Irish Moss or Carrageenan, officially known as Chondrus Crispus is an amazing marine algae for pets as it’s non-toxic for both cats and dogs. The medicinal benefits of seaweeds can be traced back to 400 BC where they were harvested around the British Isles and Ireland for their gelling properties and nutritional value.
Irish Moss is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry to help bind ingredients for their end products such as creams, body lotions, shampoos, conditioners etc. but Irish Moss in its raw state as seaweed is rich in proteins, healthy polysaccharides, amino acids, iodine, iron, bromine, calcium, potassium, magnesium and high in vitamins B, C and E.
Irish Moss can be used as preventative medicine or to help in the recovery of pets especially regarding certain health issues such as bronchial issues, urinary infections. As Irish moss helps reduce mucous membrane irritation in the body, especially regarding issues with the respiratory, gastro and urinary tracts and in Ayurveda medicine, it’s used to help treat both prostate and thyroid disorders.
Irish Moss is a great algae to have available for your pet as it can be given both orally or applied externally to help with irritation even issues such as inflammation of the skin.
Benefits of Irish Moss
- Supports healthy gut microbiota
- Natural anti-inflammatory
- Great natural source of natural minerals that are bioavailable to the body
- Helps with prostate disorders
- Helps with thyroid disorders
- Great snack to provide energy
- Anti-viral
- Anti-bacterial
- Has antiretroviral effects
- Helps combat dried skin
- Promotes a much shinier and softer pelt on pets
- Supports the lymph and immune system
- Rich in antioxidants
- Rich in fibre, great for those pets that struggle with eliminating
- Helps support kidney and bladder health
- Helps protect the respiratory tract and lungs
- Support bone health
- Supports connective tissue health
Is Irish Moss Safe for Pets?
Yes. it’s very safe for cats and dogs if you source and use real seaweed in its true form. Do not give your cat and dog products that contain a variation of Irish Moss/Carrageenan as the industrial process changes the composition so it becomes a binding gel rather than a nutritional food and this manufacturing process can result in health issues in your pet, such as IBS, allergies etc.
When sourcing ingredients always go directly to the plant itself and not some industrialised variation of the original plant. The further away you are from the real plant the more you open your pet up to toxins in their precious bodies.
If you can source the seaweed, this is a great nutritional supplement to add to your pet’s raw food diet daily. Use in rotation with other nutritional sea vegetables such as Kelp, or apply topically for skin issues. Ensure there are no contraindications with any medication. For example, blood-thinning medicine.
Side Effects
If your pet’s condition worsens or does not improve speak with your integrative vet.
Precautions should be taken with animals that are using anti-coagulant drugs.
Unless you are extremely careful with the amount and number of times you feed Irish Moss, it’s not recommended for pregnant or nursing pets as too much iodine for example could cause complications with the pregnancy, especially in cats. But all this will depend on the current diet of your pet, lifestyle, medications, synthetics supplements your cat or dog may be on etc.
However, remember, the further away you are from feeding your pet raw, the closer your cat and dog are to disease, illness and a short lifespan. Mother earth did not make a mistake when she created animals and has continued to do so, without the ability to cook. Trust Mother Earth knows what she is doing and feed your pet raw food for their true health.
Check with your holistic vet if your pets are on medication. Due to its demulcent and emollient properties, it coats the mucous membrane, so it may interact with the absorption of medications. More importantly, look to get your pet off over the counter medication. Not only do they totally suppress what is really going on in your pet’s body but long term, they are destructive to the organs. Everything your pet needs to prosper in health can be found in raw food and medicinal plants.
How to Give Chondrus Crispus to Cats & Dogs
Forms of use:
- Fresh
- Gel
- Powder
- Dried extract
Administration can be via
- Given orally
- Given as a powder form, mixed with food
- Used topically
Irish Moss Dosage for Pets
Cats & Dogs
Irish Moss is a good all-around seaweed. However, cats if they are on a complete raw diet don’t really need seaweeds added to their diet daily. But on occasion, you could use Irish Moss as a condiment to mix in with their food. It will act as an excellent health supplement, especially for helping diversify the gut microbiome and will support skin health, luxurious pelt, etc.
If you want to use Irish Moss to help your pet’s thyroid, urinary, bronchial issues etc. It’s best to consult with your integrative or holistic vet for your pet’s individual health needs to ensure healing occurs.
General-purpose guidelines ; Use in rotation with other sea vegetables such as Kelp, Nori, Dulse and sea lettuce. Always know the source of the product and its origin. Ensure you don’t buy from coastal areas that are known to be polluted or contaminated as your pet will absorb any toxicities, heavy metals etc. from the seaweed especially given the binding qualities of Irish Moss.
Remember, less is more and always look to rotate your sea vegetables to give your pet a diverse range of vitamins and minerals that diversify their gut microbiome for optimal health. Always work in harmony with your pet’s body, not against it. If you’re adding this daily put a small sprinkle in with your pet’s food or use just a pinch worth.
Fresh. If you’re harvesting this directly from the sea please be respectful of the molluscs, sea snails etc. that may be grazing on the Irish Moss. Please ensure you leave them in their natural habitat before you walk off with your harvest. Equally never take more than you need. Irish Moss is an important part of a delicate ecosystem that should be fully respected.
Using cold or room temperature water (not hot) thoroughly wash to remove any sediment and tiny sea critters that are often hiding in the folds of the sea moss. Once cleaned, soak in cold water for about an hour to reduce the saltiness as much as possible before feeding this to your pet. Avoid soaking for more than an hour or so as the seaweed will begin to form a gelatin substance known as Carrageenan which is found in shampoos etc. but it means the Irish Moss has lost the nutritional benefit for your pet as its converting to a binding agent – which is what you want to avoid.
You can cut your Irish Moss up into small pieces to sprinkle over the food or give a piece to your pet to play and chew on. It will be a tasty healthy treat or snack and many animals love the texture to play with before eating. Don’t overfeed as you’ll likely give your pet the trots if you do.
Dried. Go through the cleaning process as described under ‘fresh’ then you can dry the Chondrus Crispus in the sun, or with a dehydrator, or let it dry at room temperature so it becomes crumbly and flakey when you rub it between your fingers and thumb. Put an amount into a herb shaker to sprinkle on your pet’s food and store any remaining in an airtight container, in a cool dark place. Use as needed.
Making a Gel. Clean the Chondrus Crispus as described under ‘fresh’ then depending on how much gel you want to make you’ll need a 1:1 ratio of sea moss and clean water. For example, half a cup of moss to half a cup of water. Place both into a blender and blend until it has a smoothie like consistency.
Avoid using the blender for too long as you don’t want the moss to become heated because of the blending motion. Pop your homemade gel in a jar and keep it in the fridge for up to three to four weeks depending on the quantity of gel you’ve made. You can apply this gel directly onto your pet’s irritated skin. Or add it into an ice cube tray to give as a treat on warm days.
Powder: Follow the steps for ‘Fresh’ and then ‘Dried’, then using a pestle and mortar or a pulverizing herb grinder, grind the dry sea moss into a fine powder.
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Resources
Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine – Andrew Chevallier
The Way of Herbs – Michael Tierra
Bontanica Oculta, Las Plantas Magicas – Paracelso
Native American Herbalism and Essential Oil Encyclopedia – Dr. Scott Glandstar & Dr. Christina Zielinski
Healing with the Herbs of Life – Lesley Tierra The Ayurveda Encyclopedia – Swami Sada Shiva Tirthan
