Iodine For Dogs & Cats: Why It's Necessary

• Posted on 10 May 2023
• By Dr. Jill Tack
• Posted in cats, Dog & Cat Supplements, Dog & Cat Wellness, dogs, Pet health
• 0

Iodine is a trace mineral that is essential for both humans and animals. Iodine can help with many functions, but is most important for the proper function of the thyroid gland.

Iodine is a trace mineral that is essential for the body. As of late, it appears to be more necessary than ever before.

I hear of many animals that seem symptomatic of a weakened thyroid, yet nothing is being done to support it because the “diagnostic” tests don’t coincide. The main reason for this trace mineral's importance is because of the tsunami that hit Fukushima, Japan, on March 11, 2011, that destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Deadly plutonium was reported inside and outside the plant after this disaster, as radiation 1,150 times the maximum allowable levels was detected in the ocean waters just north of Japan. Natural News reported that less than a month later, on March 31, 2011, Detroit City Water Supply was tested at  0.28 pCi/l for radioactive Iodine-131, and the EPA did not test for cesium, uranium, or plutonium, all of which are much more deadly and continue to leak from the power plant into the atmosphere. And it just doesn’t stop with our water; our food supply and milk have been tested with high levels of Iodine-131 worldwide.

Iodine is one of those trace minerals the body absorbs in a very minuscule amount when the system's pH is just right. However, if you or your pet is low in iodine, any amount at any pH will give benefits.

How do you get iodine? One way of getting iodine is by using a high-potency iodine supplement, but if that is not available, you can get it from food sources such as black walnut, kelp, and other sea plants, fish, artichokes, asparagus, blueberries, carrots, chives, cucumbers, garlic, quail, and watercress. Processed, refined, and preserved foods can weaken the thyroid, giving more reasons to feed raw, wholesome foods to our pets.

Iodine is also important for pregnant mothers, whether they're animals or humans. Studies show that low iodine concentrations in pregnant women increase the risk for cretinism, mental retardation, attention deficit disorder, human growth hormone deficiency, and other health issues in their children.

Why We Need Iodine

Iodine can help with many functions throughout the body but is most important for the proper function of the thyroid gland.

Iodine is mostly concentrated in the thyroid; the second-highest concentration in the body (especially for females) is in the ovaries. Every cell in the body contains and utilizes iodine. Besides the glandular system, it can be stored in the salivary glands, cerebrospinal fluid, brain, gastric mucosa, choroid plexus, breasts, and ciliary body of the eye. Other reasons you or your dog, cat, or other pet could benefit from iodine include:

• low energy or lethargy
• hypothyroid
• hyperthyroid
• hair loss
• fibrous breast tissue
• autoimmune issues involving the thyroid
• heart and lung problems
• extreme nervousness
• restlessness
• mental degeneration
• goiters
• ADHD

We Are Deficient in Iodine

Michigan and Ohio areas were found to be very deficient in iodine and lacking in our local foods and resources.  In the early 1900s, many food manufacturers started adding iodine to food sources to help decrease the chances of goiters and other thyroid-related diseases. In the 1980’s, many of those companies took the added iodine supplement out of the food. Most people are familiar with Iodized Table salt. What is misunderstood is that iodized table salt does not have enough iodine to promote a healthy thyroid, and it has a bunch of other ingredients that aren’t necessary.

Iodine supplements available at The Pet Beastro:

The important thing to understand is that no levels of radioactive iodine are ever good for the body. None. Zero. Zilch.

For our body to not uptake radioactive iodine, it is imperative that we put the correct amount of iodine into our bodies daily to fulfill the cell receptor’s docking site before the radioactive iodine fills in the parking spot. If we do this regimen for ourselves, why wouldn’t we do it for the sake of our cats and dogs to increase their longevity and reduce the chance of thyroid ailments?

Stop by our retail locations in Madison Heights, Michigan, just north of Detroit, or in Warren, Southeast Corner of East 14 Mile Road and Schoenherr, which are open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm, and Sundays from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Also, visit our 24/7 natural pet food treats, toys, and supplies store online. Please message us on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok for further information!