A green thread throughout history

Although it is often called an alga, spirulina is actually a cyanobacterium (blue-green alga). It grows naturally in alkaline lakes in tropical and subtropical climates. The most well-known species used in dietary supplements is Arthrospira platensis.

Ancient superfood: The Aztecs in Mexico harvested spirulina from Lake Texcoco as early as the 1500s. They dried it into cakes called "tecuitlatl" and ate it for endurance on long journeys.

Kanem Empire: At Lake Chad in Africa, the local population (the Kanembu people) have harvested spirulina for centuries to make "dihé," a type of dried cake used in stews.

NASA and the future: In the 1980s, NASA proposed spirulina as a potential food source to be grown in space for astronauts, thanks to its extremely concentrated nutritional content.

At first glance, a dog and a horse may seem worlds apart. One is a pack-living hunter that sleeps on our sofa, the other a grass-eating prey animal that carries us across the fields. But if we scratch the surface, we find striking biological parallels. Both species live today in a modern world that their bodies are not entirely adapted to – with processed feed, environmental toxins, and stress.

This is where spirulina enters the picture, a microscopic blue-green alga that has survived for billions of years and today serves as a link between the well-being of dogs and horses.

The common enemy: Inflammation

Perhaps the greatest similarity between horses and dogs is how their bodies react to strain. A competition horse performing at its peak and an active dog rushing through the woods are both exposed to oxidative stress. This leads to microscopic inflammation in joints and muscles.

Spirulina contains the unique pigment phycocyanin. This substance acts as a powerful antioxidant in both dogs and horses by inhibiting the enzyme CO2, the same mechanism that many anti-inflammatory drugs use – but in a completely natural way. By adding spirulina, we help the older dog rise more easily from its bed and the stiff horse to find engagement in its trot.

The immune system and the modern environment

Today, we see an explosion of allergies in our animals. Horses suffer from summer eczema and dust sensitivity, while dogs struggle with food allergies and itchy paws. There is a clear parallel here: both species' immune systems are often overreactive.

Spirulina acts as an immunomodulator. This means it doesn't just "boost" the immune system, but helps to balance it. Studies show that spirulina can block the release of histamines. For the horse, this can mean a summer without a rug, and for the dog, it can mean the end of endless paw licking.

Protein – The building block for performance read more via our link Spirulina Power Shot 6g – Natural Superfood for Dogs | xDogs AB

Regardless of whether it is a muscular Quarter Horse or an agile Border Collie, the need for high-quality protein is identical. Spirulina consists of up to 70% protein and contains all essential amino acids. What makes it so unique for these specific animals is its high bioavailability. Since spirulina lacks cellulose walls (unlike ordinary plants), both the dog's short digestive system and the horse's complex hindgut can quickly absorb the nutrients.