Sodium is an essential nutrient in any dog’s diet. However, in excessive quantities, it can cause severe damage to your pet.
Certain canine health conditions can develop or be made worse by sodium. In these cases, your dog might need one of the low sodium foods for dogs.
To help you and your dog here is a list of the best low sodium foods for dogs.
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Top 6 Low Sodium Foods for Dogs Comparison - Editor's Choices
If your dog needs to be fed a low sodium diet, you should consider the products that will be discussed in this list.
First, here is a summary of the top 6 foods.
Editor's Picks | Product Name | Price |
|---|---|---|
Best Choices | ROYAL CANIN Canine Early Cardiac Dry | |
Best Cardiac Health Dry Dog | Hill's Prescription Diet h/d Heart Care | |
Best Dry Dog Food | Orijen Original Dry Dog Food | |
Best Digestive Care Original Low Fat Canned Dog Food | Hill's Prescription Diet i/d | |
Best Mobility Adult Dog Food | Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets | |
Best Low Sodium Food for Large Dogs | Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Food |
Continue reading the article if you want to learn more about low sodium foods for dogs.
Best: Royal Canin
Royal Canin manufactures the first product on the list.
It is dry dog food in the form of kibble. You can buy it in 32 lb bags. Unfortunately, the food is only suitable for adult dogs. But luckily it can be fed to dogs of different sizes and different breeds.
ROYAL CANIN Canine Early Cardiac is primarily made to support your pet’s cardiovascular functioning.
The product aims to help to prevent and manage heart disease. The food should indeed be high on your list of options if you are concerned about your dog’s cardiac health or they already suffer from cardiovascular issues.
As part of this, it has a moderately restricted sodium content. Only 0.33 % of the formula consists of Sodium.
It is not as low in Sodium as some other products so it might be better suited for dogs who do not have such severe issues. It is beneficial for their heart, blood pressure, kidneys and water balance.
In addition to this, the product contains taurine and L-carnitine for a healthy heart. The EPA, DHA, and Omega 3 in the formula also provide cardiac support and has the bonus of helping to keep their skin and coat in perfect shape.
- Moderately restricted sodium levels
- Made to support the cardiovascular functioning
- For adult dogs
- Naturally preserved
- Includes Omega 3, EPA, and DHA
- High in taurine and L-carnitine
- Reinforced with vitamins
- Contains various minerals
- High protein
- Not suitable for puppies and seniors
- Only comes in chicken flavor
Best: Cardiac Health Dry Dog
Hill’s Prescription Diet Cardiac Health is a dry food for your dog.
The product is meant for dogs of all sizes and breeds. The kibble is small enough so that it is suitable for all of them. However, you should note that it is only appropriate for adult dogs.
As the name makes clear, the manufacturers formulated the product specifically to support cardiac health.
It is a wonderful choice if your dog has been diagnosed with heart disease or if they are prone to cardiac issues. Some breeds that are at a higher risk for heart disease are Golden Retrievers, Boxers, and Dachshunds.
It can aid you in preventing your dog from developing these types of issues. The recipe contains high levels of taurine and L-carnitine.
Hills made sure that the food is incredibly low in Sodium with it only making up 0.08 % of the formula. Because of this, it is good for your pet’s heart, blood pressure, and their kidneys. The food will also prevent water retention.
On top of this, it is reinforced with vitamins like vitamin B and C to optimize their immune system. Besides this, it is crammed full of a variety of minerals. It contains unusually high levels of Calcium and Magnesium.
Unfortunately, the product is rather expensive. But, on the other hand, Hill’s food is of premium quality and is often recommended by veterinarians.
- Suitable for dogs of all sizes and breeds
- High in taurine and L-carnitine
- For adult dogs
- Reinforced with vitamins
- Contains multiple minerals including magnesium and zinc
- Premium quality food
- Supports cardiac and renal functioning
- Severely restricted sodium content
- Only available in chicken
- Not suitable for puppies and seniors
- Rather expensive
Best: Dry Dog Food
Acana manufactures the Orijen Adult dog food.
The product is made especially for adult dogs. They made the food so that it is appropriate for dogs of all breeds and sizes. However, the kibble could be a bit too big for a toy or a mini dog to comfortably eat.
It has a moderately restricted Sodium content of 0.30%. These levels are much lower than that of most commercial dog foods.
It might not be as low as that of some products, but it should be safe enough for the majority of dogs. Because of this, the product will aid you in keeping your dog’s blood pressure steady.
It will help to reduce the chances of your pet developing heart or kidney disease.
On top of this, the food is reinforced with a large variety of vitamins. The nutrients like vitamin A and are essential for keeping immune systems working at its best. The recipe also doesn’t skimp on minerals.
Orijen food consists of a unique balance of ingredients.
A surprising 85% of the formula consists of protein sources like turkey and fish. The ratio of these meats adds up to a total of 38% crude protein. It is exceptionally high in protein.
Combined with the added Glucosamine and Chondroitin this makes it an excellent option for dogs who are active.
One of the best features of the food is that it is made with all natural ingredients and is grain-free. Therefore it is recommended for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
- For adult dogs
- Moderately restricted sodium levels
- Reinforced with a variety of vitamins
- Contains various minerals
- High in protein from several sources
- Provide DHA and EPA
- Made with Glucosamine and Chondroitin
- Grain-free formula
- Includes probiotics and prebiotics
- Not suitable for puppies and chicken
- Kibble a bit big for a toy or mini dog
- Can be too rich for some dogs
- Have a strong smell
Best: Digestive Care Original Low Fat Canned Dog Food
Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care is a wet food that comes in a can.
It only comes in their original flavor. The taste is made up of the combination of the different ingredients in the product like pork and liver.
The food is made with various high-quality ingredients. It contains not only real meat but also beet and flaxseed. These ensure that it comes with tons of benefits.
For instance, the plant matter will with which it is made will provide your dog with prebiotic fibers to improve their digestion.
The unusual addition of ginger will calm and soothe your pet’s digestive tracts. Because of this, it is very beneficial for dogs with sensitive stomachs who often suffer from digestive upsets.
The product’s formula very low in fat compared to other options. It only consists of 2.1% crude fat. Combined with the bonus digestive support it is an excellent diet for dog’s that are overweight.
Hill’s Digestive Care is unusually low in Sodium. It contains as little as 0.11% of the mineral. It falls under the category of severely restricted sodium foods.
The canned food is suitable for all life stages. However, puppies might need more calories to help them grow.
- Low in fat
- Made with prebiotic fibers
- The product contains ginger for digestive support
- Has severely restricted sodium level
- Suitable for all life stages
- Reinforced with vitamins
- Contains various minerals
- Includes taurine and L-carnitine
- Only comes in Hill’s original flavor
- Relatively low protein
Best: Mobility Adult Dog Food
The next product on the list is by Purina and is part of their Veterinary Diets series. It is a dry dog food that you can buy in 32 lb bags.
It is a low sodium food for dogs. Just 0.40% of the formula consists of this mineral. It is the only mildly restricted product on the list.
It might not be low enough for dogs with severe cardiac and renal disease. However, it should work for the majority of dogs even if they are ill.
In addition to this, it is reinforced with taurine that will further support their cardiovascular health.
The food is made mainly to assist with joint mobility. Nutrients like Omega 3, glucosamine, and calcium will aid in preventing the development of issues with their joints and bones.
All of these ingredients make it an excellent food for mature dogs which are older than seven years. Joint and bone problems are a significant concern for older animals.
Purina manufactured the food with several high-quality ingredients like salmon and chicken. The multiple types of meat add up to the product containing 0.30% of crude protein.
As a high protein diet, it works well for active dogs and assists them in building muscle.
- Suitable for adult and mature dogs
- Mildly reduced sodium levels
- Reinforced with vitamins
- Contains Omega 3 and glucosamine
- Includes a variety of minerals
- High in protein
- Contains corn and gluten
- Not suitable for puppies
Best: Low Sodium Food for Large Dogs
It is meant for adult dogs. Even though it was formulated with these canines in mind, it will probably be suitable for other pets as well.
You can feed it to other large breed dogs who are as active as Boxers. It is a good idea also to check whether your pet will be able to eat the kibble. The pellets are shaped like a wave so that dogs with a short muzzle will easily be able to munch it.
As a product for Boxers, its recipe is low in sodium. It only contains 0.3 % of the mineral. The breed is highly prone to developing cardiac conditions. That is why it is much better for them to live on a reduced sodium diet.
On top of this, it contains EPA, DHA, taurine, and L-carnitine. These nutrients will keep their heart healthy and will aid in preventing heart disease.
The recipe is rich in vitamins and minerals which are essential for a functioning immune system.
One of the best features of the food is its antioxidant complex. These are crucial for optimizing cellular health.
- Formulated especially for Boxers
- Suitable for large breed adult dogs
- Severely restricted sodium level
- Provides EPA and DHA
- Contains L-carnitine and taurine
- Easy to chew kibble
- Reinforced with vitamins
- Made with a variety of minerals
- High in protein
- Rich in antioxidants
- Not suitable for puppies and seniors
- Made with chicken by-product meal
- Contains gluten
What’s Up With Sodium in Your Dog’s Diet?
Why Is Sodium Necessary?
Just like we do, dogs need a certain amount of sodium in their diet. It is an electrolyte like potassium and chloride.
The mineral is necessary for their body to run optimally. It plays a vital role in the functioning of your pet’s muscles and nerves.
Significantly, it is crucial in maintaining the balance of water in a dog’s body.
Sodium is present in all their cells. It stops them from dehydrating and keeps them swollen so that they can keep on working.
Recommended Sodium Intake for Your Dog
You should remember that different dogs have different dietary and nutritional requirements.
According to AAFCO, the bare minimum amount of sodium that an adult dog needs is 0.06% of their diet. Their recommended minimum is 20 mg per 100 kcal.
The mineral needs to make up at least 0.3% of growing or pregnant dogs diet.
A responsible pet owner should always be wary. Unfortunately, most pet foods contain much more sodium than your dog needs.
Usually, this won’t be an issue because dogs would excrete the excess minerals in their urine.
But there are various conditions which can be worsened and even be caused by the consumption of high amounts of sodium.In these cases, you should attempt to reduce the sodium your dog eats.
Note that it isn’t recommended that any dog eat food that contains more than 100 milligrams per kilocalorie.
When Is a Low Sodium Diet Necessary?
Research has shown that your dog can benefit from a diet with sodium restrictions if they suffer from the following health issues:
Regularly feeding them food that is low in sodium can help you to manage these concerns and to safeguard their health.
There are different levels of restrictions:
There is a significant variance in the mineral content of products.
The sodium level that your pet should eat depends on the severity of their health issues, for instance, a dog with heart failure needs to eat food with severely reduced sodium levels.
The products on the list fall under the moderate and severe restrictions. In contrast to this average commercial dog foods contain more or less 100 mg kcal of sodium.
You can check the nutritional content of a portion of food by reading its ingredients and nutrient analysis carefully.
Treats can also pack quite a lot of minerals and nutrients, so you need to factor this into your dog’s daily diet.
If you decide to opt for a low sodium dog food be wary that you don’t feed them too little sodium.
You don’t want your pet to develop a deficiency.
Remember that you should always consult your veterinarian if your pet is ill. They will be able to advise you on the right course of action.
You can ask them which product they recommend for your furry friend.
What Should You Look for in Low Sodium Foods for Dogs?
1. Sodium Content
One of the most important attributes to consider is the sodium content of the food.
A low sodium dog food needs to contain less than 80 mg per 100 kcal of food.
The brand might provide the details in or in percentage.
2. Nutritional Balance
It doesn’t help if the sodium percentage of the food is what your dog needs but it isn’t balanced.
The product needs to provide all the other nutrients that your pet needs. It should contain the appropriate amount of protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrates to fuel them.
3. Type of Food
You can see that as with any choice there are multiple factors to consider. One of these is the kind of food that you are going to buy.
As the primary food source, you can purchase low sodium food in a dry form like kibble or a wet and canned product.
4. Flavor
You need to check the flavor of the product you are planning to buy. Some products don’t state this clear so look for the fine print.
If you know your dog’s taste preferences, you will more easily find food that they love.
The flavor will indicate some of the primary ingredients in the recipe.
Final Roundup
The items on this are five of the best low sodium foods for dogs that are commercially available in 2024.
In my opinion, the winner of all these foods is ROYAL CANIN’s Canine Early Cardiac Dry dog food. It has moderately restricted levels of sodium with only 0.33% of Sodium.
The product was made especially to support your pet’s cardiovascular health.
In addition to its reduced sodium content, it contains taurine, L-carnitine, EPA, DHA, and Omega 3.
The food is relatively expensive, but it is made with premium ingredients which are reinforced with multiple vitamins and minerals.
It provides holistic care for your dog.
Which product is your favorite? Let us know what you think about these low sodium dog foods in the comments and share the review with your fellow dog owners.
Hey there, I’m Ruby Smith, founder of Pet So Fun, and I’m here to provide you with useful information about your precious pet. All pets deserve the best care, don’t they? But not all pet owners have access to the right products and tips for their pets. And the central core of my work here is to change that.