A BARF diet, primarily consisting of meat, bones, and supplements, can also be enriched with various nutritional supplements. You can learn about which supplements are suitable and beneficial for BARF in our article. This article will focus on why chlorella is good for dogs and what vitamins and minerals it contains.

Chlorella

Chlorella is classified as a single-celled freshwater algae. Due to its high content of proteins (around 50%), chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, it is used as a dietary supplement not only for humans but also for animals.

Vitamins for Dogs

This green freshwater algae is a source of B vitamins, especially B12, as well as vitamins E, C, beta-carotene, and folic acid.

Minerals

Chlorella contains minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc.

What Are the Positive Effects of Chlorella on Dogs?

Chlorella is a beneficial addition to a dog's diet because it boosts the immune system, protects against free radicals, improves coat condition, and supports reproduction. Beta-carotene protects dogs from carcinogenic substances. It also helps eliminate heavy metals from the body and detoxify the system. Chlorophyll positively impacts gut flora and neutralizes bad breath.

As we’ve mentioned, a basic daily meal should consist of 50-60% meat, 20-30% bones, and 20-30% supplements. The total amount of food a dog should consume daily is around 2-3% of their ideal weight. The feeding plan should be as varied as possible, which means offering your dog a range of meats, bones, fruits, and vegetables to ensure they get the necessary nutrients. However, some dogs may refuse vegetables, or despite a balanced diet, they might experience immune problems. In such cases, chlorella can be an excellent source of missing nutrients or a preventative measure against certain illnesses.

The dosage of chlorella should be indicated on the product label. It’s best to start with small doses and gradually increase the amount, monitoring how your dog responds to chlorella.

If, by chance, chlorella causes any issues for your dog, you might try introducing aloe vera into their diet, which you can read more about in our article.