Controversy Over Carrageenan in Dog Food

With so many questionable ingredients in dog and cat food these days, it can be very confusing to know what’s okay and what’s not. One such food ingredient is very common in many dog food brands. It’s called carrageenan, and it’s typically used as a thickening agent so that foods appear more ‘loaf-like’. But is it something that your dog needs, and is it safe for dogs?

Let’s dive into what we know about carrageenan in dog food.

What Is Carrageenan?

Carrageenan is a product of Irish moss, which is an edible red seaweed. It is used as a thickener or gelling agent in human food and in pet food. It’s also in many other products for humans, like shampoo, gel air fresheners, and even diet soda.

Carrageenan is plant-based, so many people might think it’s a vegan alternative to other food additives used for the same purpose, like gelatin from animals. It’s also something that’s found in organic foods, but does that mean it’s safe?

Carrageenan is typically only found in canned pet foods, which are loaf-like, to help hold the shape. Therefore, it’s not usually found in dry food; rather, it’s usually only found in wet dog food. There have, however, been warnings about carrageenan as a food additive.

Is Carrageenan Safe for Your Dog’s Food?

There has been a lot of controversy over carrageenan as an ingredient in pet food. Much of the concern isn’t about the natural derivative that comes from seaweed; instead, it’s about how carrageenan is extracted.

Industrially-produced carrageenan is extracted from seaweed using strong alkaline solvents. That means it’s highly processed. But there are even bigger problems than that.

There are different types of carrageenan, and one type — poligeenan carrageenan — causes gastrointestinal inflammation. In fact, poligeenan is used to intentionally cause intestinal inflammation in animal experiments.

It’s also a known carcinogen. That is to say, it is known to cause cancer. Researchers have found that carrageenan triggers your dog’s body to produce a molecule called Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, or TNF-⍺. This molecule causes two opposing reactions: it stimulates inflammation, and it causes apoptosis or cell death.

This helps create balance in the immune system since it defends against certain pathogenic organisms such as bacteria. On the surface that sounds like it’s a good thing, and that may be part of why many people in the wellness community recommend it.

But, the problem is that TNF-⍺ has been implicated in certain chronic inflammatory diseases, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), asthma, and certain autoimmune diseases as well as cancer. Researchers have found that the digestive process can convert carrageenans to dangerous poligeenan, which then causes problems like IBD for both dogs and cats.

Therefore, even though some carageenan producers, pet food manufacturers, and even veterinary nutritionists say that food-grade carrageenan is safe for dogs, that isn’t necessarily true. Even food-grade carrageenan contains small percentages of those very damaging properties.

Additionally, yet another problem with carrageenan is that some seaweed sources, those coming from waters north of the equator, may have been contaminated by radioactivity as a result of the Fukushima nuclear reactor site disaster. While most carrageenan comes from South American countries, any seaweed products harvested from the north are likely contaminated for the foreseeable future.

Other Research into the Effects of Carrageenan in Dogs

There have been a few other studies done that have shown problems that can be caused by carrageenan in pet food. One study demonstrated that carrageenan increases free radicals, which directly cause intestinal inflammation and have been implicated in the disruption of insulin metabolism. The latter can lead to diabetes.

Another study found that carrageenan is a factor in certain cancers. This study found specifically that it causes intestinal ulcers and neoplastic lesions (tumors). The authors of that study recommended that carrageenan should no longer be used as a stabilizer, emulsifier, or thickening agent.

A different study found, however, that carrageenan wasn’t broken down in the gut, and therefore didn’t enter the body to cause negative effects. Specifically, this study found that carrageenan was not cytotoxic and didn’t cause inflammation by increasing the production of inflammatory proteins.

It’s easy, therefore, to see how confusing the research can be, and that can cause loving pet parents to fear making the wrong decision about what they should feed their best friends. As it turns out, many people and government agencies are worried about the possible side effects of carrageenan.

Government Warnings About Carrageenan

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizes carrageenan as GRAS, meaning that it is generally recognized as safe. The American Animal Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) have also said it is an acceptable emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickener. There are, however, several warnings about this common food additive.

The European Union bans its use in infant formulas, and the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) recommends its removal from the list of approved organic ingredients. It cites that there is sufficient proof that there are safer alternatives, like guar gum, that can be used as a thickening agent.

In 2018, however, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) ruled against the NOSB’s recommendation. So what can loving pet owners do?

Seek Carrageenan-Free, Human-Grade Nutrition

If you’re looking for a healthy food alternative for your best friend, you might check out JustFoodForDogs. The recipes include high-quality ingredients that provide human-grade nutrition.

They’re one of the only pet food companies that offer whole, fresh ingredients and recipes that are free of preservatives and unnecessary by-products. Their mission is to deliver high-quality nutritional products to every dog every day.

Their guiding principle is to change every pet’s life for the better by providing them with human-grade nutrition in the form of tasty meals made with fresh, whole ingredients. They offer recipes in shelf-stable packaging and fresh frozen options. You can see the food in action at one of their many open-to-the-public kitchens.

They also have veterinary-prescribed meals for those pets with special needs. Finally, they haven’t forgotten about dog treats. And if you feel your pet needs a little something extra, they also offer nutritional supplements.

With fresh, whole foods, you will see a big difference in your best friend’s health and vigor!

To learn more about carrageenan in dog food, visit The Cornucopia Institute’s website.

This post was reviewed and approved by a veterinarian.