Can dogs and cats eat Salt and very salty foods?
Large amounts of salt can cause salt (sodium) poisoning, which affects the brain. Salty snacks also cause thirst and stomach upset.
Why
Sodium (sodium chloride)
Signs to watch for
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- excessive thirst and urination
- wobbliness
- tremors
- seizures
Good to know
A crisp or two is not an emergency. Serious cases come from eating salt directly, homemade play dough, salt dough ornaments or seawater. Always provide fresh water.
If you think your pet has been poisoned
If you suspect your dog or cat has eaten or touched something poisonous, contact your vet or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic immediately, even if your pet seems fine – some poisons take hours or days to show signs, and early treatment works best. Do not try to make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to, as this can cause more harm. Take the packaging, label or a piece of the plant with you, and note what was eaten, roughly how much, and when.
Sources
Sources
- Pet Poison Helpline – Salt
- Merck Veterinary Manual – Salt Toxicosis in Animals
- ASPCA – People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
Checked against these sources in October 2026.