Abstract
Adult mixed-breed dogs (n＝5) and cats (n＝4) with normal renal function were fed low-sodium and high-sodium diets while being provided with free access to water, and blood pressure and water intake were examined. When the animals were fed a high-sodium diet after acclimation to a low-sodium diet, water intake increased significantly in both dogs and cats and then decreased significantly when the low-sodium diet was reinstituted (P ＜0.05). Blood pressure showed no significant change in either animal group throughout the study period, except that one dog showed increases in overall blood pressure levels by ＞10% during the high-salt diet. These results indicate that a short-term high-sodium diet has no effect on blood pressure in dogs and cats with normal renal function provided free access to water is provided.
