How To Choose A Low
We all know that too much salt isnt good for us. Excessive sodium holds fluid in the body, putting more pressure on the heart and causing high blood pressure.
But what about our canine friends? Salt is natural for dogs to eat, and it plays an important role in their diet and development, just like it does for us. However, the same rule holds for dogs as it does for humans: Too much salt in the diet isnt a good thing.
While dogs are a little better than we are at dealing with a diet rich in sodium, its possible to overdo it. Since high amounts of salt dont give your pooch any health benefits, its not worth risking. And as well see in a moment, certain dogs are at a greater risk for problems associated with high sodium levels in their diet.
Fortunately, theres an easy solution: Low-sodium dog food. This type of food is formulated with lower sodium content. Read on to discover the health risks of too much salt, how low-sodium food might benefit your dog, and how to choose low-salt food that suits your pups nutritional needs.
Zignature Turkey Lid Formula
First 5 Ingredients : Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chickpeas, Peas, Sunflower Oil
Sodium Content: 0.5%
Zignature is a pet food manufacturer that sets out to create the best dog foods in the market. The brand has a meat-first, limited ingredient, and low-carbohydrate philosophy to ensure healthy food for your dog.
The brands recipes omit high-glycemic carbohydrate ingredients. Instead, it uses known low-glycemic food such as oats or chickpeas to provide the necessary dietary fiber.
Currently, Zignature has 16 unique formulas that include dry and wet dog food, and treats.
This Zignature dry dog food formula is low-sodium and grain-free. There are only a few ingredients, but each serving delivers a high protein supply to keep your pet active and moving. In fact, the dry dog food formula supplies dogs with 32% crude protein, courtesy of farm-raised turkey.
Since the number of ingredients are limited and its a single-protein recipe, this is also ideal for pups who have food sensitivities. Its free from potential canine allergens, such as chicken, dairy, soy, wheat, and corn.
Not only is this food low-sodium, it is also low-glycemic. The meat-first recipe, combined with key antioxidants, a complete spectrum of vitamins and minerals, and essential fatty acids make for a rounded and balanced meal.
The sodium in this food is 0.5% on a dry matter basis.
The Risks Of Too Much Sodium
Have you ever eaten some salty french fries or potato chips and felt thirsty afterward? The same thing will happen to your dog when he or she consumes a lot of salt. Excessive thirst is one of the first indicators that your pet has eaten something excessively salty.
When your dog drinks a lot of water because of intense thirst, they go to the bathroom more often. If this situation persists, it can lead to dehydration. Whats more, too much salt at once can lead to a case of sodium ion poisoning, which can result in serious health problems such as:
If your dog eats a diet high in sodium over a long period, theyre at greater risk for elevated blood pressure. If left unchecked, too much salt can lead to severe conditions such as strokes, heart attack, and even congestive heart failure.
Its also crucial to be aware that dogs with pre-existing conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, high blood pressure, or heart disease are at a higher risk of worsened symptoms if they eat high amounts of sodium.
While a healthy dog can usually eat wet dog food or dry kibble with standard levels of sodium, a dog with pre-existing conditions like these would likely do better with a high-quality, low-sodium dog diet.
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How To Start Your Dog On A Low Sodium Diet
Diets constitute a big change in everyones life, including our dogs, which is why you cant simply change their diet from one day to the next.
The first thing you need to do is ease into the transition.
That means you shouldnt change all your dogs meals at once.
Instead, change one meal at a time or pick one regular food that your dog likes and change it into a low sodium version until your dog gets used to the change and then you can adapt the menu completely.
Another thing you can do at the beginning is mixing your current dog food with the new low sodium variety.
Gradually decrease the amount of their current food and increase the low sodium version.
This process can take about a week, but if your dog is a really picky eater, or its older and its already set in its ways, then it can take a little bit longer, maybe ten days or more.
Remember to be patient and to introduce the new low sodium choices in every form that means that if youre accustomed to giving treats to your dog throughout the day or for an afternoon snack, look for low sodium treats to replace the regular ones.
Less sodium means less flavor, thats the fact.
Your dog will like flavorless food as much as you donot at all, so make it easier for them by adding other flavors or textures to their meals.
You can even buy gravy made for pets, just make sure its low sodium.
Another neat little trick is mixing dry and wet food together, so you can make the meal a little bit more interesting.
Pay Attention To Protein
The first thing you should look at is the protein content in dog food. Since puppies are carnivores, they need meat in their diet. But if your dog has certain medical conditions like kidney disease, you should lower the protein content. You should find ingredients such as chicken, lamb, beef, or fish high in protein on the package.
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The Best Low Sodium Dog Food
The last product on our list is this natural dry dog food which has reduced calories, but still plenty of energy from the lamb and barley formula. The ingredients are all-natural, and there are no wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. It has been fortified vitamins and minerals to support a healthy immune system.
Introduction To The Low Sodium Dog Foods
I have given below a table that will help you in becoming aware about the top low salt dog food available in the market. All these food products have good nutritional value. If you are still wondering whether these low sodium dog treats will be suitable for your pet then make sure to consult a veterinarian. Besides this, it will also be wise for you to store the food in a proper manner to make sure that it does not affect the health of your dog.
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Royal Canin Canine Early Cardiac Dry
From Royal Canin is this heart-healthy dry kibble. It contains a bevy of ingredients that can help enhance your dog’s overall cardiac health. It has a low sodium content of about 0.33%.
The decreased sodium levels can regulate blood pressure. Chicken meal and fish meal are used as the primary protein source. It doesn’t have any potentially harmful MSG or chemical preservatives.
Instead, it has natural alternatives and a healthy dose of Omega fatty acids that can prevent tissue inflammation.
Vitamins Minerals And Supplements
The rest of the ingredients in a commercially-available dog food will vary dramatically from manufacturer to manufacturer. The key is to look out for items that will directly benefit your dog. A healthy dose of vegetables and fruits will give them all the things they need to stay healthy.
If your dog is suffering from other ailments, keep an eye out for things that can treat it. For example, fish oil contains Omega Fatty Acids that can keep your dog’s skin healthy while glucosamine can help keep the joints strong.
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Low Sodium Food Recipes To Make At Home
Your dogs health depends greatly on what they ingest, so for you to make sure their food choices are adequate, you must do your research and talk to your veterinarian to get a bit of education on the subject.
This will help you make better choices to improve your dogs health.
In the case of dogs that suffer from high sodium levels and must go on a low sodium diet, as a worried owner Im sure youd like to know if its possible for you to make their meals.
Well, it is!
If you feel more confident by making them their own food, or if its something youve been doing from the start and wants to continue doing
Here are a few simple recipes that you can try:
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe
First 5 Ingredients : Chicken, Brewers Rice, Chicken Meal, Yellow Peas, Cracked Pearled Barley
Sodium Content: 0.28%
If a pet’s diet is too high in sodium it will affect his gut, coat and skin. Hill’s Science Diet can greatly assist you with that issue.
All of its formulas begin with an animal-based protein as the first ingredient, relying solely on novel protein and carbohydrate sources.
Not only is this brand very careful about what ingredients it uses, but Hills Science Diet is also very careful in where it gets them.
This brand knows that quality pet food starts at the source so it has a trusted network of suppliers that it holds to a high standardthe brand even provides specific information about where the ingredients in each product come from on their website.
This dry dog food is clinically proven and Veterinarian-recommended to aid in coat, skin and stomach health. It provides a complete and balanced nutrition for all canine companions.
Chicken and chicken meal supply the animal proteins while the carbohydrates are provided by the brown rice, barley, and other grains in the food.
The low-sodium dry food is also crafted with beet pulp, which supplies nourishing prebiotic fiber to help with your dogs digestion. There are also vitamin E and omega fatty acids to keep your dogs skin and coat health at their peak through the chicken fat in the recipe.
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Good Health In Old Age
Senior dogs are already at a greater risk for high blood pressure, so reducing the amount of sodium your older dog consumes is generally a good idea. Plus, senior pooches can suffer from muscle and joint aches, osteoporosis, and other maladies. A diet thats low in sodium can alleviate the symptoms associated with these problems.
Purebites Turkey Breast Freeze
Pure turkey breast is the ONLY ingredient in these treatsWeve all heard about how important it is to know whats on your dogs food. Knowing just one bite can mean an ethical, healthier life for your pup. So enjoy giving them a taste they cant refuse!
Only three calories eachIn the world of pet nutrition, anything with less than 30 calories per ounce or grams earns its useful caloric intake designation and becomes an awesomely low-calorie responsibility.
With only three average calories, youre helping curb overweight pups as well as promoting longevity in older dogs with less demanding metabolic.
Nothing satisfies more than knowing that your furry friend is getting all the nutrients they need. Because of their freeze-drying process, PureBites have a long shelf life and can be stored without going bad! Give your pup an evening snack made from pure turkey breast.
Key Features:
Below is the detailed buying guide for best low sodium dog food for your pup.
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Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous Weight Control
First 5 Ingredients : Pollock, Pollock Meal, Pea Fiber, Pearled Barley, Brown Rice
Sodium Content: 0.20%
Solid Gold is a pet food company that believes that a dogs diet should focus on good gut health because that positively impacts your dogs immune system and overall wellness. Its a company that manufactures dog foods that balance, cleanse, and fuel gut health to nourish pets inside and out.
Each Solid Gold recipe is crafted with whole superfoods to feed good bacteria living probiotics to balance the gut and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support the skin, coat, and immune system of pups.
This specific low-sodium dry food features pollock, pollock meal, and ocean fish meal as the animal protein sources. A mixture of healthy whole grains and peas provide the carbohydrates and fiber. Lastly, chicken fat, fish oil , and flaxseed contribute much of the omegas.
Because of its unique balance of protein and fat, the dry dog food formula is not only perfect for its low-sodium content but also for its weight control focus. Dogs who may have a hard time keeping their weight down will have an easier time with this recipe.
There are no potatoes, soy, wheat, corn, or artificial ingredients in this formula because your dog deserves only the best.
The sodium content is 0.20% on an as-fed basis.
Orijen Original Dry Dog Food
Orijen is known for their high-quality dog food products. This kibble formula is no different. It’s completely free of grains that could upset your dog’s stomach.
The recipe is relatively simple and contains only the essentials. The formula consists of about 0.3% sodium, or 76 milligrams per 100 calories. The main protein sources used are deboned chicken, deboned turkey, and yellowtail flounder. They make up an impressive 38%.
There’s also a collection of locally-sourced fruits and vegetables thrown into the mix.
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Earthborn Holistic Dry Dog Food
Best Without Real Meat: For dogs with digestive issues
- Dehydrated ingredients for extra freshness
- Contains great vitamins and supplements for improved immune function
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
CONS
- Does not contain real meat
For dogs with more sensitive stomachs, eating a dog food thats made with meat meal instead of real meat could help the digestion process. If your pup needs a low-sodium food but has a slightly sensitive tummy, Earthborn Holistic Dry Dog Food would be the best low-sodium kibble for them.
The calorie count is good for most dogs, from mildly to highly active, and the ingredients are easily digestible. Each cup also contains a good dose of healthy vitamins, minerals, and supplements not often seen in dog food, so you can be sure your pup will be getting a great, healthy meal.
Meat Meal As Protein
Although real meat is always a winner, it happens that some dogs dont tolerate it well. This can be for many reasons, but meat meals are a great alternative. They are generally almost 4 times higher in protein than real meat, and easy to break down and absorb in the body. As long as the meat is identified then theres nothing wrong with choosing a food that contains meat meal. The protein content is still pretty great, at 26%.
Vitamins & Minerals
This food has DHA, which is great for both puppies and seniors . The added ascorbic acid acts as a natural preservative and is far healthier than any artificial alternative.
Dog Food Brands Low In Sodium 5 Healthy Picks For Your Pooch
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We’ve all heard that eating too many salty foods is bad for our health, but what about dogs? A dog’s body has the same unique relationship to sodium that a human’s body does.
The mineral is essential for proper growth and development. However, too much of it can lead to a host of issues.
Much like our own diets, it’s imperative for dog owners to find that healthy balance of sodium intake for their dogs. They need enough of it to stay healthy but not enough to develop problems.
Generally, dogs can adapt well to varying sodium levels. Their bodies can compensate for changing levels by getting rid of excess sodium they don’t need. However, certain health conditions may require a lifestyle change.
Before you make the switch to a low-sodium dog food, it’s important that you speak with a veterinarian. They’ll be able to determine if your pup will benefit from the new diet.
If your dog needs to be on a low-sodium diet, there are many formulas to choose from. Here are some of the best options for your four-legged pal.
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The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Beef Recipe
Top 5 Ingredients: Dehydrated Beef, Organic Oats, Organic Barley, Organic Flaxseed, Dehydrated Potatoes
This dog food contains high-quality ingredients for optimal nutrition. All the ingredients are natural and have low salt content. The recipe features ranch-raised beef meat and organic whole grains. Also, it has healthy fruits and vegetables such as potatoes, cranberries, carrots, spinach, and apples.
This dehydrated formula is completely free from by-products, preservatives, wheat, corn, or soy. It is a healthy choice for adult dog maintenance and senior dogs who need weight loss help.
Recommended Sodium Levels For Canines
Various dog foods have wildly different sodium levels. Unfortunately, it is actually somewhat difficult to find the sodium levels of many dog foods, as manufacturers arent required to print such information on the labels. In fact, the AAFCO doesnt even establish a maximum acceptable level for sodium content it only establishes a minimally acceptable value.
However, with sufficient homework, you can usually find the sodium content of commercial foods. This can allow you to select a food that fits within the range prescribed by your vet.
Generally speaking, most veterinarians use the following categories when discussing low-sodium diets :
- Dogs with no sodium restrictions require food with at least 0.5% sodium content
- Dogs who require mild sodium restriction should be offered foods with between 0.35% and 0.5% sodium content
- Dogs who require moderate sodium restriction should only receive foods with between 0.1% and 0.35% sodium content
- Dogs who require severe sodium restriction should be offered food with less than 0.1% sodium content
While the AAFCO doesnt address the maximum amount of sodium dogs can ingest safely, the National Research Council of the National Academies does.
According to their guidelines, a 33-pound dog who burns about 1,000 Calories per day should not consume more than 2,000 milligrams per day. They do not explicitly state how to extrapolate this figure, as calorie consumption and body weight do not necessarily have a linear relationship.
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