Can cats eat salt? What harm does salt do to cats?

Cats can eat salt. Because the metabolism of cats is inseparable from salt. But the salt here not only refers to the edible salt in our life, but also includes chlorine-containing compounds, such as chlorine-containing compounds in food.

2. Cats must supplement sodium and chlorine (two elements that make up salt) to survive. Salt is necessary for cats' normal activities. Proper salt is not only good for health, but also essential for cats' life! Cats' body cells need sodium and chlorine (two elements that make up salt). These two minerals play a key role in regulating the concentration of liquid inside and outside the cat's cell membrane and keeping every cell in the cat properly hydrated but not completely broken.

These minerals also have other functions, such as adjusting the pH value in blood, producing hydrochloric acid in cats' stomachs, bringing nutrients into cells, and transporting wastes out of the body before problems occur.

Cats need low salt every day. Because they eat less salt, unlike people who excrete a lot of salt through sweating. Cats can store sodium (the main source is salt), and the sodium loss of adult cats is very low. According to the nutrition magazine, the average cat needs about 2 1 mg of salt every day. The concentration in many cat foods is higher than this. The National Research Council recommends no more than 42 mg per day.

Cats should not eat too little salt.

Too little salt may lead to serious or even fatal electrolyte imbalance, leading to depression, lethargy, muscle weakness, unconsciousness, seizures, vomiting, anxiety, behavior changes, coma and other symptoms, and ultimately lead to death.

Cats shouldn't eat too much salt.

Excessive salt will cause serious harm to cats' health, leading to electrolyte imbalance, sodium ion poisoning, cell dehydration and serious injury. If cats eat too much salt, they may vomit, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, ataxia, muscle spasm, extreme thirst, facial and leg water accumulation, fever, rapid heartbeat, muscle weakness, disorientation, drunken walking, excessive urination, tremor, seizures, coma and even death. If not treated in time, the cat may die within 24 hours. Therefore, if you suspect that your cat has too much salt, you should take it to the pet hospital in time. Veterinarians will give it intravenous fluids to regulate electrolytes.

6. Adding a little salt is generally not a problem.

Although the cat should never be given salty potato chips regularly, there is no harm in feeding the cat a small amount of salt occasionally. If you cook chicken breast, beef and other meat for cats, it is recommended to add a little salt with white water. It is recommended to give priority to cat food. The nutrition in cat food can fully meet the needs of cats, so don't worry about excessive salt.