Low Sodium Dog Food: 5 Reasons You Need To Change Your Dog’s Diet Now
It’s great to have a pet dog. They’re loving best friends who will be there for you every day, but you need to be there for them, too. In addition to loving and walking them, you also need to make sure that you are feeding your dog a healthy diet that will help them live a long life.
Do you pay close attention to what is in your pet’s dog food, or do you just feed them whatever is least expensive at the supermarket? Choosing your pet’s food based on price only is like only eating at a cheap drive-through restaurant every day. Why would you want to do that to your pet’s body?
One food option that you may want to consider for your pet is changing their pet food to a low sodium dog food alternative. Sodium can be dangerous for dogs, and most low sodium dog food options on the market are very good for pets.
Let’s explore some important things to know about low sodium dog food.
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#1 Dogs Do Need Some Sodium….But Not A Lot
It’s true that dogs need to have some sodium in their diet. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials, dog food should have a minimum of 0.3 percent salt in it, but there is not a clear recommended maximum value, nor is this a stat that many people look at!
Most dogs can have much more sodium than this without risking any danger. Other dogs, however, have to eat a restricted sodium diet to ensure that they do not get high blood pressure or other disorders! You usually only have to restrict salt intake if your dog has certain types of kidney, liver or heart disease.
Dogs need salt to help them with growth and development. Just as human bodies use salt in some biological functions, so do dogs! If they have no salt, they could get sick as well. The salt helps their bodies retain water and prevents dehydration.
This is why you should consider a low sodium, not a no sodium, dog diet, if your dog has certain conditions only. If your dog is old but healthy, don’t worry about it!
Let’s keep exploring what conditions might lead you to try a low sodium diet.
#2 Risk Heart Disease Means Less Salt
If your dog has been diagnosed with or is at risk for heart disease, you will definitely want to lower their salt intake and ensure that it is between 0.2 and 0.3 percent. If you continuously feed your dog a higher salt content food over a long period of time, you could be putting them more at risk to develop heart disease.
Salt puts them more at risk because it causes their bodies to retain more water than usual, and they might actually retain too much. Dogs that have heart disease or other heart conditions are not able to effectively excrete sodium ions from their bodies, which means that feeding them too much sodium can cause them to get very ill.
When their bodies keep everything inside, they will get sick. Whether your dog is at risk for heart disease or in the early stages, you will want to avoid diets high in sodium.
A food like this one is specifically formulated for dogs with early signs of heart disease. It is low in sodium and high in other healthy nutrients to keep your doing running as if they were still a puppy.
#3 Congestive Heart Failure? Limit That Salt Immediately!
If your dog is already suffering from congestive heart failure, your vet will let you know that you need to make changes in your dog’s diet and lifestyle, but I would like to also point out that you should lower their salt intake immediately and switch them to a low-sodium dog food.
Congestive heart failure in dogs is a condition where a dog’s heart cannot pump blood as efficiently as it should. This can lead to a number of other problems that can be worsened by excessive salt intake.
If your dog is diagnosed with congestive heart failure, aim to find a food that is formulated with between 0.075-0.15 percent salt content. Speaking more generally, you may want to find a dog food that has <100 mg of sodium per 100 kCal.
This is a very small amount, but your dog’s body will not be able to handle any more than this amount. Limiting salt might be saving their life.
Because dog food companies are not required to list the exact amount of sodium in their foods, it can be difficult to find good options. Read on to #4 to find one of my favorite low sodium dog food brands!
#4 Wellness Dog Food Has Many Good Options
Via Amazon.com
If you’re looking for a low sodium dog food to replace your dog’s current food with, you may soon discover that it can be difficult to find out the nutritional information for many foods. Even if you check out the nutritional information provided with the food, you may not find anything about salt.
Sometimes, it even takes a few phone calls or emails to the manufacturing brand to find out the level of sodium!
Sodium is found naturally in many of the ingredients used in dog food. Meat, poultry, eggs and fish all contain sodium naturally, and some foods have table salt added to help the taste of the food appeal to dogs more. Finding a food without too much salt can be difficult.
I’ve found that the foods by Wellness have some of the best sodium and fat levels around. I’m also including fat levels here because many dogs that suffer from liver or pancreatitis issues need to limit both fat and sodium, so it’s beneficial for those owners.
Here is some information that you may find useful at top products from Wellness dog food:
Wellness Chicken Sodium 0.14%, Fat 12.0%
Wellness Lamb Sodium 0.23%, Fat 12.0%
Healthy Weight Sodium 0.11%, Fat 6.0%
Senior Sodium 0.11%, Fat 10.0%
Simple Grain-Free Salmon Sodium 0.29%, Fat 12.0%
Simple Grain-free Turkey Sodium 0.24%, Fat 12.0%
Simple Lamb & Oatmeal Sodium 0.20%, Fat 12.0%
Simple Duck & Oatmeal Sodium 0.08%, Fat 11.0%
As you can see, these options provide a variety of sodium content, so no matter what your dog’s condition is, you should be able to find a food that will fit their needs. If they have flavor preferences or allergies to specific meats, there are a few different blends that should work for you and your beloved pet.
For more information about reduced sodium foods, check out this useful document and then remember to consult with your vet!
#5 Always Consult With A Vet!
While I have done a lot of research about dog food, salt, and related topics, I can only give you some advice based on my research and experience. Before making any major changes to your dog’s diet, you should always consult with your vet about your dog’s specific situation.
They can give you the best advice about what kind of diet is good for your dog. If you are unsure about the advice you are given, you can always get a second opinion from another vet.
If you like any of the ideas I’ve shared in this article, take them to your vet and ask them if these solutions may help your pet live a longer, healthier life. It’s easy to start the conversation. Take care of your dog today so that they can be with you for many years to come!
And if you’re not sure if your dog is at risk for a heart problem, ask about the signs, what you can do to help your dog stay healthy, and ask for a quick heart monitor to ensure that everything seems good-to-go in your pup.
Consider Your Dog’s Diet
There you have it - everything you should know about low sodium dog food and why it might be a great choice for your dog. It’s not for every dog, but if your dog is suffering from heart or liver conditions, limited salt intake will be key in keeping them very healthy.
Even if you don’t go with a low sodium dog food, remember to pay close attention to what you are feeding your dog. Everything you give them can be mending or harming their body, so you should be aware of every item that they are eating.
And don’t forget that human food you slip them under the table counts! Human food can be very salty, so keep this in mind if you have an at-risk dog at home.
Let us know in the comments if you think that a low sodium dog food is important to invest in for your dog. Don’t forget to share with fellow dog lovers who are hoping to improve their pet’s diets!
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