Can Dogs Get Salt Poisoning? Salty Foods to Avoid

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

Dogs need a little salt, but too much is dangerous. Cases of salt poisoning are uncommon, but they can happen quickly from sources owners often overlook, such as homemade dough and seawater at the beach.

Salt and sodium in the diet

Sodium is an essential mineral that regulates fluid balance and nerve function. Complete dog foods contain enough. See essential minerals for dogs. Dogs generally tolerate moderate amounts of salt if they have access to water, but excess can overwhelm the body.

How much is too much?

Veterinary references suggest that signs can appear at around 2 to 3 grams of sodium chloride per kilogram of body weight, and doses of around 4 grams per kilogram can be fatal. For a ten-kilogram dog, that is only a couple of tablespoons of table salt, or less. A salty snack, such as a handful of crisps, is unlikely to be a problem for a large dog, but a small dog may be affected by greater amounts.

Common sources

• Salt dough and homemade playdough, very high in salt. See raw bread dough for a different dough danger.
• Seawater. Dogs playing at the beach can swallow large amounts while fetching toys.
• Rock salt and de-icing salt. Dogs may lick salt from paws or eat it from pavements.
• Soy sauce, pickles, stock cubes, salty meats and cured fish.
• Salty snacks. See popcorn for dogs.
• Paintballs and some homemade salt-based products.
• Oral rehydration or salt tablets.

Signs

• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Excessive thirst and urination
• Drooling
• Lethargy
• Loss of coordination
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Coma

Signs usually begin within a few hours.

What to do

1. Remove the source.
2. Call your vet, an emergency clinic or a pet poison helpline immediately.
3. Provide fresh water in small amounts, unless advised otherwise. Do not force large amounts of water, since rapid changes in sodium can be dangerous.
4. Follow advice. Treatment may include careful intravenous fluids, with monitoring of blood sodium over a day or two.

See our guide to what to do if your dog is poisoned.

Treatment

Salt poisoning is treated with controlled fluid therapy. Lowering sodium too fast can cause brain swelling, so it must be done gradually under veterinary supervision. Most dogs recover if treated promptly, but severe cases can be fatal.

Beach safety

• Provide fresh water in a bowl, and offer it regularly.
• Avoid retrieving games in the surf with toys that soak up seawater.
• Rinse paws and coat after swimming.
• Watch for excessive drinking of seawater and vomiting.

Winter safety

• Wipe paws after walks on salted roads.
• Use pet-safe de-icers.
• Store rock salt out of reach.

Water and salt

Dogs with plenty of fresh water and normal kidneys can handle small amounts of salty food. See how much water a dog should drink.

Salt dough ornaments

Homemade salt dough decorations are a classic craft, and a significant cause of salt poisoning when dogs eat them. A small ornament may contain a large amount of salt relative to a dog's weight. Keep craft projects out of reach while they dry, and store ornaments on high shelves. If your dog eats salt dough, treat it as an emergency, even if it only ate a little.

Water access and kidney disease

Dogs with kidney or heart disease are more sensitive to sodium. If your dog has one of these conditions, ask your vet which foods and treats are safe, and consider low-sodium options. Check labels on treats, canned foods and broths. Always make sure fresh water is available.

The takeaway

Salt poisoning is rare but serious. Avoid salty foods, keep salt products out of reach, and call your vet immediately if your dog eats a lot.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different. If your dog is unwell, or you are unsure about a symptom, diet change or medication, contact your veterinarian.