Stress, behavior, and sodium appetite

Larry L. Berger, Ph.D.
Salt Institute
Salt and Trace Minerals newsletter
Fall 2002 (Vol 34, No.2)
Heat, cold, antagonistic social interactions -- they stress us and they stress livestock and poultry. Minimizing stress in animals improves their health and productivity -- and producers' bottom lines. Stressful production environments increase salt requirements and salt appetite. Adding salt in these situations helps animals cope with stress.