Seaweed is a type of marine algae that comes in various forms, colors, and sizes.
Seaweed can be an excellent addition to your cat’s diet, as it is rich in protein, fiber, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.
Seaweed can help improve your cat’s gut, skin, and coat health, immune system, and free radical damage.
However, seaweed should not be fed as your cat’s primary or sole food source, as it is not a complete and balanced diet.
Seaweed should make up less than 10% of your cat’s overall diet, and should be fed no more than once or twice a week.
Before feeding your cat, seaweed should also be fresh, clean, and human-grade.
- Avoid raw or contaminated seaweed, as it may contain parasites or bacteria that can cause food poisoning or infections in your cat.
- Avoid seaweed canned or seasoned with salt, spices, garlic, onion, or other harmful ingredients for cats.
One of the main drawbacks of seaweed is that it contains high amounts of iodine, which can cause hyperthyroidism in cats if consumed in excess.
Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, leading to weight loss, increased appetite, increased thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, aggression, or heart problems.
Therefore, you should monitor your cat’s iodine intake and consult your vet before feeding seaweed to your cat.
If you want to feed your cat seaweed, you can also look for commercial cat foods containing seaweed.
These cat foods are fortified with other nutrients that your cat needs and they are certified by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) as complete and balanced for your cat’s life stage.
