A good way to show our love for dogs is to share our food with them. Unfortunately, this isn’t a smart thing because most of our foods are unsafe for dogs.
An example of this is Soy Sauce, a staple seasoning for many popular dishes. This is common in most Chinese cuisines because it makes the dish tastier and more appealing. These are safe for people. But is it also safe for dogs?
Can dogs eat Soy Sauce?
No, dogs can’t eat Soy Sauce because it’s unhealthy. Soy Sauce is very salty because it contains too much sodium. It also has ingredients like soybeans, wheat, and yeast that can cause allergic reactions in your dog.
In this article, we’ll explain the effects Soy Sauce has on dogs. We’ll also show you its nutrition facts and risks and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the effects of Soy Sauce on a dog’s health.
What Is Soy Sauce?
Soy Sauce is a popular Chinese condiment made from a fermented wheat paste, soybeans, roasted grain, salt, and yeast. These are commonly used in many Chinese and other Asian delicacies.
One tablespoon of Soy Sauce contains 8.5 calories and 879 grams of sodium. This makes it unhealthy for dogs because this can cause excessive weight gain and pancreatitis because it’s too salty.
Although one serving contains 1.3 grams of protein, this isn’t still enough to make it a healthy diet for dogs.
Is Soy Sauce Safe For Dogs?
No, Soy Sauce isn’t safe for dogs because it contains too much sodium, making it very salty. Your dog’s digestive system can’t properly process salty foods because they are naturally designed to digest bland and flavorless meat.
Your dog can suffer from salt poisoning and kidney failure if they regularly eat Soy Sauce. There are also some cases when constant eating of Soy Sauce leads to deadly neurological issues.
You can give fresh fruits to your dog so they’ll be distracted. Sweet fruits like mangoes and bananas are great ideas for your dog because they are rich sources of Vitamins A, C, and D, which help strengthen their immune system.
Can Soy Sauce Poison Dogs?
Yes, Soy Sauce can poison dogs because it contains too much salt. Salt is harmful to your dog’s health because their digestive system can’t properly process salty foods.
One teaspoon of Soy Sauce contains around 900 milligrams of sodium, too much for dogs. The recommended daily sodium intake of dogs is only about 200 milligrams of sodium.
Having 900 milligrams of sodium in one day is overwhelming for dogs, especially if they consume this in one sitting. Salt poisoning can cause many neurological issues that can lead to death if left untreated.
Why Shouldn’t Dogs Eat Soy Sauce?
Salt Poisoning
Dogs shouldn’t eat Soy Sauce because this can cause salt poisoning. Even a small amount of Soy Sauce can make your dog ill because of its very high sodium content.
Salt poisoning is a serious health condition for dogs because they can suffer from convulsion, fever, tachycardia, muscle spasms, and seizures.
This can even lead to death if your dog is left untreated. Immediately bring your dog to the nearest veterinarian if they consumed Soy Sauce.
Kidney Failure
Dogs that regularly eat Soy Sauce can also experience kidney failure because of its high salt content. The most common symptoms of kidney failure are oral ulcers, blood in urine, loss of appetite, and restlessness.
Kidney failure is a severe health condition which is why you need to bring your dog to the vet immediately. Kidney failure treatment depends on its severity. But the usual methods are intravenous fluids, dialysis, and significant dietary changes.
Allergies
Dogs can suffer from allergies if they eat Soy Sauce. Soy sauce contains four main ingredients: wheat, soybeans, salt, and yeast.
Soybeans and wheat are common dog allergies because they aren’t well-received by their body. A dog’s allergic reactions to these ingredients are usually diarrhea, inflammation, and indigestion.
Although allergies aren’t as severe as the previous effects, they can still deal a huge blow to your dog’s overall wellbeing.
Toxic Ingredients
Some Soy Sauce brands contain onions and garlic, which are harmful to your dog’s health. These toxic ingredients can cause serious health issues like diarrhea, excessive drooling, and vomiting.
Dogs can also experience abdominal pain and weakness if they consume these ingredients. It also takes many days before the symptoms start showing, so you need to keep a close eye on them, especially after eating Soy Sauce.
Onions contain a compound called N-propyl disulfide that breaks down your dog’s red blood cells, leading to anemia.
What To Do If Dogs Eat Soy Sauce?
Don’t panic if your dog ate Soy Sauce because it will make them feel anxious and more aggravated. Keep a close eye on your dogs and watch out for any signs of salt poisoning.
The symptoms you need to watch out for are respiratory distress, muscle spasms, lethargy, and nausea. Immediately bring your dog to the nearest vet if you observe these symptoms.
It’s also a good thing if your dog is very thirsty and urinates a lot because the water they drink flushes the excess salt from their body. Continuously give more water to your dog so they can pee more times and flush out the intoxicating salt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens To Your Dog If They Eat Soy Sauce?
Soy Sauce can poison dogs and cause diarrhea, muscle spasms, lethargy, nausea, and abdominal pain.
Meanwhile, long-term effects of regularly eating Soy Sauce include kidney failure, anemia, and heart disease. Make sure your dog can’t access your Soy Sauce container because even a tiny amount can be fatal to your dog.
You don’t need to wait for symptoms to appear after seeing your dog eating Soy Sauce. Bring your dog immediately to the nearest veterinarian to be treated as soon as possible.
You’ll also know your dog’s status ahead of time and know the required medical procedures to lessen the adverse effects of salt poisoning. Common treatments for salt poisoning in dogs are oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, and blood transfusion.
Can Dogs Die From Eating Soy Sauce?
Yes, dogs can die from overeating Soy Sauce because of its very high salt content. Some dogs are allergic to soybeans and wheat, which are Soy Sauce’s main ingredients. Combine all of these, and you develop fatal effects that can lead to your dog’s death.
Some Soy Sauce brands contain onion and garlic, which are toxic for dogs because they can cause blood anemia.
Is Soy Sauce Healthy For Dogs?
No, Soy Sauce is unhealthy for dogs because of the high sodium content that makes it very salty. Dogs can’t correctly process salty foods, which is why this can cause kidney failure.
Although Soy Sauce contains fiber, protein, calcium, folate, and iron, these are just in very small amounts, which are still insignificant compared to the risks involved when dogs consume Soy Sauce.
Dogs can also get these nutrients from healthier and safer foods like fruits, lean meat, and vegetables.
So, Can Dogs Eat Soy Sauce?
No, dogs can’t eat Soy Sauce because it contains too much salt. One teaspoon of Soy Sauce has around 900 milligrams of sodium, far beyond a dog’s recommended daily sodium intake of 200 milligrams.
This can lead to abdominal pain, lethargy, vomiting, and nausea. Meanwhile, long-term effects include kidney failure, pancreatitis, and worse, death.
Soy Sauce also contains ingredients like soybeans and wheat, which are allergens for many dogs. Never give Soy Sauce to your dogs, even if they ask for some. It’s not worth the risk.