This blue-green algae powder is used as food and in holistic medicine, but can dogs eat spirulina? Read all about it in this complete guide.
As a devoted pet parent, it’s important that I find and follow accurate information about what dogs can and cannot eat. I have a personal experience with spirulina. So, if you’re considering giving it to your dog, keep reading.
For ultimate pet safety, please ask your vet any questions you have regarding your dog eating spirulina.
What Is Spirulina
It’s known as a super-supplement, full of protein, minerals, vitamins, carotenoids, and rich in antioxidants. There are different species of it, including Arthrospira plantensis, Spirulina Fusiformis, Spirulina Maxima, and Spirulina Platensis.
Spirulina is a microscopic blue-green algae. It grows best in warm alkaline water. Most of the spirulina that is sold in the United States is grown in a laboratory.
It’s sold as a pill, a powder, or dried flakes. People buy it as a supplement and lots of people give it to their dogs, too. And, fun fact, it was endorsed by NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) as a food suitable for long space missions.
In fact, I have personal experience with it, when I gave it to my sweet pup, Trixie.
Trixie’s Story
Giving Trixie spirulina is only a small part of her story. She was a tenacious whippet, and you can read about her personality and her life in her story.
At some point, Trixie developed an autoimmune-mediated disease. We were doing everything to help her, including taking her to a specialist, giving her medications, and blood transfusions. It was breaking my heart!
Then, my husband did some research and discovered that other pet parents gave their sick dogs spirulina, and it had helped them. So, we did the same thing.
We started giving it to Trixie by dissolving it in water and then using a syringe to feed it to her (no way she’d drink it on her own). And it really did help! Her blood cell count improved.
Sadly, we never got the chance to see how well the spirulina could have helped her. A copperhead snake bit her and took her away from us. But I honestly believe spirulina is a safe and helpful supplement.
But please don’t just take my word for it. Always talk to your veterinarian before treating your dog at home.
Safety
Blue-green spirulina is safe for dogs. The FDA listed uncontaminated spirulina as “Generally Recognized As Safe” or GRAS. Keep the uncontaminated word in mind. Be careful with the kind of supplements you buy because they could become contaminated by how it’s grown or harvested.
The riskiest places to grow and harvest spirulina are lakes, the ocean, and natural waterways. This is because pollutants in the water could contaminate it. In fact, contaminated water might cause the spirulina to contain:
- Microcystins – amino acids that attack the liver
- Neurotoxins and Hemotoxins – damage tissues and organs
- Heavy Metals – lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic could be in polluted water.
But most types of spirulina – especially if it’s grown in a controlled lab – are safe for dogs.
It’s not just safe, but it’s nutritious and beneficial, too. It’s so safe that you’ll find it sold as a form specifically for dogs.
Spirulina is an ingredient in canine health supplements, as a powder, pill, and as an ingredient in some healthy dog treats.
Benefits
I have to make a very important note here. All of the information about the benefits of spirulina come from studies on the benefits for humans. There aren’t enough studies to show the scientific benefits for dogs.
It’s one of those things where people think, “If it helps us humans, it must help our dogs,” and then stories pop up about how it helped their dog, so pet parents follow suit.
This is why it’s so important to discuss spirulina with your veterinarian before trying to give it to your pet.
What are the nutritional and health benefits of spirulina? There is a wide range of health benefits, but here are the main ones.
Nutrition
There are many vitamins and trace minerals in Spirulina, but the most common and helpful are the essential fatty acids, protein, iron, and B Vitamins.
The fatty acids are fantastic for your dog’s coat health. They can help hydrate itchy and dry skin and give your pup a shiny coat.
Protein helps your pup build strong muscles. Iron is important for energy levels (so are the B Vitamins).
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
This means it can help reduce inflammation in your dog’s body. This is helpful for older pups with arthritis or health issues like pancreatitis or colitis.
Other pet parents noticed that it’s beneficial for dogs with high blood pressure.
Anti-Oxidant Effects
There are claims that spirulina’s powerful anti-oxidants could help shrink cancer cells or prevent them. However, these claims are generally exaggerated, and it’s important to talk to your veterinarian about them.
But it really is a fantastic source of antioxidants. In the wild, algae naturally absorbs and removes toxins from water. It does the same thing in the body, so it’s known as a fantastic detoxifier.
Gut Health
Since it is highly digestible, it’s really good for your dog’s gastrointestinal health. It can even help boost metabolism, which is really good news for dogs that are struggling to lose weight.
It’s high in fiber, which is why it’s so great for their digestion.
Immune System Support
Spirulina is known to support a healthy immune system. This is because it produces more antibodies. And these antibodies help fight infection and other illnesses.
Natural Antihistimine
Are you worried about discovering your dog is allergic to something that you didn’t know? Spirulina powder can act like a natural antihistamine, making allergic reactions less severe.
Risks
If your furry friends have an autoimmune disease, talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog spirulina. There are risks associated with it and it could make their condition worse.
Please, don’t try to treat health conditions on your own, especially things like autoimmune disorders.
The other risk is accidentally giving your pup too much. But these risks are low and the main side effects are basically gastrointestinal, like diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence, and nausea.
How Much To Give To Dogs
The recommended dosage of spirulina is 1/8 teaspoon for every 10 pounds of dog weight per day.
The easiest way to give it to your dog is to sprinkle the powdered form on your dog’s food.
Spirulina in treat form, which comes in a gummy or biscuit texture, is suitable for puppies and adult dogs. You can also feed it to your dog as a tablet or capsule in dog treat paste. Spirulina is usually better received when mixed with food or treats because it’s not a very tasty supplement.
Tips
Pet owners, it’s very important to be careful where you buy spirulina and where it is produced. If you buy lab-grown varieties, you’ll be more likely to avoid spirulina contaminated with harmful bacteria.
Only give your dog versions that are made for them. Don’t give your pup human supplements. They are just riskier and could give your dog adverse reactions.
Anytime that you try to give your dog a new supplement, talk to your veterinarian and introduce it slowly so you can watch for any signs of bad reactions to it.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, spirulina supplements are safe to add to your dog’s diet. Even though more animal studies need to happen, it’s safe to use spirulina to support your dog’s overall health. There are a lot of potential health benefits, so it’s worth the research and consideration.
More Dog Food Resources
Here are some more resources about human foods dogs can eat and ones that are bad for them.
Find lots of articles on herbs and spices dogs can and can’t have right here on Spoiled Hounds!
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