We know that it is hard for us to imagine a meal on our table without salt being added, but when it comes to dog food, pass on the salt. For dogs, their tolerance for salt is much lower compared to humans. Going above the limit of 3-4 grams per kilogram of body weight can wreck havoc to their health and in some cases, it can even cause premature death.

Sodium, an essential mineral occurs naturally in whole food ingredients and is vital for a balancing the amount of fluids in your dog’s body among other functions. We know that it is difficult to ignore those pleading puppy eyes however, it is time to put a halt to giving them overly processed dog food, secretly slipping table scraps to your pooch or letting them munch on human treats like bacon or sausages as a reward – and it’s all for a good reason.

What happens when my dog consumes too much salt?

Be on alert if you notice that your dog is vomiting, experiencing a loss of appetite or looking lethargic, having diarrhoea, drinking abnormal amounts of water or excessively urinating. The situation can deteriorate quickly once their kidneys and circulatory system struggle to cope and is strained through the loss of water in its body, leading to the swelling of the body. If any of this happens, please bring your dog down to the emergency ward of your nearest veterinary clinic immediately.

Long term effects of too much salt intake can result in high blood pressure and other possible conditions such as stroke, stomach cancer, and heart disease. Yikes!

How to prevent this from happening?

Look out for the ingredients listed on the labels for your dog’s treats. While we now know that sodium is naturally occurring, it should never be an ingredient directly added into their daily meals.

Compared to commercial pet food manufacturers who use excessive amounts of sodium to boost the flavour of kibble and to encourage dogs to drink water due to the nature of dry dog biscuits, The Grateful Pet fresh meals for dogs never contain added sodium, artificial preservatives or questionable ingredients. Our meals contain whole animal protein in the form of premium minced meats, fresh vegetables, fruits and other nutritious wholesome ingredients.

References
Cuteness: How Much Salt Is Unhealthy For Dogs?
Dog Coach Health: Is Salt Bad For Dogs?
Homes Alive Pets: 24 Bad Dog Food Ingredients To Avoid
Pet Poison Hotline: Salt