Salt

Common table salt (sodium chloride). Sodium and chloride are essential nutrients required in small amounts for fluid balance and nerve function, and salt is also added to improve taste. Healthy pets excrete excess sodium, so normal levels in complete foods are considered safe; it's only a concern for pets with specific heart or kidney conditions, or when present in unusually large amounts.

What it's doing there

Provides essential sodium and chloride; also enhances palatability.

The concern

None recorded in our references for topical use as directed.

How sure are we

High. This ingredient is well documented and there is broad agreement about how it behaves.

Note: Sodium and chloride are essential nutrients; salt is safe at levels in complete pet foods, with caution only for pets with heart or kidney conditions.

How this affects a score

This ingredient is functional and unremarkable. It neither raises nor lowers a product's score. See the full formula →