Dog treats without salt
Dog treats with no added salt do exist, but salt is not always an obvious ingredient on the label — it can appear as "salt", "sodium chloride", or be hidden inside flavourings, cheese-based treats, or anything made with cured or processed meat, so reading the ingredients list matters more than trusting the front of the pack.
Why owners look for treats without added salt
Dogs need only a small amount of sodium in their diet, and a complete dog food already provides what they need without any extra. Treats with added salt, given regularly on top of a complete diet, can push a dog's overall sodium intake higher than necessary, which matters more for dogs with existing heart, kidney or liver conditions where a vet has specifically recommended a lower-sodium diet.
For a generally healthy dog, occasional salted treats are unlikely to cause harm, but many owners prefer to avoid unnecessary added salt as a matter of course, particularly for older dogs or those with any diagnosed condition affecting how their body processes sodium.
How to spot added salt on the label
Check the ingredients list for "salt" or "sodium chloride" listed directly, which is the most obvious form. It can also appear indirectly through ingredients like cheese, cured or smoked meat, stock, or certain flavourings, all of which can carry a meaningful salt content without the word "salt" appearing prominently.
A treat marketed as "natural" or "single ingredient" is not automatically salt-free, since some naturally dried meats and fish can still carry a noticeable sodium content depending on how they are prepared. Checking the full ingredients list, rather than relying on marketing language, is the only reliable way to know.
What to choose instead
Plain, single-ingredient dried meat or fish treats with nothing added, and treats specifically labelled as no added salt, are the most straightforward options if you want to keep sodium to a minimum. Freeze-dried treats made from a single named protein are often a good fit, since the ingredient list tends to be short and easy to check.
For dogs on a vet-prescribed low-sodium diet for a heart, kidney or liver condition, ask your vet directly which treats are appropriate, since even treats marketed as "natural" may not meet the specific sodium limit your dog needs.
Without it, and in stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Pedigree Schmackos Dog Treats Meat Variety
Meat-variety dog treat sticks, 20 per pack, under 30 kcal each, banded by dog weight
£2.75
Pedigree DentaStix Daily Large Dog Dental Treats
Daily Pedigree DentaStix dental chews portioned for large dogs
£2.29
Pedigree Rodeo Dog Treats with Chicken
Pedigree Rodeo chicken twists with weekly limits for dogs over the stated weight
£2.75
Pedigree Schmackos Dog Treats with Fish
Pedigree Schmackos fish-flavour strips with daily dog-size allowances
£2.75
Forthglade Grain Free Soft Bites Fresh Breath Treats 90g
Chicken soft dog treats with parsley and peppermint oil for fresh breath
£2.45
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Joints & Bones Treats
Grain-free salmon dog treats with salmon oil, glucosamine and chondroitin
£2.45
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Good Gut Health Treats
Grain-free chicken dog treats with ginger, chicory root and MOS
£2.45
Forthglade Functional Soft Bite Treats - Plant Based Banana & Honey
Plant-based banana and honey soft dog treats for training rewards
£2.45
Bakers Bites Chicken Dog Treats
130G BAKERS Bites Chicken Dog Treats: complementary dog food or treat with composition and analysis made clear
£1.99
Bakers Sizzlers Bacon Dog Treats
315G BAKERS Sizzlers Bacon Dog Treats: complementary dog food or treat with composition and analysis made clear
£4.00
Harringtons Training Treats
A chicken liver training treat for dogs, with liver as the largest named component
£1.89
Bakers Whirlers Bacon Cheese Dog Treats
BAKERS Whirlers Bacon & Cheese Dog Treats in 130g or 450g: complementary dog food or treat
From£1.45
Common questions
- Is salt bad for dogs?
- In the small amounts found in a normal, complete diet, sodium is a necessary nutrient rather than something harmful. The concern is added salt on top of that, particularly for dogs with a heart, kidney or liver condition where a vet has recommended limiting sodium specifically.
- Do cheese-based dog treats contain a lot of salt?
- Many do, since cheese naturally carries a meaningful sodium content, and this can add up if cheese-based treats are given regularly. Checking the ingredients list on the specific product is the only way to know how much salt a particular treat contains.
- Can dogs have too much salt from treats alone?
- It is possible if salty treats are given frequently and in large amounts alongside a complete diet that already meets sodium needs. Occasional treats are unlikely to cause a problem for a healthy dog, but regular high-salt treats are worth moderating.
- What are the signs of too much salt in a dog's diet?
- Excess salt can cause increased thirst and urination, and in more serious cases, vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors or lethargy. If your dog shows any of these signs after eating something salty, contact your vet rather than waiting to see if it passes.
- Are dental chews high in salt?
- It varies by product, so check the label rather than assuming. Dental chews are formulated primarily around texture and ingredients that support oral health, and a good one should not need added salt to be effective or palatable.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.