Salt for Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Mink, Foxes and Other Small Animals

There is little information on salt requirements for dogs and cats, mink, foxes, rabbits and other small animals.

The 1985 NRC publication, Nutrient Requirements of Dogs, states the following: "One percent of sodium chloride (salt) in the total dry-type diet will supply normal needs and is not excessive for normal dogs." (142). AAFCO (289) recommends 0.3% sodium and 0.45% chloride in the diet of growing and reproducing dogs. Symptoms of a deficiency are fatigue, exhaustion, inability to maintain water balance, decreased water intake, retarded growth, dryness of skin and loss of hair (142). Dr.C. M. McCay of Cornell University reported that dogs fed diets containing 2% added salt consumed more water than usual but remained in good health (56).

The National Research Council publication on Nutrient Requirements of Mink and Foxes states as follows: "There are no data on the requirements of foxes for sodium and chloride. However, the requirements are met by fortifying the dry diet with 0.5% salt"(143).

There are no data on the minimum requirements of the growing mink for sodium and chloride. However, it is suggested that 0.5% salt in the wet feed or 1.3% salt in the dry diet be used for pregnant and nursing females to prevent "nursing sickness." Sodium and chloride requirements at other times may be lower (143).

The National Research Council publications on Nutrient Requirements of Rabbits state that in practice, salt is generally added to the diet at a level of 0.5% or provided ad libitum by means of a salt block for free-choice consumption.(89)

Table 8 gives recommended levels of salt to use with other laboratory animals and fish. The 1993 NRC (285) did not give dietary sodium or chloride requirements for fish. Very little research has been conducted on salt needs of these animals; hence, the recommended levels may change as more definitive information is obtained in the future.

Table 8. Recommended Salt Levels for Other Animals by National Research Council Publications

Name of NRC Publication on Nutrient Requirements of Small Animals	Year of Publication	Reference	Level of Salt Recommended in Total Diet, %	Signs of Deficiency of Salt in the Diet
Cats	1986	102	500 mg Na and 1900 mg Cl per kg dry diet	Weight loss, severe alopecia and skin dryness
Rats	1978	103	0.125.	Retarded growth, corneal lesions, soft bones, infertility, death
Mice	1978	103	0.5-0.7	No data reported
Gerbils	1978	103	0.39-1.0	No data reported
Guinea pigs	1978	103	0.5	No data reported
Hamsters	1978	103	0.38	No data reported
Warmwater fishes	1983	145	0.6	No data reported
Coldwater fishes	1981	144	0.5	No data reported
Non-human primates	1978	101	0.4-1.0	No data reported