My dog

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Can dogs eat it?

Can dogs eat salt?

Only with care Do not add salt or share salty food. A large dose at once, such as rock salt, salt dough or sea water, can poison a dog.

Why

Dogs need some sodium, and it is already in their food. Salt poisoning happens after a large dose over a short time, especially without fresh water (AKC, MSD). AKC points out that a small dog can be affected by very little. If your dog has licked rock salt, eaten salt dough or drunk sea water, call your vet or an animal poison line straight away. Common causes are rock salt licked off paws, homemade salt dough and play dough, and drinking sea water. Sources differ on salty snacks: AKC says a few in moderation should not cause poisoning, while RSPCA Australia says never feed salt.

Signs to watch for

If your dog ate salt and salty food

Call your vet or a poison line straight away and make sure your dog can reach fresh water. Never use salt water to make a dog sick (RSPCA).

If your dog has eaten something toxic

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet now. Do not wait for signs, and do not make your dog sick unless a vet tells you to. Take the packet with you.

Australia: poison advice lines
  • Animal Poisons Helpline: 1300 869 738. Open 24/7. Its own home page says consultations with a Poisons Information Consultant are available from $75 AUD. Older pages still call it free: RSPCA Australia's knowledgebase (last updated December 2023) and the helpline's own 2019 launch news, so ask about the fee when you call.
United States: poison advice lines
United Kingdom: poison advice lines
  • Animal PoisonLine: 01202 509 000. Open 24 hours, run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service. £35 per call 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, £45 at all other times including bank holidays, paid by card (Amex not accepted). If your pet shows collapse, seizures or breathing difficulty, it says to contact your vet immediately instead.
Canada: poison advice lines
  • Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661. Its own site says it is available throughout the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean, 24/7. A USD 89 per incident fee applies, which includes follow-up consultations.
New Zealand: poison advice lines
  • Animal Poisons Helpline: 0800 869 738. Open 24/7, the same service as in Australia. New Zealand's National Poisons Centre says it is available to all New Zealand pet owners and that charges do apply; the amount for New Zealand callers is not stated.
  • National Poisons Centre (for people). New Zealand's National Poisons Centre handles human poisonings and says it is not expert in animal poisonings. For a pet, call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline.

How to give it safely

Leave it out. A dropped crisp is not an emergency, but salty snacks should not be regular treats.

This is general guidance, your vet sets the actual schedule. Puppies, small dogs and dogs with a health condition can react to smaller amounts. Check with your own vet before changing what your dog eats.

Other foods people ask about

Cinnamon Only with care Cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, but it can irritate the mouth and gut. The amount in a bite of baking is fine; the oil is riskier. Garlic No, toxic No. Garlic is in the onion family and 3 to 5 times more toxic than onion. It can damage red blood cells and cause anaemia. Mint Only with care Best avoided. Large amounts of mint can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and mint sweets, gum and toothpaste often contain xylitol. Nutmeg No, toxic No. Nutmeg contains myristicin. A trace in baking is unlikely to harm, but larger amounts can cause disorientation and seizures. Parsley Only with care A small sprinkle of curly parsley is fine. Large amounts can make skin sensitive to sunlight.

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Sources

Last reviewed 2026-09-29.