Do dogs need to eat salt?

Do dogs need to eat salt?

Dogs themselves need metabolism, and the sodium ions in salt are an essential part of metabolism. Therefore, when there is no other source of sodium ions, dogs must eat salt, but it must be controlled within an appropriate amount, otherwise excessive salt intake will also cause discomfort.

How much salt is appropriate for dogs?

According to the NRC American Feed Nutrition Standards, the amount of salt ingested by dogs should be 0.4-0.7 mg/kg/day (i.e. based on body weight). Calculated per kilogram of dog, the daily intake should be 0.4-0.7 mg). If you mainly eat dog food for a long time, because the food itself already contains an appropriate amount of salt, there is no need to add additional salt.

Dogs need to eat salt because lack of salt can cause cancer

Salt is an essential element for dogs. Long-term failure to consume salt will cause physical abnormalities in dogs. When the salt intake is insufficient, the acidity content in the dog's cells will increase sharply, which will damage DNA cells and induce cancer.

Dogs need to eat salt because a lack of salt will increase nerve pressure

The lack and loss of salt will cause the space between polyp cells to shrink, thereby increasing the pressure on peripheral nerves, and dogs will experience muscle cramps and spasms, producing pain.

Dogs need to eat salt because lack of salt will cause hyponatremia and hypochloremia

Hyponatremia and hypochloremia will also occur, manifesting as muscle weakness, nausea and vomiting, headache, drowsiness, and muscle pain. Spasticity, neuropsychiatric symptoms and reversible ataxia, etc.

Dogs need to eat salt because lack of salt will hinder growth

The chemical component of salt is Nacl, which is mainly composed of Cl ions and Na. Both ions play a key role in the blood. It maintains the balance of blood internal pressure, so it is not that dogs cannot eat salt, but they must eat salt! Because the lack of salt in the dog's body will hinder the growth and development of the dog.

Dogs need to eat salt because it can supplement trace elements

Salt can maintain dogs’ physiological functions and maintain electrolyte balance. This is not only because table salt contains sodium chloride, a small amount of iodine, calcium and some trace elements, but table salt can also slightly irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, increase gastric acid secretion and strengthen digestion. Ingesting salt can also help your dog absorb small amounts of magnesium and calcium, which are essential nutrients for dogs.