seaweed?

[mitches]

Is it ok for dogs to eat a little seaweed at the beach?

[elaine.e]

She might throw it up later or have diarrhoea, depending on how much she's eaten, but it shouldn't do any real harm. I think I'd be trying not to let her eat it in future, but I know how difficult it is to stop them eating everything when they're determined.

Was it definitely seaweed? I don't know where you are but a few areas, mainly south coast and south west I think, had a problem a while ago with white or yellow lumps of palm oil being washed up on beaches. It's attractive to some dogs and can cause serious illness or death. I haven't heard of any instances in the last few weeks, but thought you should be aware, just to be on the safe side.

My older Cocker, William, had an upset stomach after eating a very dead crab at a beach many years ago. He'd already eaten some before I realised what he was doing and got the rotting remains off him

[mitches]

It was on a beach in St Andrews lots of black seaweed. Our puppy was determinded to eat some, but I had read somewhere about it being poisoness maybe that is the palm oil stuff.
We also had to pull a crabs leg out of her mouth!

[twiceover2]

It isn't a good idea to let your dog eat seaweed as it can expand in their stomachs to many times its original size.  There's an article about it here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/pets/10175639/Dog-owners-warned-of-lethal-dangers-of-dried-up-seaweed.html

It depends if the seaweed is dry or already wet and how much a dog eats.

[HelenS]

It isn't a good idea to let your dog eat seaweed as it can expand in their stomachs to many times its original size.  There's an article about it here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/pets/10175639/Dog-owners-warned-of-lethal-dangers-of-dried-up-seaweed.html

It depends if the seaweed is dry or already wet and how much a dog

Thats the article that was written by Glen who is Cupar's vet.

[ruby n millies mum]

now im confused , just convince myself it was the heat from the first thread i have just read...im not sure if they eat any seaweed they were playing tug o' war with some wide green seaweed, not sure what type, no spots though.

[kalami]

I thought it was dangerous as difficult to digest

[BobnDot]

Certain types of seaweed are perfectly suited for human consumption, especially laver which is native to certain coasts of the UK.

Once gathered the seaweed is boiled for several hours before the addition of olive oil, lemon juice and pepper. It has a taste and consistency much like spinach and is very tasty indeed. One of the highlights of my childhood was gathering large amounts of it from the rocks around Fontygary, St. Mary's Well Bay and Sully Island which my mum prepared and served either on toast or included in a loaf like laver cake.

Bob.

[bluegirl]

I've bought dried seaweed from health shop, and boiled it up, its surprising how much it can expand. It was for the dogs instead of kelp tablets, but it was pretty much a complete waste of money.....and being perfectly honest I didn't blame them for refusing it!