Instant ramen
CautionThe noodles are not the problem, the flavor packet is. One package delivers sodium, concentrated onion and garlic powder, and the fat from fried noodles at once, and a small dog that licked the dry seasoning needs a call to the vet now.
This food guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian. It summarises general information from sources and should not be used to decide whether a food is suitable for an individual dog or to assess an emergency.
Check before feeding
Check the precautions before sharing
Risk depends on preparation, ingredients or amount. Read the precautions below; body weight alone cannot establish a safe portion.
Signs and health concerns
This list includes both observable signs and conditions identified through examination or testing. It cannot establish the cause or whether an exposure is safe.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Increased thirst
- Increased urine volume
- Abdominal pain
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Pale gums or mucous membranes
- Haemoglobin in urine
- Poor coordination or balance
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Pancreatitis
More about this food
Instant ramen loads a dog with three problems in one bowl: sodium, onion and garlic powder, and fat from the fried noodle block.
Start with sodium. A package of instant ramen typically carries 1,500-1,900 mg of sodium, roughly 4-5 grams of salt. Merck puts the canine toxic dose of sodium chloride at 2-3 g/kg with an acute lethal dose around 4 g/kg, so on arithmetic alone a 10 lb dog would need two or three packages' worth of salt to reach the toxic range. A few licks of broth will not cause salt poisoning. It will still blow past a day's sodium, and for a dog on a cardiac or renal low-sodium diet a single episode matters. One rule is non-negotiable: never restrict water after a salty meal. Leave fresh water freely available.
The seasoning packet is the bigger concern. Merck states that Allium toxicosis in dogs is most commonly associated with concentrated forms such as dehydrated flakes, powders and dry onion soup mixes, and that garlic is three to five times more toxic than onion. These oxidize red blood cells into Heinz bodies and cause hemolytic anemia, and the hemolysis typically shows up three to five days after ingestion rather than the same evening. Watch for lethargy, loss of appetite, fast breathing and heart rate, weakness, pale or yellow gums, and red-brown urine. The absolute amount of powder in one packet falls short of a hemolytic dose for a large dog, but a small dog that licks up a spilled seasoning packet, or one that gets ramen broth over rice repeatedly, is a different situation.
Finally, fat and heat. A fried noodle block carries about 15 grams of fat, making this a high-fat meal and a recognized pancreatitis trigger. Spicy varieties add capsaicin, which irritates the mouth and gut and produces drooling, vomiting and diarrhea.
Work out what actually went down: noodles only, broth as well, or dry seasoning straight from the packet. Then call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Keep the water bowl full but do not force water. Wobbling, head-pressing, tremors, seizures, or dramatic thirst and urination mean an emergency clinic right away, and keep watching for lethargy and pale gums over the next three to five days. Do not induce vomiting at home.
Frequently asked questions
- My dog licked some ramen broth. Is that dangerous?
- A few licks will not cause salt poisoning. Leave plenty of fresh water out and watch. Because the broth carries onion and garlic powder, keep an eye out over the next three to five days for lethargy, pale gums or red-brown urine.
- Can I give just the noodles without the soup?
- Better not. The noodles have absorbed the broth, and the fried block itself is high in fat and sodium. If you want to share noodles, boil plain unsalted pasta or noodles separately and give a very small amount.
- He got into a dry seasoning packet. What now?
- That is the worst version of this. The powder is concentrated onion and garlic plus the full sodium load. Bring the packet, call your vet or the APCC at (888) 426-4435 now, leave water available, and do not make him vomit.