When it comes to salt, our dogs aren’t that much different from us. Just as we need sodium in our diets for maintaining a balance of body fluids, allowing nerves and muscles to function properly, and regulating blood pressure, so do our dogs.
However, the line between necessary and dangerous salt levels is particularly thin for canines. “While salt is a normal part of any diet in small amounts, excessive salt can be very dangerous for dogs,” according to Michael Hyder, medical director, VEG ER for Pets in Palo Alto, Calif.
What Do Low-Sodium Labels Mean?
The real issue isn’t salt itself, but the excess of it. It’s important for owners to note that when choosing commercial products: “While there are definitions established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding sodium for human foods, there are none for pet foods or pet treats. Therefore, pet treats or foods that claim to be ‘low sodium’ may or may not actually be low enough in sodium for your pet,” according to experts at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
Salt Toxicity: The Symptoms of Salt Poisoning
Excessive salt intake can cause a condition called hypernatremia, or salt poisoning, which occurs when the sodium levels in the bloodstream become too high. This can disrupt cellular function and affect major organs, especially the brain.
Symptoms of salt toxicity in dogs may include the following, according to Dr. Hyder:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive thirst or urination
- Lethargy or confusion
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- In severe cases, coma or death
Understanding the Danger of Salt
Understanding the fine line between the sodium required for healthy bodily functions and the toxic levels found in many human foods is the key to keeping your canine companion safe.
“The total amount of daily salt that is safe for dogs is based on their weight, underlying health problems, and complicating factors like access to water, so this will vary from one dog to another,” according to Dr. Amy Fox, a New York-based veterinarian. “In general, serious signs of toxicity will occur when dogs ingest about 2 grams of salt per kilogram [or about 2.2 pounds] of body weight, but at lower doses, toxicity can occur if any complicating factors are present. A gram of salt is about 1/6 of a teaspoon.
“Foods that are very salty should be avoided for all dogs, and especially for dogs with health problems like heart disease and kidney disease,” says Dr. Fox. “Salt can be a serious problem when dogs ingest large amounts of it accidentally in food, inedible items like homemade play dough—or salt dough—or if they ingest forms of salt that contain other ingredients besides sodium and chloride, such as ice melt, which may be toxic.”
What To Do If Your Dog Consumes Salt?
Your dog just scarfed down a bunch of french fries! Now what?
“If you suspect your dog has eaten a salty food or product, especially something like rock salt, salt dough, or brine,” Dr. Hyder says it’s important to act quickly.
- Do not induce vomiting at home, unless specifically instructed by a veterinarian.
- Call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away. (You can reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.)
- Monitor your dog for signs of toxicity, especially neurological symptoms or extreme thirst.
Understanding sodium is about balance. One key to prevention is ensuring your dog always has fresh, unrestricted access to water—a critical defense mechanism that helps the body process and excrete excess sodium safely.
Do you know the answers to common questions about sodium? As a dog owner, it’s important that you do. As a fun to test (or improve) your knowledge, take the “Are You Sodium Savy Quiz,” compiled by Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
