How much sodium is safe for my dog? Is salt needed in dog food?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Female | spayed | 4 years and 10 months old | 17 lbs
I'm very confused about sodium levels for pets. The food that I feed my dog has 250 mg. per 7 oz of food. this seems excessive to me, is salt even needed in dog food? How many mg is the safe upper limit for sodium? my vet told me 1,000 mg would be ok for a 17 pound dog but these numbers don't add up to me. can someone please help to clarify this for me? thanks!
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on May 19th, 2017
Salt is absolutely necessary in dog food although too much salt isn't good either. the minimum is usually 0.3% sodium content but it is considered to be fine up to 0.5% (you can find this information on the label).
5Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on June 13th, 2017
I don't know where this number is coming from but a dog should have no more than about 100 mg of Sodium per 30 Lbs, in case of your dog that would be between 350-700 mg. i would not recommend feeding a dog food that contains more than 0.6% sodium.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on May 17th, 2017
I would not provide Chloe with more than 50mg of sodium daily. A normal, canine formulated diet should provide you with an appropriate amount. You should not require anything additional from outside sources.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on May 18th, 2017
Dogs have a very wide salt tolerance and should only need to be restricted if they develop clinical kidney or blood pressure issues where they cannot self regulate their levels. Some salt is necessary, a minimum amount of 0.06% sodium / 0.09% chloride is recommended in dry matter of food for adult dogs (and 5times this for growing dogs). Poisoning is not expected until 4000mg/kg body weight
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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