Can dogs eat soy sauce?
The full picture
Soy sauce is one of the saltiest common kitchen ingredients — around 900 mg of sodium per tablespoon. A single tablespoon can cause symptoms of salt toxicity in a small dog, and larger amounts can be genuinely dangerous. Asian takeaways often contain enough soy sauce to cause issues. A few drops licked from a plate probably isn't an emergency, but make fresh water available and monitor. Low-sodium soy sauce is still salty enough to be problematic. Tamari, oyster sauce, teriyaki sauce, and fish sauce all have the same warning.
If your dog has already eaten soy sauce
Risks to watch for
- Salt poisoning
- Excessive thirst and urination
- Tremors and seizures in severe cases
- Kidney strain
Safe portion size
None.
Safer alternatives
- Plain cooked meat
Important: This page is general information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different, and individual factors (age, breed, health conditions, medications) can change what's safe. If in doubt, always contact your vet — or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 in the UK.