Kelp and Alfalfa....

[joquendo]

I was wondering if anyone feeds Kelp AND Alfalfa on a daily basis to your dogs. I am looking at adding one or both of these to their diets but wanted to find out if its wise to add one vs the other or both? - I know they are both Algaes right? so do they provide the same benefits or are they different?

[angrygenius]

Nope, neither one is an algae, one is a feed grass(alfalfa), the other is a seaweed(kelp), I say this to distinguish the kelp from things like Blue-green algae, which is a popular fad supplement right now. Kelp is a good source of potassium and Iodine,and a few trace elements. I do occasionally add dried seaweed to food, but I don't see the point of the alfalfa, and if you use much of either you'll probably have a tough time getting them to eat it. If you really want to feed these, you might try concentrated supplement from a "health" food shop. JG

[Barbara Surplus]

I feed both. They provide quite an array of essential minerals to the dogs' diet. There is no harm in doing so. If you follow the Kymythy Schultz diet, this is what she recommends.
Barbara

[n2rotts]

Alfalfa is an incredibly deep rooted legume. Alfalfa leaf contains almost every trace mineral that is known. Combined with Kelp it's a powerful and wide range supplement.

I use both daily on my dogs.

[joquendo]

That's great info.

thanks... Kep and Alfalfa it is ;)

[rottnkidd]

Hi Janet - You've already got some great responses, but I'll elaborate a bit, on the benefits. The following info is a mix of info from "Natural Health for Dog's and Cats by Richard Pitcairn, DVM,
Wendy Volhard's "Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog, and some
tidbits of info from the b-naturals website.
Alfalfa- stimulates digestion and appetite, helps animals gain wt, and improves physical & mental vigor. Best used in animals that are underweight, nervous or high-strung. It can also help those with muscle or joint pain, or animals with urinary problems, especially where there is crystal formation and bladder irritation.
(Pitcairn) It contains 8 essential digestive enzymes, as well as 8 essential amino acids. It is a rich source of calcium and potassium, and helps with energy and endurance. Eases pain of arthritis (Lew Olson, PhD, Natural Health, b-naturals)
Kelp - Provides iodine for proper thyroid function which in turn influences overall health, metabolism, skin and coat. (Volhard)
It is full of minerals and trace minerals, and being a whole food
can be supplemented daily, like alfalfa. It protects against the
effects of radiation, and for hair loss. (Lew Olson, b-naturals)

The 'new' words in nutrition that I'm starting to see just about
everywhere are 'phytonutrients' and 'phytochemicals'. Kelp and alfalfa would be in this class, and any whole food. They're defined
as naturally occuring substances found within plants, that give
them their disease fighting properties, or their distinct aroma, color and flavor. This is a whole 'nother field to delve into! And to think all of this interest started because we want to feed our dog's the best way we can! sheesh!
Anyway Janet, I use a powdered Daily Blend that contains kelp and alfalfa. I use it at half the recommended dose with the a.m. meal, because I'm using a "super" green blend for the p.m. meal.
I've been reading about the green 'superfoods', and their health benefits for humans. I think it's time! My girl looks like the epitomy of good health...and then there's me! just kidding!
I hope this info helps you in your decision!
kathy

[joquendo]

Hey Kathy.... ;)

That info is great. I am glad you made one point which makes a huge difference to me with regards to whether I feed one of my dogs Alfalfa or not... she is prone to be "podgy" I struggle to get her weight down - I took her to the vet and she has gained 8lbs she weights 89lbs... so maybe she will only gain more weight if I feed her Alfalfa...

Hmmmmm I guess I am still undecided... I am currently giving them the Daily Blend of supplements from B-Naturals.. which I know contains Kelp.. so I am wondering now if its at all necessary to buy Kelp separately.

I did see the Super Green foods, and even wondered about just using that instead of the Kelp/Alfalfa/Daily Blend Supplements...could you let me know what you think about that Kathy... I know they are getting great supplements right now but like you Kathy... I am always trying to improve their health :)

[rottnkidd]

Hi Janet - It's really your decision, however, if you're considering another supp, I'd give the general purpose vit/min blend with 1 meal, and the green-foods blend with their 2nd meal. The Daily Blend you're currently using is more for the antioxidants and vitamins, whereas the Green Blend would be for the minerals and
the 'phytonutrients'. (I love using that word! lol)
kathy

[babydungeon]

from what i've seen, kelp is almost twice as expensive as the kibble you'd be adding it to. is this true? i heard the results are great and is very healthy but why does it cost so much for so little? -kevin

[rottnkidd]

Kevin - Kelp and Alfalfa are relatively inexpensive. A 1# tub of
either is $3.95 at b-naturals. Their Green Blend is $13.75, but it contains alot more ingredients. I'm only using a 1/2 tsp a day, so it lasts me a long time. I guess it could get costly if you're supplementing several dog's.
kathy

[babydungeon]

if i remember correctly the people wanted like $12 for a small bucket of it. to get enough to last a dog a month i think it would have been around $60!

[joquendo]

baby Dungeon....

Awesome pictures.... he looks like a very pretty "spoilt" boy... :D

[babydungeon]

thank you he is and he wouldn't have it any other way! -kevin

[joquendo]

I hear you... I too have 4 spoilt rottn brats ;).... my whole life revolves around them, and I love them to bits ;) - that's the way it should be .. right :D

[Barbara Surplus]

Originally posted by babydungeon
if i remember correctly the people wanted like $12 for a small bucket of it. to get enough to last a dog a month i think it would have been around $60!

How much are you feeding? I use about a tablespoon a day...
Barbara