Can Dogs Eat Low Salt Gravy?

In this research you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Low Salt Gravy?“.

Every dog owner knows that their pet loves to lick leftover gravy from the inside of a dishwasher.

Even better in their dog bowls with some meat or kibble!

It is highly addictive to them and they would eat it all day if they could.

Is it possible for dogs to eat gravy though? Do you think its better if theres less salt in it? 

Here are both short-term and long-term consequences of one of the worlds most popular sauces going low on salt. 

What is low salt gravy?

There is usually a 25%-30% reduction in sodium in low salt gravy compared to the regular gravy.

Salt-free gravy cannot be completely salt-free due to the lack of ready-made salt substitutes unlike sugar-free products that use xylitol instead.

In order to compensate for the reduced amount of salt the products use flavor enhancers.

There is a ‘25% Less Salt’ option on Bisto the most popular gravy brand on the market with a salt content of 0.28 grams per 100ml.

Approximately 16% of the daily recommended intake is found in regular Bisto Gravy which contains 0.94 grams per 100ml. 

In McCormicks regular Brown Gravy there are 0.34 grams of sodium per 100ml while in its ‘30% Less Sodium’ version there are 0.23 grams of sodium per 100ml. 

What are the other main ingredients in low salt gravy?

Thats great the salt has been reduced. Is there anything else I need to add? What are the most important ones for me to know?

The ingredients in Bistos ‘25% Less Salt’ include Potato Starch Palm Fat Salt Wheat Flour Flavour Enhancers (including MSG) Sugar and Onion Oil.

It contains the following main ingredients: Enriched Wheat Flour Wheat Starch Rendered Beef Fat Hydrolyzed Soy Protein Gluten Salt Onion Flavor Enhancers Sodium Caseinate (Milk) Sugar and Garlic.

With both ‘low salt’ options the same ingredients are used as in regular gravy but flavor enhancers are added.

There is MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) in both gravies. While the long-term effects of MSG are unknown studies have shown that it can cause stunting obesity and brain death in animals.

Why might low salt gravy be unhealthy for dogs?

Whats the point of bringing out a reduced salt version if its still unhealthy?

To begin with any level of salt in a dogs body is unhealthy and can lead to long-term health problems. A dogs sodium levels can be poisoned if they consume too much salt for example.

Garlic and onion are extremely harmful to dogs in both of the low salt gravies above. Certain animals are toxic to n-propyl disulfide which is present in both compounds. Even in healthy dogs the compound leads to a breakdown of red blood cells resulting in anemia.

Dogs with intolerances to wheat and gluten may suffer from health problems. 

It is also a warning sign when MSG is present. MSG does not have many positive benefits it is only harmful. 

Why might low salt gravy benefit dogs?

There must be some benefits to low salt gravy right? It contains some benefits for dogs that can actually improve their health in the long run.

It is possible that some of the ingredients can provide tiny benefits. As an example sodium caseinate is a quality protein well tolerated by dogs.

Despite the fact that some ingredients may have some small benefits its not the best nutritional choice for a dog. Let them lick gravy from your dishwasher or smother it all over their dry food instead! 

What is the nutrition in low salt gravy?

What is the real fat content of gravy? There must be a secret hidden fat content in something that tastes so good?

Low salt gravies still contain 70-75% of the salt levels found in regular gravy however. The fat content of both is very low just 0.5 grams. Depending on the size of the dog they can have between 14 grams (for small dogs) and 28 grams (for large dogs). There may even be more needed for puppies!

The calories in Bisto Reduced Salt are 14 per 100ml while McCormicks Less Sodium has 20 per 100ml. Dogs typically require 200-400 calories per day although it can vary. I think it really depends on the dogs size as well as how much exercise he gets on a daily basis.

For gravy a portion size of 5-10% of a dogs daily allowance would be sufficient.

Can dogs eat Bisto gravy?

My dog prefers Sunday over any other day of the week. One of his favorite things is to lick the gravy off my plate once I have finished eating.

I wonder though if its bad for dogs why hasnot he ever been sick?

There is a potential health risk associated with Bisto gravy so dogs should avoid it.

In spite of the fact that your dog may already enjoy gravy on leftover Sunday roast dinner it should only be given in small amounts. 

When my dog eats a jug whole what happens?

The chances of your dog suffering from sodium poisoning are low as long as they avoid overeating. The long-term health consequences of salt and fat include obesity and acute pancreatitis. 

In addition to onion powder dogs can be toxic to E-numbers. 

So there really not seem to be any positives at all?

Bisto can provide your dog with some healthy nutrients. Inactive yeast powder is a good source of protein and vitamin B and potato starch aids digestion. In spite of this its better to get these nutrients from somewhere else due to the risks associated with other ingredients.

Making your own dog gravy is a great idea because its twice as tasty – partly because they can have as much as they want!

Can dogs eat homemade gravy?

Instant gravy isnot always the best choice. Are you wondering whether your dog will enjoy your homemade gravy?

It is possible but only with dog gravy or a homemade gravy that does not contain any salt garlic or onions.

Its obvious that homemade dog gravy or dog gravy products are perfect for pooches’ diets as well as avoiding their sensitivities and allergies. There are no obscure ingredients in them because they’re made from minimally processed whole foods.

How do you make homemade gravy?

A homemade dog gravy can be made with natural ingredients such as chicken carrots butternut squash thyme and sage. As a result it is tasty without any flavorings or salts added. 

There are a number of dog gravy recipes or health products designed specifically for dogs. A noticeable difference is the absence of E-numbers artificial flavors colors or preservatives in favor of ingredients such as dried spinach and flaxseed.

Okay. Is there an alternative to gravy? Would you mind if I mixed it up a bit?

In fact gravy alternatives are a fantastic way to boost your dogs nutritional intake. It is increasingly common to add bone broth to dog gravy or kibble toppings. In addition to its protein content it also contains collagen glycine and glucosamine. You can really benefit from this when it comes to bone health and muscle growth.

There is also taurine in kibble toppers and dog gravy which helps to maintain the health of the heart the brain and the eyes.

Beef and carrots are also much better sources of protein than inactive yeast powder.

Are there any other questions I should ask?

MSG onion salt gravy and E-numbers are also completely absent from dog gravy.

Low salt gravy vs dog gravy

Its understandable that you would think that. You may not have the time to make dog gravy or it may be hard to find.

What is the difference between low-salt gravy and dog gravy?

A huge advantage of dog gravy is that it is specifically designed to meet the dietary needs of dogs. Their natural ingredients such as taurine and protein provide dogs with a variety of positive nutrition. Furthermore the variety of ingredients contributes greatly to the success of the program. 

Many nutritional benefits can be derived from low salt gravy ingredients. Besides salt onion and garlic there is still enough salt to potentially harm the dog.

What is the difference between the two?

Moreover gravy also contains saturated fats and unhealthy carbohydrates which can upset your stomach. A dogs heart health can be affected by this in the long run.

Adding dog gravy to your dogs diet is not only harmless but also very beneficial. 

Other ways of making kibble appetizing

We know that weaning dogs off gravy can be difficult. Its not uncommon for them to wolf down kibble drenched in gravy (when allowed!).

What are the other options?

There are many healthier options available to enhance the flavor of kibble than gravy.

Can you think of anything else?

In the market there are dog gravies and kibble toppers specifically designed to promote the health of dogs. Bone broth is one of these popular flavors.

In addition to improving the taste of the kibble you can also sneak secret vitamins or nutrients into your dogs diet! 

Can you tell me how much my dog should be fed?

Use the ‘50% rule here replacing 50% of your dogs kibble with fresh whole foods. You should replace the gravy with as much fresh food as possible as you try to move your dog away from carbohydrates and fats.

A dogs food would benefit from digestive enzymes sprinkled on it. Probiotic supplements promote good health and digestion by containing live bacteria.

Additionally you can purchase meal toppers in the form of steamed vegetables that are grated or blended so that your dog would not notice.

Can Dogs Eat Low Salt Gravy?

Is it okay for dogs to eat low-salt gravy?

There are potential health risks associated with even low salt gravy so its best to avoid it for dogs.

Just make sure your dog is supervised when licking gravy from the dishwasher.

You should not worry about your dog getting sodium poisoning as long as they do not overeat. There are however short- and long-term health consequences associated with salt and fat such as toxicity obesity and acute pancreatitis. 

There are serious health risks associated with MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) which is present in both gravies.

In addition to onion powder dogs can be toxic to E-numbers. 

Your dog can benefit from some healthy nutrients in low salt gravy. Inactive yeast powder can provide protein and vitamin B while potato starch aids digestion. Dogs can also get quality protein from sodium caseinate. Despite this its best to source these nutrients elsewhere due to the risk of other ingredients.

Fortunately dog gravy can be made or purchased to suit your dogs health needs or preferences.

If you want to read more about dog food tips read here: Dog Food Tips and Tricks.