Spirulina is a highly nutritious microalgae with a wide range of health benefits for dogs, ranging from helping with allergies to improving digestion.
Packed with chlorophyll, anti-oxidants and the essential fatty acid GLA, spirulina is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s also a great source of protein - at around 60% it has more protein per gram than meat! In fact, the Aztecs are documented eating spirulina for just this reason.
Interestingly, spirulina uses less resources than livestock to produce it’s protein and energy, making it an eco-friendly superfood addition to your dogs diet.
6 ways spirulina can benefit your dog:
Helps relieve allergies
Boosts immune system
Reduces inflammation
Aids digestion
Improves thyroid function
May have anti-cancer properties
This blue-green microalgae has a wide range of potentially beneficial functional actions, including anti-oxidant, and immuno-stimulating effects. It contains GLA, an omega-6 fatty acid with powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Spirulina also improves the quality of gut microbiota, stimulating the “good” bacteria over the “bad” ones. In vitro research (ie. test tube - not in animals) has shown spirulina to have a positive microbial modulating effect, suggesting it could be a good dietary addition to improve digestion. It’s also easily digested because it lacks a cellulose cell wall.
The biggest reason we love spirulina is because it can potentially help provide relief for dogs with allergies.
Spirulina exhibits anti-allergy properties by inhibiting the release of histamine from mast cells. One study demonstrated that spirulina enhances IgA production, increasing the number of antibodies made by the immune system to fight bacteria, viruses, and toxins. This study suggests that spirulina could play a pivotal role in mucosal immunity.
While further research is always needed, these anti-allergy properties are potentially great news for dogs suffering from itchy skin, hot spots or sore paws.
Spirulina is such a potent food that only a tiny amount is needed to see the health benefits. A little goes a long way! Try a daily dosage of 1/8 teaspoon per 10kg of bodyweight.
To feed, mix the spirulina into your dog’s food as by itself it’s not very tasty. And like all great foods, spirulina is great for dogs and humans alike. Add some to your diet too and enjoy the amazing superfood that is spirulina!
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