Salt lick for dogs

(Jack Brien) #1

Anyone know anything about salt and dogs? I was just wondering if a salt lick might be a good idea? Google says no as it will affect their kidneys, but I don’t believe anything like that anymore!

(Michael ) #2

Why do you want to use one?

(Jack Brien) #3

She’s on a raw chicken diet, wondering if it would be helpful. She’s getting on a bit, incontinent, but otherwise fit and healthy

#4

I used to have all my dogs on a raw diet and never supplemented with salt. I used to add vegetables and acidophilus to their diet but never salt. Besides, salt isn’t going to solve the incontinence.

She/he might have a bladder infection, or if the dog is older, incontinence is sometimes part of aging but there are meds for it. Time to see the vet.
Sue

(Warren Fairfield) #5

Cook some skinned chicken thigh’s in a crock pot, pull them out. Put the broth in a bowl, let it cool and treat your puppies! The grease should loosen thing’s up I’d there is a gastrointestinal issue

(Darlene Horsley) #6

Excessive salt in a dog’s diet is not healthy at all. It can affect the kidneys and heart quite seriously.

(Jack Brien) #8

Trouble is, that’s what the mainstream thinking is about humans having salt too and we now know that that’s BS. So, while I’m wary about giving her any salt for that reason, I’d like to see some evidence

(Jack Brien) #9

When I cook chicken thighs, she gets whatever is left in the pan

(Jack Brien) #10

The salt may not solve the incontinence, it was more of an incidental thing. She may well have a bladder infection, but a trip to the vet involves a LOT of stress and she won’t allow the vet to examine her. I need to do a urine dip on her, but I keep forgetting. Salt is commonly added to store bought dog food, so Im wondering whether it needs more availability, just like for a human going keto

(Darlene Horsley) #11

Well, will the Animal Poison Control Center help?
http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/salt/

(Darlene Horsley) #12

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/salt-toxicity/overview-of-salt-toxicity

#13

Sorry in advance because I know this isn’t what you were writing about, but please get a urine sample or get her to the vet… bladder infections are painful!

(Jack Brien) #14

Says here 4g/kg lethal dose, which is 100g in a small dog, which is a lot of salt. Also the main cause is water restriction as opposed to eating salt.

(Jack Brien) #15

Still confused as it says it’s also poisonous to cattle and horses, both of which have salt licks as standard in stables that I’ve seen

(Jack Brien) #16

I have the sticks, just need to catch her at it :whale:

#17

I have just come across this and though pretty old thought that others coming across it should have more facts regarding salt licks.

There appears to be some confusion. Salt is a mineral and you will often hear minerals referred to as salts especially in an analysis. However salt licks are not your common household salt but mineral licks. In fact a balance of different minerals. Here in the UK they are usually labelled mineral licks. Back in the 80s I used to have a smallholding where we had sheep, ponies, our family dogs and cats. There used to be mineral licks out for both sheep and ponies and guess what? the dogs did lick them as did the occasional cat. Of course if your dog has no mineral deficiency there’s no point in feeding them. However many can recognise the early signs of that in which case it’s possibly worth considering.

(Joey) #18

I’m big on getting my daily salt, too. But please be careful with that logic - or you’ll wind up rejecting a lot of common sense simply because scientists haven’t gotten around to “proving” it yet.

I would suggest putting some plain salt on a plate, just a sprinkle or two, and seeing if your dog eagerly licks it up. If so, there’s a good chance s/he might benefit from it. Instincts are pretty reliable about salt when it comes to humans … perhaps it’s the same with your dog?

But still, I would go very E-A-S-Y on this idea of adding salt. Things that we think are good for them (just because we like them) are often dangerous for dogs after all (e.g., giving them chocolate, tomatoes, putting ice in their water when it’s a hot day, etc.). :dog: :broken_heart: