Can dogs eat it?
Can dogs eat soy sauce?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Soy sauce is extremely salty and should not be given to dogs. One tablespoon contains roughly 900 mg of sodium, and a dog that drinks from a bottle or licks a spilled dish can take in enough salt to become seriously ill. A drop on a piece of food is unlikely to cause harm, but keep bottles and sachets away from your dog.
How salty it really is
Regular soy sauce contains around 900 mg of sodium per tablespoon, and even reduced-salt versions contain about 500 mg. For a small dog of 5 kg (11 lb), even a small amount is a lot of salt, and the risk grows with every lap. Large salt intakes can cause vomiting, extreme thirst, wobbliness, tremors, and seizures.
Tamari, teriyaki sauce, and fish sauce are similarly salty.
Dishes with soy sauce
Stir-fries, fried rice, marinated meats, sushi, and noodle dishes often use soy sauce generously. Many of these also include garlic, spring onion, and ginger. Teriyaki sauce adds sugar. Plain rice or plain cooked meat without sauce is a better thing to share.
Sushi takeaways come with small plastic fish-shaped soy sauce bottles that dogs can chew and swallow.
After a spill
If your dog lapped up spilled soy sauce, estimate how much was lost and note your dog's weight. Make fresh water available and do not try to make your dog vomit. Call your vet for advice straight away, especially for small dogs, rather than waiting to see what happens.
Clean up spills fully, since dogs will return to lick the floor.
Storage
Keep soy sauce bottles in cupboards rather than on low shelves, and put takeaway sachets straight in the bin. When cooking Asian dishes at home, set aside a small plain portion of meat or rice before adding sauces. Dogs with heart or kidney problems should avoid salty foods entirely.
Key takeaways
- Soy sauce contains about 900 mg of sodium per tablespoon.
- Large amounts can cause salt poisoning.
- Stir-fries and marinated dishes often add garlic and onion.
- Small plastic sauce bottles from takeaways can be swallowed.