What are the symptoms of salt deficiency in animals?

  • Rough coats
  • Decreased performance
  • Unusual eating habits like consuming dirt or chewing on tool handles, trees, board fences or another animal’s mane or tail.
  • In poultry, an increase in pecking behavior, feather eating, general flock nervousness, and/or reduced egg production.

Can horses overconsume salt?

Unless a horse has been salt-starved, they will normally not overconsume salt. For those horses that are salt-deprived, they will consume salt in excess for a few days until their body is balanced again. Make sure during this time, horses have an adequate supply of water.

How much salt does my horse need?

Under normal conditions, horses require 2 ounces of salt per head per day. Under hot and humid conditions or with an increase in exercise, horses may require 4-6 ounces of salt per head per day. Lack of salt during heavy exercise can contribute to performance and health problems. Horses must also consume adequate water when they are consuming the extra salt.

Why feed trace minerals with salt to animals?

Salt is one of the few minerals that animals will seek out in their natural environment. There are seven trace minerals essential in feed: iron, copper, zinc, manganese, cobalt, iodine, and selenium. Since livestock have a natural appetite for salt, but not for trace minerals, this makes salt an ideal medium to deliver these vital minerals.

Is water softener salt harmful to animals?

Water softening salts are not intended for human or animal feeding.  For some animals, particles may be too large and cause choking issues.  In addition, some water softening salts may have additives that are inappropriate for animal feeds.

How does sodium deprivation occur in animals?

Sodium deprivation can be precipitated by dietary, climatic and disease factors and occurs under the following conditions:

  • Rapidly growing animals given cereal-based diets that are inherently low in sodium
  • Animals grazing pastures on soils naturally low in sodium
  • Animals grazing pastures heavily fertilized with potassium
  • Lactating animals, particularly cows, secreting large amounts of sodium in mild climates
  • Tropical or hot, semi-arid climates, causing large losses of water and sodium in sweat
  • Heavy or intense physical work that causes profuse sweating
  • Animals with gut infections that cause diarrhea

When one or more of these conditions exist continuously for long periods and extra salt is not provided, sodium deprivation is inevitable.