Debunking the Myth: Cats and Dogs Can Eat Salt!

Firstly, regarding kidney disease, there have only been some loosely associated speculations put forth by the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ESAVS) – that is, if cats and dogs consume food with a salt content exceeding 9.6% over a prolonged period, it could lead to reduced digestibility, indigestion, elevated hemoglobin levels, and significant impact on the kidneys.

However, please note that these are mere speculations. After all, who in everyday life would consistently feed their pets food with such a high salt content? Therefore, the claim that excessive salt intake can cause kidney failure in cats and dogs is unfounded.

Secondly, concerning hypertension, numerous studies have analyzed and concluded that there is no connection between the salt intake in a cat or dog's diet, regardless of their age, kidney health, or the amount of salt consumed, and an increase in blood pressure.

Moving on to heart disease, the experimental results conducted by experts to date indicate that the amount of salt in the diet has no effect on the myocardial function or anatomical parameters of cats and dogs. Therefore, there is no need to worry about your beloved pets developing heart conditions due to salt consumption.

Lastly, there is a belief that salt can lead to urinary stones in cats and dogs. However, the primary cause of urinary stones in pets is actually insufficient water intake. With less water consumed, they urinate less frequently, causing the concentration of inorganic salts in their bodies to rise, and the precipitation of these salts in urine forms urinary stones. Therefore, ensuring that your pets drink plenty of water is the effective way to prevent urinary stones.

So, pet owners need not worry excessively. Cats and dogs can indeed consume salt.

Because more than 90% of sodium ions in animals are found in extracellular fluid, where they help maintain cell osmotic pressure and electrolyte balance. Insufficient sodium ion concentration can lead to cell leakage, causing cells to shrivel, and potentially resulting in hyponatremia, electrolyte imbalances, acidbase disturbances, and orthostatic hypotension.

Research also shows that cats and dogs have an excellent ability to metabolize salt, and relatively high salt content (3%5%) does not pose a burden on their bodies. The salt content in regular cat and dog food ranges from 0.5% to 1.5%, which is not harmful to their health.

However, when the salt content in the body reaches 7.25%, it can cause vomiting in cats and dogs. Therefore, pet owners must be particularly careful during feeding and avoid giving them food with high salt content.

In summary, salt is an essential mineral for the growth of cats and dogs. Deficiency can lead to weakness, poor growth, and metabolic disorders.

When there is adequate water intake, the risks of salt deficiency are far greater than those of excessive salt intake. However, there is no need to increase salt intake unnecessarily; the salt content in regular pet food is sufficient.