Nori (Porphyra and Pyropia species), like many other seaweeds in Asia, has been used as both medicine and food for a very long time. Edible seaweeds are very therapeutic and considered superfoods. Although seaweeds are algae they are actually herbs and the two main species of Nori people are most familiar with due to sushi, are Pyropia abbottiae and Pyropia nereocystis.
Seaweeds used as medicine and food are documented as far back as the Egyptians whereby they were incorporated into the diet or used medically to treat things like burns, rashes, wounds, and inflammation.
There are three main groups of seaweeds, brown, red and green. Nori is a red seaweed and there are around 115 known species. Nori like, Irish Moss, Dulse, and Kelp etc. has many healing benefits. In TCM Nori helps clear heat, tonify yin, and acts as a diuretic.
Seaweeds are high in fibre, vitamins, and minerals. and aside from being a superior food source, they are great natural antioxidants that help the body remove heavy metals and radiation. Considering the level of toxicity our pets are exposed to daily, seaweeds are a great herb or sea vegetable to add to your pet’s diet. Their ability to help eliminate toxins from the body and nutritional benefits are well known especially for being rich in iodine. They can help thyroid function if this is an issue with your pet. But be careful, feeding too much iodine can have the reverse effect by slowing or stopping the proper function of the thyroid altogether.
Benefits of Nori
- Contains the highest protein source of all edible seaweeds
- Contain essential fatty acids
- Rich in Vitamin A, C, D, E & K
- Rich source of vitamin B complex including B12
- Rich in essential minerals such as iodine, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, copper, selenium, and zinc.
- Rich in trace minerals
- Good source of omega-3 fatty acids which are known to help reduce the risk of cancer, inflammation, heart disease, and support brain function.
- Lowers blood sugar so can help with the effects of diabetes
- Supports eye health
- Tumor preventative
- Nueroprotector
- Antiallergic
- Antioxidant
- Aides cholesterol reduction
- Regulates blood pressure
- Antiinflammatory
- Antibacterial
- Antifungal
- Promotes healthy gums and teeth
- Antiparasitic
- Nourishes and moistures the skin
- immunomodulatory
- Helps cleanse toxins from the body
- Protector against radiation
Is Nori Safe for Pets?
Yes. They are nutrient dense so a little goes a long way. Aim to not exceed your pet’s RDA for iodine and if your pet is on a raw diet this will also need to be taken into consideration for the RDA. Seaweeds are bursting with iodine and feeding too much can have a negative impact on their health. Buy seaweeds fit for human consumption and stick with individual products so you can know the source, mix them at home with other seaweeds or use them as part of rotational feeding.
Ensure there are no contraindications with any medication, especially for thyroid imbalances. If you want to use seaweed as medicinal food for your pet’s health issue, speak with your herbalist or integrative vet to devise a plan that meets your pet’s individual needs
If you’re intending to harvest fresh then please follow the sage advice from Amanda Swinimer, an ecological expert on seaweed harvesting and sustainability.
“For seaweeds to regrow, they not only need to be harvested by leaving some of the seaweed attached to the rock, but they also need to be cut in the right place. The best place to cut the seaweed will depend on the species. Most seaweeds will not regenerate if their stipe (stem-like structure) is cut. In many seaweeds, the new growth happens in the part of the blade (leaf-like structure) closest to the stipe. Leaving this part intact and leaving several inches (or more for large kelp) of the blade is important for the seaweed to be able to regenerate. Furthermore, many seaweeds have separate reproductive structures that need to be left intact to ensure they can reproduce. Still, other seaweeds are long-lived perennials and require extra consideration. It is also important to know the ecological role of seaweeds in areas where you are planning to harvest. Take a class and learn about the species of seaweeds you want to wild harvest”. (1)
Side Effects
If your pet’s condition worsens or does not improve speak with your integrative vet.
Precautions should be taken with animals with Hyperthyroidism, have blood pressure issues, suffer from skin eruptions, have kidney issues etc. or speak to your vet to see how you can incorporate kelp into your pet’s diet to help them heal and move away from medications
Check with your holistic vet if your pets are on medication for thyroid or have insulin issues before adding kelp to your pet’s diet.
Do not overfeed as the level of iodine found in kelp could long term halt healthy thyroid activity. A little goes a long way.
If given too much, your pet may suffer vomiting and diarrhoea
If overfed it can aggravate the body on many levels
How to Give Nori to Cats & Dogs
Forms of use:
- Fresh
- Powder
- Dried flakes
Administration can be via
- Added directly to food
- Given as a fresh treat
- Given in powder form, mixed with food
- Can be used topically
Nori Dosage for Pets
Cats & Dogs
Nori works well when dried, however fresh is also good if it’s easily accessible but it has a rubbery texture that cats unlikely will touch and most dogs will play with rather than eat. Dried nori can be given as a treat or sprinkled onto your pet’s food. A piece of fresh edible seaweed is excellent to add to bone broths.
For those pets that are lacking in trace minerals, adding sea vegetables to your pet’s diet is recommended.
General-purpose guidelines; Use in rotation with other edible sea vegetables. 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.
Fresh. If feeding fresh, learn how to harvest clean and dry nori properly so its health benefits do not deteriorate in the process. Alternatively buy a good quality product that has already been prepared. Thoroughly rinse off any excess salt, before feeding or adding to broths.
Dried Flakes or Powder. Put a small amount into a salt shaker to sprinkle on your pet’s food and store any remaining in an airtight container, in a cool dark place. Use as needed. If you’re using dried flakes you can also soak them for a short time using a small amount of water, to help release the flavour and make them more appetizing for your pet.
If you wish to use either the powder or flakes as a poultice, simply soak the flakes beforehand in warm water, when you notice the slimy feel to the water, extract the leaves and pop them into a cheesecloth or cotton cloth to apply to the affected area. Alternatively, the powder can be mixed with a small amount of water to form a paste and applied directly to the irritation.
Poultice. A seaweed poultice is a great way to help soothe your pet’s joint inflammation, rashes, allergies, etc.Using the fresh seaweed, cut into small sections, soak in hot to warm water for about 20 to 30 minutes or until you have a gel-like feel to the water. Take out your seaweed and place it in cheesecloth to apply directly to your pet’s joints or skin etc.
You can use the water to wash the irritated area before applying the poultice as the gel-like water will also help soothe any irritation. Keep the water in a sealed glass jar in the fridge for a few days and re-apply to your pet’s skin. You can pop some into a spray bottle if it makes application easier, just enough to use for each application of the gel water. Keeping it in a glass jar or bottle in the fridge will protect the integrity of the water for a few days compared to being in a plastic bottle. The seaweed poultice can also be kept in the fridge for a few days if in an airtight container. The poultice can be made and mixed with different seaweeds.
This article is not meant for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with your holistic veterinarian for proper diagnosis and your pet’s individual treatment plan.
“If you don’t become the ocean, you’ll be seasick every day.”
by Leonard Cohen
