FAQ

We are not aware of any testing or clinical trials that have been conducted to determine the impact of freezing Ascophyllum nodosum with regards to the dental and/or nutritional benefits.

Anecdotally, customers that have frozen Simply Seaweed have told us it doesn’t appear to alter the product’s efficacy.

If Simply Seaweed is mixed with wet food prior to freezing, this may result in the product swelling (due to rehydration) and going slimy (due to the alginates). This is normal and to be expected, due to the natural composition of the seaweed.

Simply Seaweed does not sell direct to the public – we are a wholesaler only.

If you are interested in purchasing our products for your vet or pet business, please go to our Wholesale Information page.

Otherwise, for a list of online and in-store retailers, please go to our Stockists page.

As seaweed is the natural habitat of many fish and shellfish, there may be traces of marine life in any seaweed product. If your pet has a serious fish or shellfish allergy, they should not be allowed to consume any seaweed products including Simply Seaweed. Pets that are intolerant of seaweed or algae derivatives should also refrain from consuming seaweed products including Simply Seaweed.

It is important to understand the difference between a food intolerance and a food allergy. Whilst they can share many clinical signs, food intolerances are usually less severe and limited to digestive issues. An intolerance is a chemical reaction that occurs within the body, whereas an allergy is an immune system response. A serious allergy can affect the nervous system and result in a life threatening situation.

We do not recommend feeding Ascophyllum nodosum to pregnant or nursing animals, as the safety of doing so has yet to be determined.

We do not recommend feeding Ascophyllum nodosum to dogs and cats under six months of age, as the safety of doing so has yet to be determined. We additionally don’t recommend it as they do not need it – their baby teeth are going to fall out anyway!

Whilst brushing your pet’s teeth is one of the most effective ways of maintaining their dental hygiene, it is certainly not one of the easiest!

Brushing your pet’s teeth will help Simply Seaweed to take action, however, there are other ways to help remove plaque once it has been softened by our product.

Pet dental care is not a one-size-fits-all approach, nor can any one thing get the job done. See Dental Disease in Dogs and Cats for ways to look after your pet’s teeth, including information regarding tooth brushing.

No. We do not provide samples of our product, as results cannot be seen from a once-off use. However, our product is backed by a satisfaction guarantee. If you are not satisfied with our product, for whatever reason, you can return the product for a full refund.

No. We do not include a plastic measuring scoop in every container of Simply Seaweed for the benefit of our environment. Instead, we recommend using standard kitchen measuring spoons.

No. The product is 100% certified organic Ascophyllum nodosum.

Yes.

All wild-harvested seaweed and kelp products contain some level of heavy metals, due to ocean contamination and naturally occurring minerals.

Our seaweed is harvested from clean waters to ensure minimal levels and heavy metal testing conducted to ensure that any detected quantities are within safe limits as per the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ 2002). Additionally, our seaweed is certified organic which enforces even more stringent regulations of allowable trace levels of heavy metals.

Our Nutrition Information discloses the levels of heavy metals. Declared upper limits of heavy metals are often higher than the expected value due to laboratory testing accuracy limitations.

Yes.

All wild-harvested seaweed and kelp products contain some level of arsenic. There are two different types of arsenic: organic and inorganic. Inorganic toxic arsenic occurs due to ocean contamination, whilst organic non-toxic arsenic is a naturally occurring component of seaweed and many other foods including a wide range of plants, grains, meat and seafood.

Our seaweed is harvested from clean waters to ensure minimal levels of inorganic arsenic and testing conducted to ensure that any detected quantities are within safe limits as per the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ 2002). Additionally, our seaweed is certified organic which enforces even more stringent regulations of allowable trace levels of arsenic.

Our Nutrition Information discloses the levels of arsenic. Declared upper limits are often higher than the expected value due to laboratory testing accuracy limitations.

No. Ascophyllum nodosum works systemically through the bloodstream and thus does not need to come into contact with the teeth.

After being consumed by your pet, Ascophyllum nodosum works in several ways to improve dental hygiene, due to its natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesive properties. Existing plaque is softened and new plaque is prevented from sticking to teeth.

The mechanism of action is still not fully understood, but it is thought that the saliva is affected by the seaweed’s phenols, iodine, phosphates, fucoidans, sulphur, zinc, silicates and sulphates.

For a more detailed answer, please see the journal articles provided on our Resources page.

Results do vary and may take up to two months to become noticeable. An improvement in breath is usually observed within a few weeks.

Please see here.

Yes! However, our product is for animal use only (not for human consumption) as our small business is not a registered human food business.

No. Despite commonly being called a kelp, Ascophyllum nodosum isn’t one. Kelp is a type of seaweed. All kelps are seaweeds, but not all seaweeds are kelp.

Caution needs to be taken when feeding multiple kelp or seaweed supplements, to ensure that vitamins and minerals (including heavy metals) are not fed in excess. See our Nutrition Information for the levels in Simply Seaweed.

Some commercially prepared pet food contains kelp or seaweed. The ingredients list of a pet food should display all ingredients in order from most to least by weight. If kelp or seaweed is only present in trace amounts then Simply Seaweed is safe to be fed.

If you are unsure if it is safe to give Simply Seaweed with your pet’s current diet, please consult your veterinarian.

We supply our Ascophyllum nodosum in a granulated (small flake) format for easier usage and to reduce the risk of aspiration.

There is no evidence to suggest efficacy is affected by particle size.

No. Unlike most other products available on the market, Simply Seaweed’s Ascophyllum nodosum has not undergone heat treatment or been dried using excessive heat. This means that 100% of the antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins and antibacterial benefits are retained.

No. Simply Seaweed products are not irradiated, ensuring they are safe for cats (irradiated products can be toxic cats).

Ascophyllum nodosum is usually well tolerated by pets with sensitive stomachs. There has even been some research into the gastrointestinal benefits that Ascophyllum nodosum can provide, likely due to its anti-inflammatory properties and prebiotics – see The Many Uses and Benefits of Ascophyllum nodosum.

However, each animal is different. Ensure that your pet’s gastrointestinal system is at its best before introducing Simply Seaweed. Introduce the product slowly, gradually increasing the dose as toleration is evident. Probiotics may help with transition.

If your pet is unable to tolerate Simply Seaweed, you can return the product for a full refund.

Simply Seaweed branded Ascophyllum nodosum is not VOHC approved.

The worldwide Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) has recognised the dental benefits of Ascophyllum nodosum, however, as the application process for a VOHC Seal of Acceptance for a brand/product is complicated and costly, this unfortunately is not achievable for us as a small business.

• Alga – The singular term for Algae.
• Algae – Aquatic organisms that have the ability to conduct photosynthesis. Seaweed is a type of Algae.
• Kelp – A type of Seaweed, that is big and brown.
• Macroalgae – Another term for Seaweed.
• Marine Algae – A type of Seaweed.
• Microalgae – Microscopic, single-celled Algae.
• Nori – The Japanese term for either Seaweed in general or for the dried red algae sheets used in cooking.
• Phytoplankton – Microscopic Marine Algae.
• Plankton – Microscopic organisms that live in water.
• Sea Vegetable – Edible Seaweed.
• Seagrass – Flowering Seaweed.
• Seaweed – A plant that grows in the sea.

Our seaweed is imported from Canada and Ireland, then locally packaged, managed and distributed.

We are unable to claim that our product is Australian made, as Australian consumer law states that an imported product must undergo a significant change in Australia in order to be claimed as Australian made (note that repackaging and blending does not constitute a major change).

There are many factors that contribute to variations in our product. These include:

• The age of the seaweed plant when it was harvested
• How long ago the plant was harvested
• If the seaweed was growing close to the water’s surface, or deep below
• How long the seaweed was left out to dry before being processed
• The method of drying
• The method of crushing
• Storage conditions
• Position in storage container

As Ascophyllum nodosum does not occur in Australian waters, it must be imported. Simply Seaweed currently has harvesting partners in Canada and Ireland. Please check the batch code of individual containers to determine the country of origin – “C” indicates Canada, “I” indicates Ireland.

Have you given it enough time? It can take a few months for results to be noticeable.

Are your pet’s teeth getting enough mechanical abrasion (e.g. kibble, bones, chews, chew toys) to aid in removing the softened plaque?

Is the maximum daily dosage being fed?

Is the product in-date and has been stored correctly?

Our product is backed by a satisfaction guarantee, so if results aren’t as expected you can return it for a full refund.

Our product is seaweed, seaweed is rich in iodine, and iodine influences thyroid function. A veterinarian needs to determine firstly if Simply Seaweed is recommended, and secondly if the pet’s thyroid treatment plan needs to be modified and/or monitored to account for the additional iodine in the pet’s diet.

Please see the levels of iodine in our product here.

In our experience, pets are not usually bothered by Simply Seaweed added to their food. Some even enjoy it due to the fishy smell and taste! One study Palatability of extruded dog diets supplemented with Ascophyllum nodosum L. (Fucaceae, Phaeophyceae) found that Ascophyllum nodosum did not affect the palatability of dog food.

For pets that are fussy, some suggestions are;

• Start by introducing a very small quantity of the product, gradually increasing the amount up to the recommended dosage.
• If feeding kibble, add a splash of water into the bowl then swirl to encourage the product to stick to the biscuits.
• Mix the product with a small amount of something yummy, such as yoghurt, chicken stock, gravy, margarine, sardines, milk, brewer’s yeast or peanut butter.

Our product is backed by a satisfaction guarantee, so if your pet refuses to consume Simply Seaweed you are welcome to return it for a full refund.