Sodium is an important mineral that needs to be included in our dog’s diet; however, like everything else, in excess, too much sodium or too little may be potentially harmful to your dog.
There are a couple of things we need to keep in mind regarding the amount of sodium in our dog’s food.
In this guide, we are going to talk about everything there is to know about low-sodium dog foods, why should you give low-sodium foods to your dog, and which premium dog food brands are actually low in sodium.
So, keep on reading!
The Best Low-Sodium Dog Foods in 2023
Have you been recommended to feed your pooch low-sodium dog food? Now, you probably wondering which food should you go for; what is the best bread out there; whether should you go for dry or wet dog food and etc. Well, I am sure, you are not alone but worry not, we got you covered!
Now, to answer all your queries, our expert team has done all the research and found the ultimate low-sodium dog foods reviewed with possible pros and cons. We also got all the necessary information related to feeding sodium in dog foods in the later section.
Let’s jump into the reviews first.
#1. The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Beef Recipe
On top of our list is Honest Kitchen and that is because of the excellent quality human-grade produce. It contains about 1.7% sodium which is why we have categorized it as one of the best low-sodium dog foods available.
The key ingredients include dehydrated beef and eggs, organic oats, barley, and flaxseed.
Adult dogs of all breeds can easily consume it because it has minimal processing and it’s free from artificial preservatives with no byproducts or genetically modified ingredients. The beef used in the meal is raised humanely on the ranch and the product is made in the USA.
Finally, it’s a complete, balanced diet formulated to meet all the nutritional levels established by AAFCO.
Check out the product on Amazon.
#2. Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Dog Food
Wellness is one of the most trusted brands of dog food available on the market.
Its key ingredients include lamb, oatmeal, and ground barley. The blueberries and spinach in the formula are rich sources of antioxidants and flaxseed supports healthy skin and coat. It has lower levels of sodium which is approximately 60mg/100kcal.
It is a complete, healthy, balanced meal that supports your dog’s everyday nutrition. Made with all-natural flavors and free of artificial preservatives and grains it supports your dog’s digestive health, and immune system, and helps maintain healthy eyes, teeth, and gums.
It is made in the USA and is backed by the Wellness Guarantee.
Check out the product on Amazon.
#3. Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food for Healthy Weight
The Hill’s Science Diet Dog food is recommended by vets and is made with high-quality lean proteins which help in the maintenance of strong bones and muscles. This one contains about 0.35% sodium which is about 77mg/100kcal.
The precisely balanced nutrition help to develop premium dog food that promotes your dog’s overall health.
Key ingredients include water, whole grain corn, pork liver, and pea protein—it’s definitely a good choice for a low-sodium dog meal.
Check out the product on Amazon.
#4. Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Dry Dog Food
The next on our list of low-sodium dog foods is Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food, which is also made with natural ingredients like beef, brown rice, dried peas, and chicken fat.
This meal is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
There are no artificial flavors or preservatives added and the natural prebiotics supports healthy digestion.
This is one of the first-rate dog foods you can give your canine friend.
Check out the product on Amazon.
#5. Purina Pro Plan Focus Dry Dog Food
Purina Pro Plan is an amazing dog food that supports the total well-being of your dog; they make a highly digestible formula and the high amounts of the prebiotic factor. The sodium content in here is 50mg/100kcalories.
The key ingredient here is salmon, and the other ingredients are rich in antioxidants that help support the development of the immune system.
It is filled with Omega fatty acids that promote skin, joint, and coat health.
Check out the product on Amazon.
Why Is Sodium Important?
The body requires sodium as it plays a major role in the transmission of nerve impulses, regulating blood pressure, and balancing fluids; it also helps maintain the normal functioning of the heart and brain.
Let’s take a look at some of the food sources of sodium in the image below.
Food sources of sodium
Symptoms of Sodium Deficiency in Dog Food
Now, a deficiency in the levels of sodium in the blood leads to a condition called hyponatremia.
Some of the Symptoms are:
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
It can be diagnosed by doing a complete chemical blood profile, including an analysis of your dog’s urine and also electrolyte levels.
Symptoms of Excessive Sodium in Dog Food
The other side of the coin is when your dog has excess amounts of sodium in their blood.
A higher-than-normal concentration of sodium is known as hypernatremia.
Though some of the symptoms are similar to hyponatremia, additional symptoms include excessive loss of water and also a decreased intake of water.
Similar to sodium deficiency, excessive sodium amounts in the blood may be diagnosed through laboratory tests.
How Much Sodium Should I Feed My Dog?
Both the conditions stated above can be avoided if a balanced amount of sodium is given to your dog.
Let’s take a look at the table below to know the specific amount of sodium requirement in your dog’s food.
Given this basic information, you may be wondering why you should give a low-sodium diet to your canine friend- read on to find out more.
Health Issues Caused by Excessive Sodium
Excessive sodium has been attributed to a number of problems in dogs, especially related to high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. And if your dog suffers from these two health issues, it’s likely you’ll want to give them a low-sodium diet.
Excessive sodium has been linked to kidney and liver problems in dogs.
It also causes problems related to hydration—dogs with excess sodium in their system will always be thirsty.
Health Benefits of a Low-Sodium Dog Food
Low sodium diets also have a number of health benefits for your dogs which include avoiding the health issues related to excess sodium such as heart, blood pressure, or liver problems.
It can help improve your dog’s kidney function, decrease the chances of osteoporosis and help prevent strokes.
How Much Sodium is “Low Sodium”?
Well, dog food can be labeled as a “low sodium” dog food if there is less than 0.3% sodium in the dry food matter. Anything more than that is considered moderately high in sodium.
It is also important that you go for a renowned brand that offers high-quality dog food; after all, we’re talking about your dog’s health.
There are different types of low-sodium diets to choose from: wet or dry. Depending on the palatability of your dog and your budget, you can decide which to give them.
What to Look for in a Low-Sodium Dog Food?
The only difference between low-sodium dog food and other food is the reduced amount of sodium. However, when looking for a portion of good low-sodium dog food, we should make sure it has the qualities of other quality dog foods that are beneficial for our dogs.
Here are the key factors you should ensure in your low-sodium dog food:
- A good “low sodium dog food” should have a very rich source of protein as the first ingredient- look for sources such as chicken, turkey, lamb, salmon, etc.
- They should address any other health problems that your dog might face such as allergies and sensitive stomachs.
- Most importantly, they should be free of artificial preservatives.
In Conclusion
There you go, we’ve laid out all the finest low-sodium dog foods you can find in the market to give your dog and their benefits.
The final choice is, however, up to you and your dog. Before doing so, as we’ve already told you before, make sure to consult with your vet so that you can make the right choice. After all, our pets deserve our very best care.