ARE YOUR INGREDIENTS IN PET KELP HUMAN GRADE?
The Flax and other ingredients used in Pet Kelp are all food grade (human grade), with the exception of Kelp. That is organic certified feed grade.
WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER INGREDIENTS IN PET KELP?
We source all of our ingredients from either Canadian or USA sources. Our fruits and vegetables are sourced from local farmers in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley.
SO WHAT ABOUT THE IODINE CONTENT IN PET KELP?
We use a blend of different species of Nova Scotia-sourced kelp and seaweeds. Each species we use has a moderate to low level of iodine. In general, as a result of this blending of seaweeds and kelp in our Pet Kelp blend, our products have relatively low levels of iodine. The iodine content for each of our products can be viewed on the back panel the package.
DOES THE SIZE OF THE DRIED GROUND SEA VEGETABLES MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Yes! Because sea vegetables are fibrous and dense, the larger the particle size, the harder it is to digest/ breakdown. Dogs and cats have very short digestive systems so the smaller the particle size of the dried sea vegetable, the higher the mineral and vitamin absorption by your pet.
HOW ARE YOUR SEA VEGETABLES HARVESTED AND PROCESSED?
Yes! Because sea vegetables are fibrous and dense, the larger the particle size, the harder it is to digest/ breakdown. Dogs and cats have very short digestive systems so the smaller the particle size of the dried sea vegetable, the higher the mineral and vitamin absorption by your pet.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT PET KELP'S SEA VEGETABLE BLEND?
After much formulation and working with a variety of native kelp and seaweed we settled on a combination of four different sea vegetable species that we felt would provide the right levels of a combination of trace minerals and vitamins. This proprietary blend of kelps and seaweeds are what, in our opinion, makes Pet Kelp unique and is the reason why our formulas produce positive results with dogs and cats.
WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE BAY OF FUNDY FOR GROWING SEA VEGETABLES?
The Bay of Fundy has the world's highest tides, with a 45ft change in water level every 12 hours. Being both a very pristine body of cold ocean water and having an extremely high flush rate, the Bay of Fundy is the perfect environment for growing seaweed and kelp. More than 20 species of seaweeds and kelps are native to this body of water.
HOW LONG DOES A BAG OF PET KELP LAST?
The number of servings in each bag depends on the size of your dog. Based on an average-sized (40 – 50 pounds) dog, the 8-ounce bag should last approximately 30 days. Each sealed bag is imprinted with an expiration date. Once opened, be sure to close and seal the bag after each use, and store the product in a cool, dry location to maintain freshness and nutritional value.
WHAT DO I NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN ADDING SEA VEGETABLES TO MY DOG OR CAT'S FOOD?
Where is the kelp harvested?
Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Maine, Iceland, and New Zealand are all good sources because of the unpolluted cold ocean water in these areas.
How finely ground is the dried kelp?
Kelp is a fibrous plant, so the finer it is ground, the more absorbable/ bio-available the mineral and vitamins that it contains, especially in a dog or cat’s short digestive system. A rough ‘cracked pepper’ grind may have as little as a 5-10% mineral and vitamin absorption rate.
Is the kelp ambient temperature dried or dried at high temperature?
The kelp is naturally sun dried to maintain its nutritional value.
SEAWEED VS KELP. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
Basically, kelp and seaweed are all 'sea vegetables'. The terms 'seaweed' and 'kelp' are sometimes used interchangeability. While having no formal scientific distinction between the two terms (they are all members of the algae family), it is generally accepted that 'kelp' refers to marine plants that are consistently submerged in seawater and which, generally, will have higher trace mineral contents because of the plant’s constant submersion in mineral-rich ocean water. On the other hand, 'seaweed' is generally regarded as the group of marine plants that are partially or fully exposed to air during low tide.
DOES THE QUALITY OF THE SEAWATER AFFECT ITS CONTENT?
Absolutely! Since seaweeds and kelps absorb all of their mineral content from the ocean, the more pristine the source of ocean water, the higher the quality of the trace minerals in kelp or seaweed.
AREN'T ALL KELPS AND SEAWEEDS THE SAME?
Each species of kelp and seaweed has a different mineral and vitamin profile. Using the word ‘kelp’ or ‘seaweed’ is like using the word ‘fruit’ to describe apples and oranges. Trace mineral and vitamin levels vary significantly, depending on the species, growing conditions, water temperature and exposure to air.
WHY DO THEY CONTAIN SO MANY MINERALS AND VITAMINS?
The reason they contain this wide range of nutrients is because of their ability to naturally absorb trace minerals directly from ocean water and synthesize a corresponding variety of vitamins.
WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT KELP?
Over 300 species of kelps and seaweeds are found in the world's ocean. Seaweeds and kelps have the broadest spectrum of trace minerals and vitamins of any plant group in the world. As such, they lend themselves to being a very good, whole food, all-natural vitamin and mineral source.