Salt seems like such an innocuous thing but for some pets it truly is a danger. Just as with humans, salt is a necessary mineral but too much of it can cause electrolytes in the body to become unbalanced, which can lead to cell malfunction. The good news is that cats are smart and know what’s good for them; in general they won’t get into salty things. Commercially available cat foods also balance the correct amount of salt your cat should have in their diet. But there are some less obvious culprits of salt poisoning that may not be immediately obvious to you–or your cat.
Will A Little Salt Hurt A Cat?
No. A little salt won’t hurt a cat. As noted above, every animal needs some salt as it is an essential mineral that helps the body function properly.
Cat food is specifically made to tend to the needs of cats so no feline diet is going to have too much salt (or any other mineral) for cats. It’d a good idea to provide a balanced diet for your kitty, and a quality cat food, but you should not have to provide any kind of vitamin or mineral supplement. Fun fact: saltiness is one of the five basic human tastes (in addition to sweet, bitter, sour, and umami), and researchers believe cats taste buds work similar to those of humans, just with a little less reactivity in terms of sweet tastes.
Even with the proper amounts of salt in a diet it is extremely important that cats have access to fresh water at all times. Try and keep more than one bowl around the house so kitty has multiple places to access water and remember to refill and clean the bowls regularly. If you think your cat is not drinking enough water, try placing water bowls in quieter, low traffic areas.
What is Salt And How Does It Work?
At its base level, salt is a mineral composed of sodium chloride (NaCl) and is necessary for all animal life. As the folks at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa note, “Sodium is essential for nerve and muscle function and is involved in the regulation of fluids in the body. Sodium also plays a role in the body’s control of blood pressure and volume. Although sodium is essential, people who consume too much sodium may have hypertension or high blood pressure, a condition that can lead to serious illnesses such as heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke”. In other words: not enough salt is bad and too much salt is bad. This goes the same for cats.
Cats and Salt
The Pet Poison Helpline classifies salt as a “moderate to severe” toxin for cats (and dogs). Basically it works the same as with humans. There is an ideal amount of salt one should consume. Consistently overdoing it could lead to health issues. Accidentally really overdoing it could as well.
How Much Salt Is Safe For Cats?
More than 41 mg of salt a day is considered poisonous for cats. Being that you would have a hard time measuring such a thing, if you are concerned that your cat has ingested salt beyond what is safe, you should get in touch with a vet immediately for emergency advice.
Is There More Salt In Canned Or Dry Cat Food?
Generally, dry food tends to have more salt because it acts as a preservative. That said, as long as your cat is eating cat food (and not human food) you should not have to worry about too much salt.
What If My Cat Eats Something Salty?
The most common thing a cat might eat that is salty would be human food of some kind. While some human foods are OK for cats, others can be problematic. Consider, for example, Thanksgiving turkey as a treat. Cooked with garlic, onion, oil and spices–and many times brined–you can see why it would be dangerous. Another common culprit would be tuna packed in salted water. While it might be tempting to use human foods to stimulate the appetite of a sick kitty, a better idea is to explore the world of kitty treats. This ensures your kitty isn’t ingesting something potentially harmful.
Other common things around the house that contain salt and might attract a cat include paintball pellets, rock salt (de-icers), aquarium water, water from saltwater pools, and homemade play dough.
If you suspect your cat has gotten hold of something salty like the above examples, a call or visit to the vet may be necessary.
Signs Of Salt Toxicity In Cats
Called hypernatremia, salt poisoning can be very serious and even deadly for cats. It usually presents first as vomiting and likely will also include:
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Lethargy
- Incoordination (wobbly walking)
- Excessive thirst or urination
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Coma
These can also be signs of many different ailments so if your cat is displaying any of these, they should be treated immediately by a veterinarian. Hypernatremia usually occurs as a result of an underlying medical issue, such as kidney disease or diabetes–another reason to get your vet involved asap.
What To Do If You Think Your Cat Has Salt Poisoning
Depending on the severity of the case, treatment for salt poisoning ranges from IV fluids and electrolyte monitoring to treatment for brain swelling. For healthy kitties receiving immediate treatment, IV fluids are usually sufficient to flush and rehydrate the system; for these kitties the prognosis is usually excellent. If your kitty is experiencing hypernatremia as a result of an underlying disease, there is still hope. Once things have been identified and a treatment plan put in place, many kitties can live long, happy lives despite such salt imbalances (or, electrolyte derangements, as the professionals call them).