Best Low Sodium Dog Food for Dogs With Heart Conditions

When your veterinarian tells you that your dog needs a low sodium diet, it can feel overwhelming. Suddenly you are reading the fine print on every bag and can of dog food, trying to figure out sodium levels that are rarely listed clearly. Most dog food labels do not even include sodium content in the guaranteed analysis.

I have been through this. When a friend’s senior dog was diagnosed with early congestive heart failure, we spent weeks researching low sodium options, calling manufacturers for nutritional data, and working with their cardiologist to find the right food. This guide is everything we learned, organized to save you that same frustrating journey.

Here is what low sodium actually means for dogs, when it matters, what levels to look for, and which foods meet the mark.

When Does a Dog Need Low Sodium Food?

Low sodium diets are not a general wellness choice for healthy dogs. Sodium is an essential mineral that plays critical roles in nerve function, muscle contraction, and fluid balance. Healthy dogs regulate sodium efficiently through their kidneys.

Low sodium becomes medically important in specific situations:

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

This is the most common reason veterinarians recommend sodium restriction. In CHF, the heart cannot pump blood efficiently, leading to fluid retention. High sodium intake exacerbates fluid retention, worsening symptoms like coughing, breathing difficulty, and exercise intolerance.

Sodium restriction is typically recommended at all stages of heart disease, though the degree of restriction varies:

• Stage B (structural heart disease, no symptoms): Moderate sodium restriction may be recommended
• Stage C (symptomatic heart failure): More significant sodium restriction alongside medications
• Stage D (refractory heart failure): Strict sodium restriction as part of aggressive management

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Dogs with kidney disease may have impaired sodium excretion. Moderate sodium restriction is part of most renal diet protocols, though the primary dietary focus in CKD is phosphorus restriction and moderate protein modification.

Hypertension

While less commonly diagnosed in dogs than in humans, canine hypertension does occur, often secondary to kidney disease or endocrine disorders. Sodium restriction may be part of the management plan alongside medication.

Liver Disease With Ascites

Dogs with advanced liver disease may develop ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen). Sodium restriction helps manage fluid retention in these cases.

Important: Do not put your dog on a low sodium diet without veterinary guidance. Unnecessary sodium restriction in a healthy dog can cause electrolyte imbalances and is not beneficial.

What Sodium Levels to Look For

Here is where it gets confusing: most dog foods do not list sodium content on the bag. You often need to call the manufacturer or check their website for detailed nutritional data.

Sodium Guidelines for Dogs

Most commercial dog foods contain 0.3-0.5% sodium on a dry matter basis. Prescription cardiac diets typically contain 0.08-0.15%.

How to Calculate Dry Matter Sodium

If a food lists sodium content on an as-fed basis (which includes moisture), you need to convert to dry matter for accurate comparison:

1. Subtract the moisture percentage from 100 to get dry matter percentage
2. Divide the as-fed sodium percentage by the dry matter percentage
3. Multiply by 100

Example: A wet food with 0.04% sodium and 78% moisture:

• Dry matter = 100 - 78 = 22%
• Dry matter sodium = (0.04 / 22) x 100 = 0.18%

This is why wet food can appear to have very low sodium on the label but actually has moderate sodium when you account for all the water.

Our Top Low Sodium Dog Food Picks

Prices last updated February 2026.

Best Prescription: Hill’s Prescription Diet h/d Heart Care

Hill’s h/d is the gold standard prescription cardiac diet, specifically formulated for dogs with heart disease. It is the most widely recommended cardiac diet by veterinary cardiologists.

Key ingredients: Pork liver, ground whole grain corn, pork fat, dried egg product, sugar

Guaranteed analysis: 18.5% protein, 22.5% fat (canned)

Sodium level: Approximately 0.08% (dry matter basis)

Why we recommend it:

• Specifically formulated for cardiac patients by veterinary nutritionists
• Added taurine and L-carnitine (important amino acids for heart muscle function)
• Very low sodium with controlled chloride levels
• Added EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids
• Available in both dry and canned formulas
• Clinically tested in dogs with heart disease

Note: Requires a veterinary prescription.

Best Prescription Alternative: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Cardiac

Royal Canin’s cardiac formula offers another well-researched prescription option with a different ingredient base than Hill’s.

Key ingredients: Brewers rice, chicken fat, dried plain beet pulp, pork meal, fish oil

Guaranteed analysis: 24% protein, 13% fat (dry)

Sodium level: Approximately 0.12% (dry matter basis)

Why we recommend it:

• Added taurine and L-carnitine
• EPA and DHA from fish oil for cardiac support
• Moderate protein to support muscle maintenance
• Available in dry formula
• Backed by Royal Canin’s extensive nutritional research

Note: Requires a veterinary prescription.

Best Over-the-Counter: Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric

While not marketed specifically as a cardiac diet, this formula happens to have moderate sodium levels and high digestibility, making it a reasonable option for dogs with early heart disease who do not yet need strict prescription diets.

Sodium level: Approximately 0.2% (dry matter basis)

Note: Discuss with your vet whether this level of sodium restriction is appropriate for your dog’s specific condition.

Best Wet Food: Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Savory Stew

For dogs who prefer wet food or need additional moisture in their diet, Hill’s senior stew formulas offer moderate sodium levels in a palatable format that many senior dogs with decreased appetite find appealing.

Why it works:

• Moderate sodium levels lower than most commercial wet foods
• Senior-specific formula with joint support
• High palatability for dogs with decreased appetite
• Available in multiple flavors

Best for Home Cooking: BalanceIT Formulated Recipes

For owners willing to home-cook under veterinary guidance, BalanceIT (a service run by board-certified veterinary nutritionists) can formulate custom low sodium recipes tailored to your dog’s specific cardiac condition, weight, and nutritional needs.

Why it works:

• Recipes individually formulated by veterinary nutritionists
• Sodium levels precisely controlled to your cardiologist’s specifications
• Uses fresh, whole ingredients you source and prepare
• Can be adjusted as your dog’s condition changes
• Includes a custom vitamin and mineral supplement to ensure completeness

Note: Home-cooked cardiac diets should only be formulated by or in consultation with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Do not attempt to design a low sodium diet on your own.

Hidden Sodium Sources to Watch

Managing a low sodium diet goes beyond choosing the right food. Several common items can add significant sodium to your dog’s daily intake:

High-Sodium Treats to Avoid

• Commercial jerky treats (often very high in sodium)
• Deli meats (turkey, ham, roast beef – all heavily salted)
• Cheese (particularly processed cheese)
• Hot dogs (extremely high in sodium)
• Canned vegetables (unless specifically “no salt added”)
• Bread and crackers (more sodium than you think)
• Peanut butter (some brands contain significant sodium; choose unsalted)

Low-Sodium Treat Alternatives

• Unsalted, plain cooked chicken breast (one of the lowest sodium protein sources)
• Fresh vegetables: carrots, green beans, cucumber
• Fresh fruits: blueberries, watermelon (seedless), banana slices
• Plain, cooked sweet potato
• Unsalted rice cakes (broken into small pieces)
• The dog’s own prescription kibble used as treats

Medications

Some medications contain sodium as an inactive ingredient. Chewable tablets and flavored medications may contain more sodium than you would expect. Ask your veterinarian or pharmacist about the sodium content of all medications your dog takes.

Nutritional Considerations Beyond Sodium

A cardiac diet is about more than just sodium restriction. Several other nutritional factors matter for dogs with heart disease:

Taurine and L-Carnitine

These amino acids play direct roles in heart muscle function. Taurine deficiency has been directly linked to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in certain breeds. L-carnitine supports fatty acid metabolism in the heart muscle. Most prescription cardiac diets include supplemental levels of both.

For more on the relationship between diet and DCM, see our grain-free dog food guide.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA and DHA)

Fish oil-derived omega-3 fatty acids have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-arrhythmic effects in dogs with heart disease. Many veterinary cardiologists recommend fish oil supplementation at therapeutic doses alongside a cardiac diet. The anti-inflammatory properties may help slow the progression of heart disease.

B Vitamins

Dogs on diuretics (common in CHF management) may excrete B vitamins at higher rates. B vitamin supplementation or a food enriched with B vitamins can help prevent deficiency.

Adequate Calories

One of the biggest challenges in managing canine heart disease is maintaining adequate body weight. CHF increases caloric needs (the struggling heart burns more energy), but many cardiac dogs have decreased appetites. Choosing a calorie-dense low sodium food helps ensure adequate intake.

This is where palatability becomes critical. A perfectly formulated cardiac diet does no good if the dog refuses to eat it. Warming the food slightly, adding warm water, or mixing in a small amount of low sodium broth can improve acceptance.

Working With Your Veterinary Team

Cardiac dietary management should be a collaboration between you, your primary care veterinarian, and ideally a veterinary cardiologist.

What to Ask Your Vet

• What specific sodium level should I target for my dog’s stage of disease?
• Are there any prescription diets you recommend, and why?
• Should I supplement taurine, L-carnitine, or fish oil, and at what doses?
• How often should we recheck blood work to monitor electrolytes?
• Are there any interactions between the diet and my dog’s medications?
• How should I handle treats and dental chews?

Monitoring

Dogs on cardiac diets should have regular monitoring:

• Blood work every 3-6 months (electrolytes, kidney values, BNP or cardiac biomarkers)
• Echocardiogram as recommended by your cardiologist
• Body weight tracked at least monthly
• Appetite and body condition assessed at every visit
• Breathing rate at rest monitored at home (normal is under 30 breaths per minute while sleeping)

The Emotional Side

Getting a heart disease diagnosis for your dog is hard. The dietary management can feel like one more thing to worry about on top of medications, monitoring, and the emotional weight of the diagnosis itself.

Here is what I want you to know: dietary management makes a real, measurable difference in quality of life for dogs with heart disease. The right food, combined with appropriate medications, can help your dog feel better, breathe easier, and maintain activity levels. It is one of the most impactful things you can do.

For a broader look at managing your aging dog’s health, our senior dog care guide covers the full picture, from mobility to cognitive health. And if cost of cardiac treatment is a concern, pet health insurance may help offset the ongoing expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just feed my dog less of their regular food instead of switching to a low sodium formula?

No. Reducing the amount of regular food reduces overall nutrition, not just sodium. Your dog would end up sodium-restricted but also protein-restricted, calorie-restricted, and potentially deficient in other nutrients. A properly formulated low sodium diet maintains appropriate levels of everything else while specifically controlling sodium.

Is low sodium food necessary for all senior dogs?

No. Low sodium diets are only necessary for dogs with diagnosed heart disease, kidney disease, or other conditions where sodium management is medically indicated. Healthy senior dogs do not need sodium restriction. See our senior dog food guide for general senior nutrition recommendations.

How quickly will I see improvement after switching to a low sodium diet?

It depends on the severity of the disease and whether the diet is combined with appropriate medications. Some owners report improved breathing and reduced coughing within 1-2 weeks. Others see gradual improvement over 4-6 weeks. The diet works in conjunction with medications, not as a standalone treatment.

Can I make low sodium dog food at home?

Yes, but only under the guidance of a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Home-cooked cardiac diets can be precisely tailored to your dog’s needs, but getting the balance right – sodium, potassium, magnesium, protein, calories, and micronutrients – requires professional expertise. Services like BalanceIT can formulate a custom recipe with a tailored supplement.

My dog will not eat the prescription cardiac food. What should I do?

This is a common challenge. Try warming the food, adding warm water or low-sodium broth, or mixing a small amount of an appealing low-sodium topping (like plain cooked chicken breast). If your dog still refuses, talk to your vet about alternative prescription options or a home-cooked formulation. Some dogs accept one brand’s cardiac diet over another, so trying a different manufacturer is worth exploring.

This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Heart disease, kidney disease, and other conditions requiring sodium restriction must be managed under veterinary supervision. Never change your dog’s diet or medications without consulting your veterinarian.