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Can Dogs Eat Soy Sauce? What You Need To Know!

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By Nicole Cosgrove

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While you may simply adore feasting on the leftover Chinese takeout sitting in your fridge, you should never share that love with your dog.

For pet parents wondering if their pooch can eat soy sauce, the simple answer is no.

To glean a better understanding of why soy sauce is bad for your dog, let’s fully explore everything there is to know about your pooch and this delicious condiment.

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Can Dogs Eat Soy Sauce?

You should always keep soy sauce away from your dog. Dogs cannot safely consume soy sauce. If Fido consumes even little more than a teaspoon of soy sauce and doesn’t have quick access to water, he will be at risk for kidney damage or salt poisoning. This can lead to neurological concerns and even death.

Dish of soy sauce on the wooden table
Image Credit: koosen, Shutterstock

Why is Soy Sauce Bad for Dogs?

The main reason why soy sauce is bad for dogs is its high salt content. In fact, there is more than 902 mg of sodium in every tablespoon of soy sauce, which loosely translates to about ¾ teaspoon of salt. That’s roughly equivalent to the same amount of salt in two large bags of potato chips!

While this may seem like a small amount of salt to several adult humans, it could be fatal for Fido.

Moreover, soy sauce can be toxic and even cause death in dogs. This is because soy sauce may contain onions or garlic, which is toxic to dogs in large amounts. These ingredients can lead to abdominal pain, excessive drooling, weakness, and diarrhea in dogs.

Drooling dog
Image Credit: Reddogs, Shutterstock

Health Hazards of Soy Sauce in Dogs

If your dog somehow got into the trash and ate last night’s Chinese takeout, you should call your vet right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:

  • Increased thirst
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Seizures
  • Tremors
  • Frequent urination
  • Convulsions
  • Extreme lethargy
  • Muscle spasms
  • Respiratory issues
  • Walking like they are drunk
Black domestic dog are stoop body and vomit mucus
Image Credit: Mumemories, Shutterstock

Moreover, keep an eye out for kidney failure symptoms, which can include:

  • Urine containing blood
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Decreased appetite
  • Listlessness
  • Stumbling

Even if the symptoms are minor, contact your vet immediately.

What Do I Do If My Dog Ate Soy Sauce?

If your pet consumed soy sauce, keep a close eye on him for the aforementioned symptoms. Drinking copious amounts of water can help flush the excess salt from your pet’s body. However, it’s always best to contact your vet.

Beagle dog drinking clear water
Image Credit: ALEX_UGALEK, Shutterstock

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Wrapping Up

You should NEVER feed your dog soy sauce. Even the tiniest amount can be extremely unhealthy for dogs.

If your pet consumed soy sauce, keep an eye out for possible side effects and call your vet immediately if you notice anything abnormal.

While soy sauce is a delicious topping for humans, it can be lethal for dogs.

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