Can dogs and cats eat salty foods?
Thirst; in large amounts, also tremors and seizures.
DogCaution
CatCaution
If your pet ate it: note how much and call your vet or a poison helpline.The ASPCA advises this for every food on its list. This page doesn’t replace your vet.
What the sources say
- Too much salt causes thirst and a lot of urination, and can upset the minerals in the blood. Signs of salt poisoning: vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, seizures, even death.
- In winter, watch out for road salt: a pet that licks it off its paws after walking on salted sidewalks or roads can get sick. Even a little pure salt can be very dangerous (RSPCA).
- Wipe paws and belly when your pet comes in. If you think it swallowed road salt, call your vet right away, and don’t try to make it vomit.
Who to call: the numbers Search something else
What to do now
- Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet now, even if your pet seems fine: signs can take hours or days to show.
- Move your pet away from what it ate and take away what's left. If some is still in its mouth, offer a toy so it lets go.
- If the substance is on its fur or skin, wash it off with a mild shampoo and water, then rinse well and dry.
- Keep the packaging, the label or a piece of the plant, or take a photo, and bring it with you.
- Tell the vet what your pet swallowed, roughly how much and when.
What not to do
- Don't make it vomit unless the vet tells you to.
- Don't use salt water: it's extremely dangerous.
- Don't try to treat your pet yourself or give it medicines: some medicines for people and other animals are poisonous to pets.
- Don't wait for signs to appear.
Sources
- ASPCA, “People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets” (checked on October 9, 2026)
- RSPCA, “Antifreeze poisoning in cats” (checked on October 9, 2026)
- PDSA, “First aid for poisons and toxins” (checked on October 9, 2026)
- RSPCA, “Poisoning in dogs” (checked on October 9, 2026)
- RSPCA, “Poisoning in cats” (checked on October 9, 2026)