The exceptional holistic benefits of Krill and Krill oil have been proven time and time again for many species, including humans.  It has far surpassed even fish oil for similar functions and offers many other natural benefits.The blanket term ‘Krill’ refers to all 85 deep water marine planktonic crustacean species, which combined make up the world’s most abundant biomass. Krill has been informally harvested since the early 1800’s and they are one of the most efficiently renewable food resources.

Krill is available in several forms for our pets, including frozen, various grades of ‘meal’, whole freeze-dried, flaked/ground freeze-dried and oil. These can be used as ingredients in homemade pet food recipes or mixed with commercial food as a natural supplement. Cats will often eat pieces of  freeze-dried Krill as a nutritious treat.

Krill is rich in DHA, Phospholipids (stimulates the building of cell membranes) and Essential Fatty Acids, including Omega 3, 6 and 9. Both DHA and EPA are crucial to fighting and preventing disease and overall health.

Astaxanthin, a carotenoide, is abundant in Krill. In fact, over 95% of the pigments present in krill are in the form of astaxanthin, measuring a whopping 100 to 300 parts per million (ppm=mg/1). It is a more powerful antioxidant than Lutein, Alpha-tocopherol, Lycopene and Beta-carotene.

As a supplement, Krill Oil is naturally more stable and bio-available than fish oil and it contains no heavy metals. Krill far outperforms fish oil for heart and liver fat reduction. It is also higher than fish (and vitamins A & E) in antioxidants.

The natural immunity enhancement provided by Krill through its amazing nutrient profile is combined with unique contributions such as Chitin, which is 2.4 – 2.7% of their dry weight. It also promotes early development of the immune system, resulting in increased survival rates of newborns.

Since scientific research on the effects of any item can be lacking for specific species, we suggest you research the known benefits of each holistic component to determine what krill offers to your pet. Following is some basic information to get you started:

  •     Krill contains unsurpassed levels of bio-available Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (HUFA) and Essential Fatty Acids (EFA)
  •     Exceptionally high Omega 3 Fatty Acids
  •     Contains Phospholipids
  •     High in Antioxidants
  •     Excellent source of Carotenoide astaxanthin
  •     Rich in bio-available minerals
  •     Krill is a rare source of cohabitating Hydrolytic enzymes (Phospholipases, Proteases, Nucleases & Carbohydrases)
  •     Natural source of Choline.
  •     Natural immunity enhancing properties
  •     Natural Source of Chitosan (derivative of Krill Chitin)
  •     Anti-inflammatory properties
  •     Anti-fungal properties
  •     Krill contains a wide range of biochemicals
  •     Offers Photoprotectors
  •     Reduces fat in your pet’s heart & liver
  •     Krill is lower in Ash and Phosphorus by comparison to fish or shrimp meal
  •     Moderate caloric content
  •     Krill is easily digested

The use of Krill for holistic pet care has yielded positive results in regards to the following:

  •     Stimulates the immunological system in pets
  •     Provides exceptional cardiovascular support
  •     Beneficial dietary supplement during pet pregnancy & lactating
  •     Increase in newborn pet survival and healthy growth rates
  •     Natural treatment of arthritis / joint conditions in pets
  •     Improved skin and coat condition (through improved collagen production)
  •     Improved appetite/intake/palatability (masks the taste of medication)
  •     Maintains healthy blood lipid levels
  •     Krill naturally improves chemioperception in pets
  •     Decreased recovery time in pets when fed Krill pre & post-operative
  •     May naturally decrease hyperactivity, anxiety and minor aggression in pets
  •     Overall revitalization & improved alertness
  •     Krill naturally protects pets from UV rays
  •     Natural treatment of pet nutritional disorders

Aquarium Fish & Shrimp enjoy all of the above, as well as:

  •     Increased egg production in aquarium fish, shrimp and snails fed Krill
  •     Naturally conditions captive fish, shrimp & snails for breeding.
  •     Improved egg and offspring health from a diet supplemented with Krill
  •     Better finnage growth and fin quality in show fish
  •     Naturally enhanced coloration/pigment in aquarium fish and shrimp
  •     Calms ‘nervous’ species of aquarium fish
  •     Krill is rich in trimethylamine oxide, which improves osmoreguation in fish

Very exciting stuff!  In fact, I became so convinced while researching this product that I now take Krill oil supplements.

Sources:
Aker BioMarine (2019) Increased essential nutrient levels in dogs supplemented with krill meal.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Department of the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Krill, Euphausia superba“. MarineBio.org.
Allahpichay, I. and Shimizu, C. (1985). Separation of growth promoting factors from non-muscle krill meal of Euphausia superba. Bull. Japanese Soc. Sci. Fish. 51, 945-951.
Determination of the nutritional value, protein quality and safety of krill protein concentrate isolated using an isoelectric solubilization/precipitation technique. Animal and Nutritional Sciences Food chemistry 2008, vol. 111, no1, pp. 209-214 .
Allahpichay and Shmizu. (1984) Bull. Jpn. Sci. Fish. 50:815-820
M.D. Hogne Vik, EVP, Documentation, Aker BioMarine
E. Gaten. “Meganyctiphanes norvegica“. University of Leicester. Retrieved on 2009-02-25.
E. Brinton (1953). “Thysanopoda spinicauda, a new bathypelagic giant euphausiid crustacean, with comparative notes on T. cornuta and T. egregia”. Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences 43: 408-412.
R. Gurney (1942). “Larvae of decapod crustacea”. Royal Society Publications 129.
Krill for human consumption: nutritional value and potential health benefits. Tou JC, Jaczynski J, Chen YC. Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences. Nutr Rev. 2007 Feb;65(2):63-77. J. Mauchline & L. R. Fisher (1969). “The biology of euphausiids”. Advances in Marine Biology 7.
Comparative net absorption of chelated and inorganic trace minerals in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus diets. Paripantanont and Lovell, 1997. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, 28:62-67
Effects of Krill Oil on serum lipids of hyperlipidemic rats and human SW480 cells. Jia-Jin Zhu, Jia-Hui Shi, Wen-Bin Qian, Zhen-Zhen Cai and Duo Li. Lipids in Health and Disease 2008.
Christiansen, R. .Lie, O. J. Torrissen (1994). Effect of astaxanthin and Vitamin A on growth and survival during first feeding of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L Aquaculture and Fisheries Management 1994, 25, 903-914.
Effect of dietary modification on fin quality of Erwin strain rainbow trout. Barrows and Lellis. Bozeman fish Technology Center.
Supplemental effect of the whole body krill of the Euphausia superba in fish diet. Allahpichay and Shmizu. (1984) Bull. Jpn. Sci. Fish. 50:815-820
Shrimp Nutrition & Disease: Role of Vitamins and astaxanthine. Kurmaly (1996). Roche Aquaculture Center.
Dietary intake of immunostimulant by rainbow trout affects non-specific immunity and protection against furunculosis. Siwicki, A.K., Anderson, D.P. and Rumsey, G.L. (1994) Veterinary immunology & immunopathology
K. Haberman (1997-02-26). “Answers to miscellaneous questions about krill“. NASA.
Shimizu, C., Ibrahim, A., Toroko, T. and Shirakawa, Y. (1990). Feeding stimulation in sea bream, Pagrus major, fed diets supplemented with Antarctic krill meals.
Aquaculture 89, 43-53. Siwiki, A., Anderson, P., Rumsey, G. (1994). Dietary intake of immunostimulant by rainbow trout effects non-specific immunity and protection against furunculosis. Veterinary immunology and immunopathology. 41: 125-139.
Yamashita, E., (2006), The Effects of a Dietary Supplement Containing Astaxanthin on Skin Condition. Carotenoid Science, 10:91-95.
Yamashita, E., (1995), Suppression of post UVB hyperpigmentation by topical astaxanthin from krill. Fragrance Journal 14:180-185.

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39 thoughts on “Natural Wonders of Krill for Pets

  1. I feed kril to my dog, cats and turtles in treat recipes. It’s much healthier than red meat and it gives them nutrients that are hard to find in protein food. I like your ground kril because I can stir it in well and mix it into raw treats too. It’s so fresh it almost knocks me over when I open the bag, I can tell you get it locally.

  2. I’ve been giving my fish krill for several months and you’re right there’s a big difference not only in color but in general health.

  3. I’ve been keeping fish for almost 40 years and I’ve never tried anything that beats krill. I put it in my agar food & grind it up for fry to make them grow big & strong. Their color is breathtaking and I’ve raised quite a few show winners!

  4. My dogs and cats all get freeze dried krill and occasionally krill & fish oil. I don’t know if it’s better than fish oil but it does come with different benefits so I give them both.

  5. I think I’m paying your mortgage with all the krill I buy from you LMAO. It’s good stuff and economical goodness though, even my pet frogs love it.

  6. I been feeding krill to my grow-out fish for years and it hasn’t failed me yet. They grow fast, strong and the guppies have tails that you wouldn’t believe.

    • I want to thank you for this post about krill because there are some things you won’t find out about from a vet.

  7. Nothing beats krill for growing animals. It can even prevent birth defects and deformities. I’ll place another order soon!

  8. I’ve been reading about krill oil but it sounds like freeze dried krill offers a few things more for my cats.

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