For the Bollywood fans reading this, there’s a very popular dialogue from the movie ‘Sholay’ – “Sarkar, maine aapka namak khaya hai.”; which translates to – ‘Master, I’ve eaten your salt.’ This dialogue intends to say ‘I’ve eaten your salt and hence I will be loyal to you.’ Now the reason for your dog’s loyalty towards you also could be the same – they’ve eaten your salt. But who knew that this very salt could even be poisonous for your dog?
Okay, we know we are over-dramatizing this. But salt poisoning in dogs is real and common. Sodium is something that almost all animals, including humans, need for day-to-day functioning as it is an essential electrolyte in the body. Salt is the most common source of it. However, excess salt intake can cause severe problems for dogs and in extreme cases can even be fatal.
Dog Salt Overdose
Here are some possible ways your dog may end up ingesting too much salt –
Salt water – Your dog can end up drinking too much salt water, probably at the beach.
Toys – Homemade playdough or salt dough can also be risky at times if the dog ends up ingesting them.
Paintballs - Most paintballs are slightly more than a half-inch in diameter, making them small enough to be swallowed easily.
Table salt – If there’s salt fallen on the dining table and your dog ends up licking a lot of it, it may cause problems. The same is the case with soy sauce.
Salty foods – Chips, pretzels, or any other kinds of foods that are seasoned with salt can cause problems for your dog if ingested in heavy quantities.
No fresh water – Lack of access to fresh water causes sodium imbalance in the dog’s body.
But what exactly happens when a dog ingests too much salt?
Dog Salt Toxicity
Sodium or salt toxicity is caused by sodium chloride, which is used to maintain the levels of water in the body. It is an essential part of the dog’s metabolism system. When there is excess sodium chloride in the bloodstream, the brain cells release water to dilute it. This causes dehydration in the body. Because of this, the muscles lose moisture and hence shrivel and become stiff. This in return can cause shaking and jerking.
The amount of salt required to cause poisoning in dogs depends on the size of the dog. Salt toxicosis can occur when a dog eats as little as two to three grams of sodium chloride for every kilogram of body weight. (1) That means a toy breed like a Shitzu or a Yorkshire Terrier could become ill after eating less than a teaspoon, whereas a giant breed like a Great Dane would have to consume over four tablespoons to see the effects.
So, how do you identify salt poisoning in dogs?
Symptoms of Salt Poisoning in Dogs
The most common symptoms of salt poisoning in dogs reported are –
Vomiting
Watery Diarrhea
Refusal to eat
Lethargy
High fever
Extreme thirst or urination
Tongue swelling
Increased heart rate
Nausea
Lack of coordination
In extreme cases, the following severe symptoms are also possible –
Tremors or seizures
Respiratory distress
Fluid buildup
Coma
Salt poisoning in dogs has also resulted in death in some cases.
What to Do in Case of Dog Sodium Poisoning
Now that we know that sodium poisoning can be extremely harmful to dogs, as caring pet parents, we need to ensure its prevention. But if the dog is already showing any of the above signs, we recommend you immediately consult a vet.
The vet may conduct any or a combination of the below tests to detect the condition. (2)
Blood tests
Ultrasound
X-Rays
Urinalysis
Dietary Analysis
Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid
However, as a primary action, you can provide fresh water to the dog. But do remember not to offer too much water. Any type of rapid treatment can cause swelling in their brains. It can also cause vomiting.
Salt Poisoning Treatment for Dogs
Once the poisoning is identified in the dog, your vet may resort to the following treatment options.
Medications – To control the symptoms like seizures, fever, vomiting, etc. the vet may administer some medicines.
Hospitalization – In case of severe poisoning, the vet may recommend hospitalizing the dog for close monitoring.
Fluids – Intravenous fluids are one of the primary treatments for salt toxicity. They help reduce the concentration of sodium in the blood and rehydrate the dog.
Some people may suggest inducing vomiting at home can help eliminate the salt from the dog’s body. But it is recommended that you do so only under a vet’s guidance.
Preventing Salt Poisoning in Dogs
As they say, prevention is the best cure. There are multiple things you can take care of to prevent salt poisoning in your dog. These include –
Avoid swimming in saltwater bodies.
Keep a close eye on the dog when they are playing with items like playdough.
Do not keep salt or any other salty item like snacks, soy sauce, etc. in the open within the dog’s reach.
Clean your dog’s paws after a walk, especially during winter months.
And the most important one is to always keep fresh water accessible to your four-legged buddy.
FAQs
Will going to the beach make my dog sick?
If your dog spends a lot of time on the beach, there are chances of them ingesting salt water while swimming, getting overheated in the sun, chewing sea-soaked toys and ingesting harmful substances like sand or toxic marine life. All of these can cause sickness in dogs.
What to do if your dog drinks saltwater?
The first step here should be to provide fresh water to your dog immediately to help flush out the salt. After that, you must look for signs like vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy. If you see any, you must consult a vet at the earliest.
Thompson, L. J. (2022, May 9). Salt toxicosis in animals. MSD Veterinary Manual. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/toxicology/salt-toxicosis/salt-toxicosis-in-animals
