Can Dogs Eat Salt?
Don't add salt. Dogs need sodium, but they already get it from their food; added salt is unnecessary and, in large amounts, causes poisoning that can be serious.
Why it's dangerous
Sodium is an essential nutrient, and any complete commercial food or well-balanced homemade diet (with its vitamin and mineral supplement) already covers what a dog needs. That's why homemade dog food has no added salt: it isn't needed and, over time, extra salt puts a strain on dogs with heart or kidney problems.
In high doses, salt is toxic. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, signs of poisoning can appear in dogs from about 2-3 g of salt per kg of body weight, and about 4 g/kg can be fatal: for a 10 kg (22 lb) dog, that's 20-30 g of salt, roughly one to two tablespoons. Excess sodium pulls water out of cells, including brain cells, and causes vomiting, intense thirst, tremors and seizures. Typical situations are homemade play dough or salt dough from crafts, rock salt used for de-icing, drinking a lot of seawater at the beach, salty snacks and the old “remedy” of giving salt to make a dog vomit, which should never be done.
Is any amount safe?
None added. To judge urgency: symptoms can appear from about 2-3 g of salt per kg of body weight. For a 5 kg (11 lb) dog that's 10-15 g (about 2 to 2½ teaspoons); for a 20 kg (44 lb) dog, 40-60 g. A level tablespoon of salt weighs about 15-18 g.
Risks
- Sodium poisoning from large amounts
- Homemade play dough and salt dough
- Rock salt for de-icing in winter
- Seawater at the beach
- Salty snacks, deli meats and ham
- Giving salt to make them vomit
Frequently asked questions
Do dogs need salt?
They need sodium, like we do, but not added salt. The meat, fish, eggs and vitamin and mineral supplement in a homemade diet already provide the sodium they need, and complete commercial foods include it. Adding salt gives them nothing and can harm dogs with heart or kidney problems.
What happens if my dog drinks seawater?
A few gulps while playing usually cause nothing more than some diarrhea. If they drink a lot, especially when they spend hours fetching a ball in the water, they can get salt poisoning: vomiting, diarrhea, intense thirst, lethargy and, in severe cases, tremors. Bring fresh water to the beach, take breaks and call your vet if they show symptoms.
Is homemade play dough dangerous for dogs?
Yes. Homemade play dough and craft salt dough contain a lot of salt, and dogs are drawn to the smell. A large piece can be enough to poison a small dog. If your dog ate some, call your vet with their weight and the approximate amount, even if they don't have symptoms yet.
General information reviewed against veterinary sources. If your dog has eaten something that worries you, call your vet or a 24-hour emergency vet right away, without waiting for symptoms.