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If you have a sweet senior or a dog with certain health issues, your vet may recommend a low-sodium diet. While sodium is an essential mineral, it can also cause your dog to retain water. In particular, congestive heart failure, as well as liver and kidney disease, can cause fluid accumulation in the body. Reducing the sodium content of your dog’s diet can keep this problem from worsening and help your pup shed some excess sodium in their urine.
While the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends a minimum of 0.3% sodium in your dog’s food, the percentage will depend on the severity of the sodium restriction that your dog needs. According to Vermont Veterinary Cardiology Services, this restriction can range from mild to extreme (with sodium percentages measured on a dry-matter basis):
- Mild: 0.3%–0.4%
- Moderate: 0.2%–0.3%
- Marked: 0.15%–0.2%
- Extreme: 0.075%–0.15%
Once you consult with your vet to determine how much sodium to restrict, you’ll find quite a few dog foods available. To bring you the top options, we dug into nutritional guidelines and examined recipes low in sodium that comply with AAFCO guidelines. The result? We found the best low-sodium dog food options available for all types of pups.
Best Low-Sodium Prescription Dog Food: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Early Cardiac
For dogs with cardiac disease, this adult dog food recipe features a mild level of sodium at 0.31% measured as dry matter. (We’ve converted all key nutrients to dry matter for better comparison.) It also features long-chain omega-3 fatty acids called eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic, which help aid in healthy heart function. Chicken fat and chicken and fish meal add palatability, which pet parents of picky pups appreciate.
This low-sodium dog food requires a prescription, so you’ll need your vet’s approval before adding it to your pup’s meal time.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,673 kcal/kg
- Sodium: 0.31%
- Protein: 24%
- Fat: 15%
- Fiber: 0.6%
Best Low-Sodium Dog Food for Kidney Disease: Blue Natural Veterinary Diet Kidney Support
Dogs managing kidney (renal) disease often need both a low-sodium and low-phosphorous diet. This kidney support recipe by Blue Buffalo offers low percentages of both, with sodium levels between 0.10%–0.25% and phosphorous levels between 0.28%-0.61%. Whole deboned chicken is the leading protein, supplemented by easy-to-digest and vitamin-rich potatoes, flaxseed, fish oil, carrots, and more.
Because it’s low in protein, consult with your vet before feeding this particular diet to your dog (this recipe requires your vet’s approval anyway).
Key Nutrients:
- 3,925 kcal/kg
- Sodium: 0.10%–0.25%
- Phosphorous: 0.28%-0.61%
- Protein: 16%
- Fat: 20%
- Fiber: 8%
Best Low-Sodium Dog Food for Heart Murmur: Hill’s Prescription Diet H/D
Another prescription low-sodium dog food, this recipe is tailor-made for dogs with heart murmurs and other heart issues. It has a significant reduction in sodium at 0.11% and high levels of taurine and L-carnitine, both amino acids that help support cardiac function. Low in phosphorous, this food also supports liver and kidney function.
Reviewers note that their dogs seem to enjoy the taste of this low-sodium food but wish it came in smaller bites for tinier pups.
Key Nutrients:
- 4,002 kcal/kg
- Sodium: 0.11%
- Phosphorous: 0.45%
- Protein: 19.8%
- Fat: 21.2%
- Fiber: 1.6%
Best Low-Sodium Dehydrated Dog Food: The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Beef Recipe
This dehydrated dog food contains 11 whole food ingredients, added minerals and vitamins, and no added salt. Flaxseed also adds anti-inflammatory omega fatty acids to the mix.
All of The Honest Kitchen’s dog foods consist of limited and healthy ingredients that are gently dehydrated and human-grade. The whole-grain version of this beef recipe has moderately low sodium levels of 0.21%. If you need a slightly higher sodium count, the grain-free formula features 0.33% sodium.
Key Nutrients:
- 4,496 kcal/kg
- Sodium: 0.21%
- Protein: 24.6%
- Fat: 9.3%
- Fiber: 6.3%
Best Low-Sodium & Grain-Free Food: Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Grain-Free Red Meat
This brand puts out dog foods with short and clear ingredient lists that are whole protein and veggie-forward. Many of the recipes are on the lower end of the sodium spectrum for dogs with mild restrictions.
This grain-free red meat recipe is the lowest at 0.31% and is made with water buffalo and lamb, making it a good choice if your dog also needs a chicken-free formula. It has omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, plus antioxidant-rich blueberries, cranberries, and carrots. Added glucosamine supports joints and probiotics support gut health.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,720 kcal/kg
- Sodium: 0.31%
- Protein: 35.6%
- Fiber: 5%
- Fat: 17.8%
Best Low Sodium & Plant-Based Food: Open Farm Kind Earth Plant Recipe
Transparency is a signature feature of Open Farm’s dog foods, and this vegetarian recipe is one of their lowest-sodium formulations at 0.22%. Fava beans, oats, and dry yeast lead the way in plant-based protein, making up an average count of 23.9%. Average levels of protein and fat also work well for moderately active dogs.
Whole-grain barley, sweet potato, and pumpkin provide excellent sources of fiber for digestion. And the best part? All ingredients can be tracked to their original sources via the company’s website.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,900 kcals/kg
- Sodium: 0.22%
- Protein: 23.9%
- Fat: 15.2%
- Fiber: 4.9%
Best Low-Sodium Fresh Dog Food: Raised Right Pork & Pumpkin Paté (Verified Review)
For dogs who love fresh food, Raised Right has a naturally low-sodium option. Most of their recipes, particularly the pork and pumpkin pâté, are fairly low-sodium, with the pork and pumpkin coming in at 0.12% for a more extreme restriction.
The food is human-grade, and every batch is tested before it’s shipped out. The Raised Right website includes where ingredients are sourced, the lab test results, and the full nutritional content of each recipe (so you can fine-tune which low-sodium option you prefer). Our Rover testers also gave it high marks for taste and transparency.
Key Nutrients:
- 4,092 kcal/kg
- Sodium: 0.12%
- Protein: 64%
- Fat: 14%
- Fiber: 3%
Best Customizable Low-Sodium Recipe: JustFoodForDogs Vet Support Formulas
If you want to feed your dog fresh food but need something easier to store, JustFoodForDogs might offer the alternative you’re looking for. In addition to fresh frozen recipes, we like that they make DIY kits and shelf-stable pantry formulas that are ready to serve. Each type has single protein sources and a short, recognizable ingredient list.
The hepatic (liver) and renal (kidney) recipes are low in sodium and phosphorous. The renal support is also low in protein, and the pantry fresh formulation has lower fat levels and restricted copper. These particular dietary formulas require vet approval. You can also schedule a consultation with the company’s nutritionists to create the right fit for your pet.
Key Nutrients (Renal Support Recipe):
- 1,583 kcal/kg
- Sodium: 0.36%
- Phosphorous: 0.25%–0.31%
- Protein: 13%–19%
- Fat: 16%
- Fiber: 6%
Best Low-Sodium Food for Small Dogs: Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult
For more customization based on your dog’s size or breed, Royal Canin has you covered. Their vet and non-vet formulations span a range of dog sizes and types. This food for small dogs (9–22 pounds) has a 0.2% sodium content, which works well for pets with moderate to marked low-sodium needs. It is, however, formulated for older pint-sized pups at least eight years of age.
Pet parents particularly like that this recipe comes in smaller bites suitable for tinier mouths.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,765 kcal/kg
- Sodium: 0.2%
- Protein: 28%
- Fat: 16%
- Fiber: 0.4%
Best Low-Sodium Food for Large Breeds: Fromm Family Gold Large Breed Weight Management
This formula by Fromm is designed for larger dogs over 50 pounds who need a moderate sodium restriction. Made with a special blend of lean turkey and fish, it’s on the higher end of protein (28%) but low in fat (12%), making it an ideal choice for big breeds who need to lose or manage their weight. Barley and rice add fiber for digestion, and collagen from chicken cartilage supports joint health for bigger bones.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,347 kcal/kg
- Sodium: 0.29%
- Protein: 28%
- Fat: 12%
- Fiber: 7%
Best Low-Sodium Food for Seniors: Victor Senior Healthy Weight Dog Food
The best dog foods for seniors are low in fat and sodium, have fewer calories, and are higher in protein (more than 25% on a dry matter basis). This formula by Victor meets all these criteria with a mild sodium count of 0.35%. Premium-quality beef, chicken, and fish meals make up the lean but high protein levels of 30%. The recipe also has a low-fat content of 13% and includes L-carnitine to help convert fat into energy for weight loss, while glucosamine and chondroitin support senior joints.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,385 kcal/kg
- Sodium: 0.35%
- Protein: 30%
- Fat: 13%
- Fiber: 4%
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts. We prioritized AAFCO-compliant recipes with low-sodium content to suit a variety of needs. Our choices are also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.
