Can Dogs Eat Salt? 3 Signs Your Dog Has Eaten Too Much Salt

Canines can consume a small amount of salt in their daily diet of commercial dog food or homemade dog food—this helps to replenish their electrolytes.

Without an adequate amount of sodium chloride in a dog’s system, the animal can develop hyponatremia, which can result in nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. On the other hand, if your dog eats large portions of human foods containing excessive salt, such as potato chips or pretzels, this high salt intake could cause life-threatening health conditions. Dangerous side effects include dehydration and muscle tremors.

Excessive salt ingestion can pose dangerous health risks to your pet, including:

• Dehydration: Excessive salt can cause a dog's cells to dehydrate rapidly. Severe dehydration can lead to visible lethargy, confusion, and other detrimental neurological effects as a result of brain swelling. Your dog might also experience muscle cramps and joint stiffness due to high levels of sodium in their system.
• High blood pressure: High salt levels in your dog's blood can lead to hypernatremia and high blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure can be hazardous if your dog suffers from anemia. If your pet has naturally high blood pressure, you should refrain from feeding them salty foods and possibly switch them to low-sodium dog food.
• Sodium ion poisoning: Your dog's consumption of large amounts of salty snacks, rock salt, or table salt can lead to elevated sodium levels in your pet's bloodstream. An extremely high sodium imbalance can equal salt toxicity, or sodium ion poisoning. This condition can cause severe gastrointestinal issues, muscle tremors, heart attack, and in some cases, death. If your pet shows signs of sodium ion poisoning, you should rush them to your local veterinarian as soon as possible, so they can receive IV fluids and other life-saving treatments.

Consider contacting an animal poison control office or pet poison hotline if your dog presents severe signs of salt poisoning. Symptoms include:

1. 1. Excessive thirst: The first sign of dehydration is a dog's drive or thirst for fresh water. Ensure your dog has access to drinking water after consuming a lot of salt. Provide your pet with a clean water bowl and fill it up regularly to meet their liquid intake needs and return their system to a normal fluid balance.
2. 2. Frequent urination: Polyuria, or increased urination, can be a common sign your pup has consumed too much salt. Your dog might urinate more often due to their increased water consumption. Note that frequent urination could also be a sign of a urinary tract infection or kidney problems.
   
3. 3. Gastrointestinal upset: A few gulps of ocean water or small amounts of sodium could cause your dog to experience gastrointestinal symptoms, such as a lack of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Provide fresh drinking water and these minor health problems could pass as your dog’s rehydration improves; however, you should seek medical attention immediately if these gastrointestinal symptoms persist.

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

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