Can Dogs Eat Seaweed?

I’m gonna take a guess on how you landed on this page, but it’s usually because your dog ate some sushi, and now you’re wondering—can dogs eat seaweed? The good thing is that they can! The seaweed that we use for sushi is safe for dogs. But wild seaweed that you’ll find washed up on the shore is absolutely not safe!

dog and dried seaweed in a bowl on a sushi mat

Table Of Contents

Can dogs eat dried seaweed (nori)?
Can dogs eat seaweed from the beach?
Can dogs eat seaweed snacks?
FAQs
- Can dogs eat seaweed with salt?

While seaweed paper from miso, sushi, or poke bowls is not a typical dog food, it’s good to know that it’s not toxic to them, and they can eat it just fine.

I wrote about how dogs can eat sushi, and it can be safe for them as it has rice that can be good for their stomach, and most cooked fish and seafood are safe for dogs!

Can dogs eat dried seaweed (nori)?

Dogs can eat dried seaweed, like nori, but it has to be plain and simple with no added salt! Nori is the same dried seaweed used to make sushi, but we also eat it as a garnish on soups or sprinkled over rice.

It’s important to remember that nori or dried seaweed is not a typical dog treat. It has some omega-3, which is great, but it’s not something dogs need in their diets.

If they ate some nori by accident, they’ll be fine, so don’t worry about that. But if you eat nori often, don’t share it with your dog, as it’s rich in iodine, and too much iodine is not good for dogs!

Can dogs eat seaweed from the beach?

Please remember that dogs should never, ever eat seaweed from the beach! Wild seaweed that washes ashore is not safe for dogs, so don’t let them eat it!

Wild seaweed that your dog might pick up on the shore is extremely high in salt. Just imagine how much, after sitting in seawater. Your dog can get salt poisoning if they eat too much wild seaweed.

Next, beach seaweed is dirty—it can contain sand, pollutants, and other harmful stuff, so your poor dog will have a horrible time after eating it.

What’s good to know is that in the United States, the most common types of seaweed you might find washed up on the shore are kelp, bladderwrack, and rockweed. These are all non-toxic, which is reassuring. However, the problem is that they can swell in the stomach, and that can cause serious digestive issues for dogs!

If your dog accidentally eats seaweed from the beach, they may experience the following symptoms:

vomiting

diarrhea

excessive thirst

lethargy

If your dog seems unwell, call your vet ASAP and watch for signs of salt poisoning.

Can dogs eat seaweed snacks?

Yes, dogs can eat plain seaweed snacks, but let’s be real—most seaweed snacks are fun ones, usually salted and packed with cool flavors and spices. Seaweed snacks are not toxic to dogs, but similar to tortilla chips or Cheetos, they’re bad for dogs because they contain too much salt!

Many seaweed snacks are also seasoned with garlic and onion. While these aren’t toxic in small amounts, they can irritate your dog’s stomach.

Here are some common types of seaweed snacks you might see:

Roasted seaweed: Thin, crispy sheets of roasted seaweed, often enjoyed as snacks. Dogs can eat roasted seaweed when it’s plain, but these usually come in fun flavors like teriyaki, wasabi, or sesame. While these flavors aren’t toxic to dogs, they can irritate their stomachs. It’s junk food for them, so it’s better to avoid these.

Seaweed chips: These are thicker and crunchier, similar to potato chips but made from seaweed. They’re often flavored, loaded with salt, and definitely not a healthy snack for dogs.

Seaweed sticks: Thin, rolled strips of dried seaweed are popular snacks for people but not for dogs, as they also come in various flavors and with lots of salt.

For your dog, plain roasted seaweed or unseasoned seaweed sheets are the safest options.

Again, while dogs can eat seaweed, it’s not a typical dog food, so you should avoid it or stick with plain options.

Love, life, and fur forever!

FAQs

Can dogs eat seaweed with salt?

While salted seaweed is not toxic to dogs, they really shouldn’t eat it. Any snack with added salt is a bad choice for dogs. Too much salt causes dehydration and, in severe cases, can lead to salt poisoning. But don’t worry—there’s usually not enough salt in a whole pack of seaweed snacks to cause serious harm.