Is salt safe for my dog/cat?

"Is salt safe for my pet" ? A common question that I get from pet parents

Straight answer is yes

There are different types of edible salts in the market today with various opinions on its use on pets

1. Table salt sometimes fortified with Iodine

2. Himalayan pink salt

💡Table salt contains 98% of sodium and chloride. Highly processed. Often bleached. Contains additives 

💡 Himalayan pink salt contains mostly sodium and chloride ions but also has small amounts of other trace minerals like Iron, Magnesium, Calcium. Minimally processed. No additives

❤️ Sodium, chloride, Magnesium, iodine, iron are essential minerals for healthy dogs and cats in their daily diet. Salt is a convenient way to provide these minerals 

🌟 Sodium ions are important for blood pressure regulation in the body, glucose and amino acid absorption via sodium dependent transporters and to support muscle contractions

🌟 Chloride ions balance the pH in the body, regulate blood pressure and blood volume, supports Digestion by contribute to making hydrochloric acid in the stomach

Salt can be one of the most convenient and safe ways to provide some of the most important minerals in the body

Avoiding salt (or preventing the intake of such essential minerals) can lead to chronic diseases 

 💔 Chronic kidney disease 

 💔 High blood pressure (hypertension) 

 💔 Cushing's disease 

 💔 Diabetes mellitus

 💔 Worsend DCM

How? 

 💡 Low salt ⏩ over activated Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS) to retain sodium

 💡 Kidneys preserve water to retain sodium ⏩ fluid imbalance ⏩ low blood pressure 

  💡Chronic stimulation of RAAS ⏩ weaken kidneys and adrenal glands

⛔ Over worked kidneys ⏩ Chronic kidney disease 

⛔ Increased cortisol, aldosterone ⏩ diabetes mellitus, cushing's 

⛔ Chronically activated RAAS ⏩ hypertension 

⛔ Aldosterone and angiotensin II increase blood pressure and fluid retention ⏩ Worsens cases of enlarged heart (DCM) 

Pets do need salt in optimum amounts in their daily diet

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