It is a macroelement and the main negative ion of extracellular fluids. It works closely with sodium and potassium, ensuring cell hydration (appropriate osmotic pressure) and maintaining the proper acid-base balance of the blood. It is the main building block of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach [1].
What it contains: Muscle meat, blood plasma (dried hemoglobin) or table/sea salt, in smaller amounts eggs and offal [1].
Shortage: Extremely rare. It is usually the result of persistent vomiting, during which the animal “pours out” hydrochloric acid and with it gigantic amounts of chloride. This leads to the so-called metabolic alkalosis (blood becomes too alkaline) - the animal becomes lethargic, apathetic, has shallow breathing and muscle tremors [2].
Excess: Since chloride in the diet is most often found in combination with sodium, it is subject to the same reservations as sodium: healthy animals with access to water tolerate a wide range of its supply, and the real threat is only acute salt poisoning - with a single large dose or lack of water (extreme thirst, vomiting, metabolic acidosis, neurological disorders) [3].
Sources
- National Research Council (2006). Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. National Academies Press. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/10668/nutrient-requirements-of-dogs-and-cats
- Ha YS, Hopper K, Epstein SE (2013). Incidence, Nature, and Etiology of Metabolic Alkalosis in Dogs and Cats. JVIM 27(4):847-53. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23751002/
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/nutrition-small-animals/nutritional-requirements-of-small-animals