Can Cats Eat Salt? Learn About The Foods That Are Toxic To Them

Everyone knows about these tiny but fierce and independent cutie pies, their big eyes, curious nature, cute face and their famous 'catwalk' aren't something that needs an explanation.

Curiosity and cats go hand in hand, they are so eager about everything that they don’t stop until they have figured it out. These cute little munchkins were once considered sacred animals in Egypt and were worshipped too, and do we even need to talk about the superstitions surrounding the cats?

Cats are often associated with witchcraft and dark powers; especially black cats who have been mistreated a lot due to these superstitions but now the situation is changing a lot and people are keeping black cats as their beloved pets. Cats are nocturnal in nature; they love hunting in the dark.

Cats are carnivorous animals which means they are flesh eaters. They love hunting and catching their prey. Sometimes cats also eat grass which serves as a laxative and helps them with their digestion. Cats are low-maintenance pets who don't even require a lot of training, they can be potty trained very easily and of course, they keep themselves clean. They are also considered ideal apartment pets. If you live in an apartment, you are more likely to opt for a cat than a dog. Many apartments that don’t allow a large pet will still allow tenants to have a cat or two. Cats don't even require a lot of space, so they will be happier while living in a tiny apartment.

Because cats use litter boxes, they don’t need to be taken outside to potty or to exercise and it is easier to keep a cat in apartments on the upper floor because you won’t need to bring it down the stairs twice a day. Cats are very quiet compared to dogs, so neighbors in the apartment building won’t be bothered by its meowing as they may be by the barking of a dog.

Now that we know some basics about these four-legged purring animals, let’s know more about their diet and why salt is something that should be kept away from their diet! Salt is commonly used for cooking food for humans but many pet parents wonder that can cats eat salt. The answer is yes, cats can eat some quantities of salt. As per experts, 0.0007 - 0.0014 oz (21-42 mg) of salt is considered safe for feline nutrition. Anything more than that can have toxic effects. After you are done reading all about if your cat can eat some salt, then do check can cats eat beef and can cats eat pizza?

Is salt toxic to cats?

Salt is generally not recommended for pets whether cats or dogs. Humans are fond of table salt. Cats eating salt in large amounts or small amounts can cause dehydration but when ingested in larger amounts, salt can be really toxic for cats and can even lead to salt poisoning.

Cats are really curious animals and they try to eat things that they really shouldn’t so be careful with that jar of salt in your house. Even small amounts of salt can make the cats uncomfortable because it makes them urinate more often and drink more water in order to flush out the salt content but when a huge amount of salt enters the cat’s body then things start to get serious. Cats may get seizures, might become dizzy, lethargic, tremors, they might vomit stools, and might look disoriented or sick. They might even lose their appetite. 

Cats have their own list of special traits, the first one being their ability to retract their claws when they are not in use. The second trait is their sense of cleanliness. If you own a cat then you don’t need to worry about keeping it clean because the kitty will take care of that. They groom themselves by licking, especially after meals and they cover their poop with sand; leaving no trace behind. This is the reason why owners keep litter boxes in their houses. No matter where they are, cats never compromise when it comes to keeping themselves and their surroundings clean. Cats, just like dogs, are great pets if you know how to take good care of them. Cats are like introverted humans, they aren't that socially active but once they bond with you they turn out to be clingy and need affection from time to time. Cats usually feel content just by sitting quietly near their beloved human while you are working or reading a book. There is nothing more healing and peaceful than a cat purring on your lap after having a long and tiresome day.

How much salt is dangerous for cats? 

Cats usually don’t directly consume salt so there are many sources through which salt can enter their bodies.

The first one is human food that has high sodium content. The next one is some of the cat foods that contain sodium. So, check the contents before buying cat food. According to the experts, a cat needs only 0.0007 - 0.0014 oz (21-42 mg) of salt each day which is less than a quarter of a teaspoon, and if given more than that; it becomes toxic for the cats. 

Side Effects Of Salt In Cats  

If your cat has somehow accidentally eaten too much salt then it can cause dehydration and sodium-ion imbalance which further will lead to major side effects.

In earlier days, salt was used to induce vomiting diarrhea in cats for medical reasons by some cat owners and vets but now this practice is prohibited and not accepted. 

Side effects or symptoms related to intaking excessive salt in cats include vomiting, lethargy, coma, nausea, diarrhea, and urination.

How to fix salt poisoning in cats?

The first step you have to take is, visit an experienced veterinarian. The common symptoms of excess sodium are shared with several other ailments, hence the veterinarian can seek further diagnostic tests. The usual method of treating the symptoms of excess sodium is using class IV fluids for diluting the sodium present in the blood. This is a very safe, effective, and common approach to restore sodium balance.

If salt poisoning turns out to be the cause, then the veterinarian will offer some medicines along with IV fluids for treatment. So, when you observe your cat having these symptoms then you have to take it immediately to a vet and get it treated for salt poisoning because sometimes too much salt can even lead to death. 

Other food items that aren't good for cats as follows.

Chocolate: Theobromine and caffeine present in chocolates are toxic for cats.

Dog food: Constant intake of dogs food can cause malnutrition in cats. 

Cheese, milk, and other dairy products: Most cats are lactose intolerant, and eating dairy products can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats. 

Bread: Occasionally, it's fine to feed them bread but in the long run it can be toxic.

Onions and garlic: These can cause anemia in the cells and can damage the red blood cells in cats.

Tuna: We all know cats love fish but too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning in cats so just feed it as a treat occasionally.

Raw meat: We know cats are hunters by nature so you might wonder what's wrong with feeding raw meat but remember that raw meat brought from the market can contain bacterias like Salmonella which can cause health issues.

Coffee: Coffee contains caffeine which is very toxic for cats and causes severe health issues.

From all the information stated above, we can indeed conclude that salt is in fact dangerous for cats. Not just cats but for many pets. There's something called 'salt poisoning' and it is indeed very risky. In order to avoid this salt poisoning, you need to check the contents of the cat foods you buy and beware that you shouldn't feed normal home-cooked food to the cats which contain salt. It is even better if you feed canned wet food that doesn't contain salt. When compared to dry cat food, wet food contains less salt percentage so it's better to go with the latter one. There have been questions as to whether sea salt and rock salt are good for cats and the answer is again, no; sea salt or even just salt in any form isn't really good for cats and can cause sodium level imbalance in them. In recent years, salt lamps have become very trendy decorative items in households but did you know that these lamps are proven to be a danger for cats?

The reason behind this is that the curious nature of these cats makes them lick these salt lamps which later causes salt poisoning and even death. Consumption of a bit of salt or just taking it in their mouth for any animal will cause them to die in severe cases of dehydration and severe stomach issues. Every human food is not compatible with cats. Cats get salty stomach, vomiting diarrhea, or kidney failure, which can make them dehydrated. Providing them with electrolytes in such situations is the best choice for their stomach. An electrolyte is a mineral found in your blood that helps regulate and control the balance of fluids in the body. Milk is a fluid consisting of electrolytes.  As a pet owner, always make sure to look for signs of discomfort in your pet like a salty stomach which is not normal. It is also advised to keep their body away from the sea or such toxicity-filled places for their body to function properly and be healthy. Make sure to keep your pet healthy as prevention is better than cure.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for can cats eat salt then why not take a look at can cats eat raspberries or siamese cat facts.