets roberts says. In his book plant medicine in practice herbal medicine expert and naturopathic doctor bill mitchell states that kelp may be useful in treating underactive thyroid particularly caused by lack of iodine and underactive thyroid associated with enlargement of your thyroid gland 1. Kelp or bladderwack is a brown type of seaweed which people have used when traditional medications have not worked in fighting thyroid issues. Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones t3 and t4.
But when it s a case where we re looking at a low normal and we want something to boost the system kelp can support the body and in certain. People may also try kelp in teas supplements or extracts. Note however that dogs already suffering from hypothyroidism need thyroid hormone therapy studies such as this one and this one are also being done to look at using kelp as a. In particular dogs will low thyroid hormone levels can benefit from the iodine in kelp.
The problem is when pets get too. It makes a hormone called thyroxine that controls metabolism the process of turning food into fuel. 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. Is kelp the cure all for canine thyroid conditions.
One of the functions of iodine is the stimulation of the thyroid gland. First kelp can be eaten raw in its seaweed form. Once the dogs are already hypothyroid adding kelp or something rich in iodine can cause this cascade effect where the body reacts by destroying the thyroid gland even more dr. Kelp for underactive thyroid.
Doesn t contain kelp so unless your dog is already on supplements this could be considered a disadvantage for dogs with hypothyroidism while kelp is a helpful ingredient to have in a dog food as it contains iodine which stimulates the production of thyroid hormones a food can still be great without it. 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. The thyroid gland is in the neck. Kelp has been used in treating certain thyroid problems.
Kelp may help boost a dog s iodine levels and support thyroid function if dosed correctly.