SnoutScanAre salt and hidden sodium safe for dogs?
Dogs need some salt, so a little near the end of a complete food is normal. It only counts against a food when it sits high on the list.
Sodium is an essential nutrient, and complete foods add salt to meet the minimum. Salt high on the list, or salty flavour boosters such as yeast extract, hydrolysed vegetable protein, liver digest and palatants, usually means a food or treat is seasoned to taste good rather than for nutrition. Salty treats add up, and dogs with heart or kidney disease often need less sodium.
How SnoutScan scores salt and hidden sodium
- Points
- −3
- Highest possible score
- No cap
When salt or a salty flavour booster sits in the first half of a list of 6 or more ingredients, it takes 3 points off the 20-point additives part and shows as an amber chip. Lower down, it shows as a grey chip and costs nothing.
Where it turns up
Jerky, cured and brined meat treats, gravies, and most complete foods in a small amount near the end.
SnoutScan looks for these words on a label:
- salt
- salted
- sodium chloride
- sea salt
- brine
- brined
- cured
- hydrolyzed vegetable protein
- hydrolysed vegetable protein
- hydrolyzed animal protein
- hydrolysed animal protein
- hydrolyzed animal proteins
- hydrolysed animal proteins
- yeast extract
- autolyzed yeast
- autolysed yeast
- liver digest
- palatant
- palatants
- palatability enhancer
- palatability enhancers
- disodium inosinate
- disodium guanylate
- seasoning
- seasonings
- plasma
Related ingredients
Read more
Common questions
My dog has a heart or kidney condition. Should I avoid salt?
Ask your vet. Many dogs with these conditions do better on a lower-sodium diet, and your vet can say how low.
Can too much salt poison a dog?
Yes, in large amounts such as sea water, rock salt or homemade play dough. That is an emergency, so call your vet. The salt in dog food is far below that.
Based on AAFCO nutrient profiles and WSAVA nutrition guidance. This is a guide to labels, not a substitute for your vet.
Check whether your dog's food contains salt and hidden sodium.
Scan your dog's food