The Best Low Sodium Dog Foods To Consider For Your Furry Friend

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Best Low Sodium Dog Food

While you may be aware of low sodium diets for humans, it isn’t as common for dogs. However, there are several medical conditions that may cause your pooch to have to go on a low sodium diet. This includes heart and liver disease and even weight management issues, in certain cases.

Now, if you have looked around for low sodium dog food, you may have found that there don’t seem to be any. Well, you aren’t mistaken – there aren’t actually any dog foods specifically targeted for this particular diet. So, narrowing down which kibble to buy can actually be rather tricky.

To avoid wasting time or getting the wrong brand, you should check out this guide instead. Here, you will find all the information that you need to help you pinpoint which low sodium dog food is just right for your pup.

Best Low Sodium Dog Food

Low Sodium vs. No Sodium Diets

Now, there may be a chance that you are tempted to get your pup on a no-sodium diet. However, this is a step too far – remember, salt actually plays an important role in your dog’s health. Therefore, it is unwise to get rid of it completely.

If your pooch needs to be on a very severely restricted sodium diet, then you should look for foods that contain less than 0.1 percent. In case you just want to moderate their salt intake a bit more, consider dog foods that have between 0.1 and 0.3 percent.

What to Look For In Low Sodium Dog Food

The main issue with looking for low sodium dog foods is that details regarding the sodium content can be virtually impossible to find. This is because dog food brands aren’t required to divulge their sodium content. Therefore, if you want to go looking for this kind of kibble, you have to rely on other methods.

No Added Salt

The thing to keep in mind is that most foods – and therefore ingredients in dog food – have naturally occurring sodium levels. This is how most pups get just the right amount of sodium that they need. It is also why, if you are looking to minimize sodium levels, you should keep an eye out for foods with no added salt.

This means that you always need to look through the ingredient list of the foods you want to buy. If words such as ‘salt’, ‘iodized salt’, and ‘sodium chloride’ aren’t present, then there is a good chance that salt hasn’t been added to these foods.

Specialized Dog Food

It isn’t difficult to find dog foods that offer up specialized diets. Some of the more common include Limited Ingredients, Weight Management, Sensitive Stomachs, and Heart Healthy. Most of these diets are geared towards healthier eating habits for your pooch.

As such, they are less likely to include too much salt in their dog food. So, if you are feeling flustered about what to get your pup, these foods will often fit the bill. Still, you should always read through the ingredient list so that you know exactly what is being included.

Protein as the First Ingredient

While a low sodium content may be what you are looking for most, it is important to realize that your pooch also needs to maintain a healthy diet. Therefore, you need to make certain that the content of other food groups also meets your standards.

A sign of high-quality dog food is when the first ingredient listed is a source of protein. Remember, despite being omnivores, dogs require at least a moderate level of protein to be healthy. The protein should also be derived from a natural source and shouldn’t be a byproduct.

Includes Complex Carbs

Dogs don’t require as many carbs as they do protein. Still, carbohydrates are necessary for a well-balanced diet. Just as important, though, are the carb sources. It is a good idea to stay away from simple carbs as they don’t have any significant nutrient value. Instead, focus on complex ones.

You should also note that plenty of vegetables and fruits can act as carbohydrate sources as well. Not only are these healthier, but they have the added benefit of providing your pup with even more vitamins and minerals.

Natural Formulas

There is no denying that natural dog food formulas tend to be a bit pricier than most other commercial dog foods. These brands, however, make an effort to only include healthy and relevant ingredients in your pup’s foods. What’s more, these brands often are more careful with their manufacturing methods as well.

Furthermore, most natural formulas are geared to being healthier. Due to this, these brands monitor their sodium content a little more closely. Therefore, you may discover that it is easier to find a low sodium version with these formulas.

What to Avoid In Low Sodium Dog Food

It isn’t enough to know what to look for in a low sodium dog food, you also need to be aware of what to avoid. After all, there are quite a number of ingredients and processes that can contribute to the sodium content in dog foods.

Processed Foods

More often than not, you will find that overly processed dog foods have a higher sodium content. This is why it is important to look at just where the ingredients in your pup’s food come from. Not to mention, examine just how the food was prepared. Even if it isn’t overtly mentioned, foods that have undergone more processing will not be good for your pooch.

Addition of Artificial Flavors or Preservatives

On a similar note, artificial flavors, preservatives, and other ingredients may all have their own sodium content. So, when these are added to your dog’s food, the sodium levels go up even higher. Then there is also the fact that these ingredients are quite unhealthy for your dog.

Best Low Sodium Dog Food Reviews

Now, let’s move onto the dog food that has the most suitable sodium content for your pooch’s diet:

The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Dog Food

The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated Whole Grain Dog Food...
  • MAKES 40 LBS OF FOOD: Just add warm...
  • HUMAN GRADE, FREE RANGE CHICKEN: This...
  • SUITABLE FOR PUPPIES & ADULT DOGS:...
  • WE SAY NO TO: This recipe contains no...
  • CERTIFIED B CORPORATION – We meet the...

The Honest Kitchen brand makes health and nutrition a priority which is why it is a great option for any pooch. Now, while there is sodium chloride mentioned in the ingredient list, it is only included in small amounts. Therefore, it is more than suitable for a pup on a low sodium diet.

This food offers up more than enough protein at 24.5 percent. Not to mention, all the ingredients have been carefully chosen to ensure that your pup is getting a well-rounded, balanced diet. This will make it a lot easier to keep them healthy.

One of the main perks of this food is that all the ingredients are human-grade. Therefore, when eating this dog food, your pup is being treated to free-range chicken and organic whole grain. To add to this, the food has been dehydrated which means that has been minimally processed. It is simply a matter of adding water to the mix before feeding your pup.

The main downside here is that getting just the right consistency can be a little tricky. Not to mention, larger dogs may take a little time getting used to this kind of food. After a while, though, this problem should be sorted out.

CANIDAE Pure Dog Food

Canidae PURE Limited Ingredient Premium Adult Dry Dog Food, Lamb...
  • Contains 1- 12 Lb. Bag of Canidae PURE...
  • Real food ingredients for the taste your...
  • Complete and balanced goodness for adult...
  • Formulated with antioxidants and...
  • Canidae is creating a world of goodness...

This is a limited ingredient formula and sodium chloride isn’t mentioned anywhere. As such, this dog food will be a good option if you are trying to keep your dog’s sodium consumption as low as possible. At the same time, this kibble works to provide all of the relevant nutrients for your dog.

There is around 32 percent of protein, making it perfect for anyone who wants to increase their pup’s protein intake. At the same time, all the other ingredients have been carefully chosen to have the best possible effects. This includes the perfect mix of probiotics, minerals, and vitamins.

As a result, you can expect your pup to have a healthy digestive system. You will notice that their overall health and immunity is greatly improved as well. Your pooch should also have a shinier coat to boot.

One of the great things about this food is that all the ingredients are sourced from real products. Furthermore, there is just enough variation to ensure that your pup is being fed a healthy diet. It should be noted, though, that this dog food can be an acquired taste. Therefore, your pup may not like it too much in the beginning.

Wellness Complete Health Dog Food

Wellness Complete Health Dry Dog Food with Grains, Made in USA...
  • PROTEIN RICH ADULT DRY DOG FOOD:...
  • ALL NATURAL: Created by nutritionists,...
  • SUPPORTS DIGESTIVE HEALTH & HEALTHY...
  • NO CORN, WHEAT, OR SOY: Adult dry dog...
  • MADE IN USA: Using only the finest...

This food doesn’t have sodium chloride mentioned either. Since it largely relies on natural food sources for salt, the sodium content is one of the lowest on the markets. This makes it an excellent choice for dog parents who really do want to keep a close eye on their pup’s consumption.

This dog food also works well to provide your pooch with all the nutrition he or she needs. For one thing, there is around 24 percent of protein in each serving. For another, in addition to the nutritive ingredients, this dog food also contains added vitamins and minerals. Overall, your pooch will stay quite healthy eating this food.

You will be pleased to know that all the food sources are completely natural and high in quality. There are absolutely no by-products, artificial preservatives, or additives included in this food. Therefore, the salt level really is kept to a minimum.

The only real caveat with this dog food is that the kibble may be a tad bit small for some of the larger dogs. Therefore, if you do have a bigger breed, you may find that they make a mess while eating.

Weruva Grain-free Wet Dog Food

Weruva Classic Dog Food, Variety Pack, Chicken Free, Just 4 Me,...
  • Chicken Free, Just 4 Me Variety Pack...
  • Variey Pack includes 6 of each: Steak...
  • Weruva Classic Dog Foods feature...
  • All natural. Grain, gluten and...
  • Feeding wet food daily provides healthy...

This is one of the higher quality dog foods on the market. It is also one of the better wet dog foods out there as well. This isn’t just because it has a low sodium rating, but because the ingredients used in the food are incredibly good as well.

See, this dog food doesn’t contain any grain, gluten, and is minimally processed. There are also no added preservatives, additives, or any other ingredient that could potentially raise the sodium levels of the food. The only real concern with this food is that the consistency may be a little too liquid for certain pups to enjoy.

One of the standout features of this dog food is how well the ingredients are sourced. All the meats are from grass-fed animals while the fish are sustainably sourced. Therefore, there is no need to worry about any harmful toxins in your pup’s food.

Each serving acts as a balanced meal. Not only are there adequate levels of protein, but the food has also been fortified with all the necessary minerals and vitamins. Thus, your pup is sure to look and feel better on this diet.

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While this food does include salt in its ingredient list, it is only available in minute amounts. Therefore, even when combined with the natural salt content in the other ingredients, the overall level will be very low. This makes it suitable for those dogs that need to consume lower amounts of sodium.

This is a nutrient-rich formula and contains all the ingredients necessary to keep your pup healthy and looking good. There is an adequate amount of protein, vitamins, minerals, and more. As such, your pooch really will thrive on this kibble.

There is also quite a bit of effort and quality that goes into this food. All the ingredients have been carefully sourced ensuring that your pup gets the best possible protein, carbs, and other nutrients. The manufacturing is also done well so that the overall quality of the food is great.

The only real issue with this food is that it can make your pup’s breath rather smelly. Since it is made from real salmon, the fishy smell can linger around your dog. So, this is something that you may have to get used to.

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The salt included in this dog food is in very small amounts. This means that even with all the ingredients combined, the overall sodium content in this dog food is minimal. As such, it serves its purpose well as a low-sodium food.

Of course, this isn’t the only advantage of giving this kibble to your dog, though. This dog food has chosen high-quality protein sources to ensure that your pup gets the maximum amount of protein possible. As a result, your pooch will be consuming around 22 percent of protein with each serving.

The other ingredients are chosen equally well. In fact, virtually all of them are incredibly easy for your pup to digest. So, if he or she previously had any digestive issues, these are sure to clear up once you get them started on this kibble.

The only minor inconvenience with this kibble is that the pieces are quite small. While this may be suitable for smaller pups or even medium-sized ones, it isn’t the case for larger breeds. You may find that they have a harder time eating this dog food.

If there has to be a winner picked from this list, it would have to be The Honest Kitchen food. This is largely because the sodium levels in this food are low enough to work well even for pups with cardiac conditions. At the same time, this food manages to tick all the health boxes. It has a high nutrition value and sources all the ingredients responsibly.

This concludes the guide on the best low sodium dog food. You should now be able to easily pick out the kibble with as little salt and sodium as possible.

Last update on 2024-03-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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