If you’re a fan of ramen noodles and wondering whether you can share a bowl with your dog, sorry, but no. Instant ramen and authentic ramen are bad for dogs.
While ramen is not immediately toxic to dogs when ingested, most of its components are neither healthy nor safe for them to consume, especially long-term and in large amounts.
In this article, we’re breaking down why you shouldn’t feed your dog ramen and what to do if they accidentally consume it.
Why Instant Ramen Is Bad for Dogs
Instant ramen is classic comfort food. It’s cheap, comes in countless delicious flavors, and is ready in minutes. Unfortunately, ramen is not just unhealthy for humans but for dogs, too1. Here are the main reasons why instant ramen is unhealthy for dogs:
High Levels of Sodium
Ever wonder why instant ramen tastes so good for such an inexpensive meal? It is because it’s packed with sodium. For instance, this popular instant ramen brand contains 830 mg of sodium per serving.
In case you didn’t know, there are often TWO servings in ONE packet of instant ramen. So in just one packet, you’re consuming 1,660 mg of sodium—over half of the recommended daily amount for humans.
While dogs need sodium in their diet to maintain their fluid balance and regulate nerve and muscle function, they need very little of it.
Dogs should have a maximum of 15 mg of sodium per kilogram of body weight. For a 6.5-pound Chihuahua, that’s just 45 mg of sodium a day. A 65-pound Labrador should only have 450 mg a day—ideally, much less. Most dog food brands already include the proper amount of sodium, so there’s no need to give them any outside of their regular kibble.
Eating instant ramen would put your pup way over their daily sodium allowance. Too much salt can lead to serious health issues like dehydration, heart problems, electrolyte imbalances, and vomiting. In severe cases, it can lead to hypernatremia in dogs, a life-threatening condition caused by a high concentration of sodium in the bloodstream.
Unsafe Seasonings
The seasonings added to instant ramen are also bad for your pup. Most of these seasonings contain high amounts of MSG, garlic, and onion—all of which can be toxic to dogs.
The MSG component is especially concerning, as it has been linked to neurological issues in dogs. Ingesting a significant amount of MSG can cause excessive excitement, restlessness, depression, disorientation, and convulsions in dogs.
Some ramen varieties also contain seasoning oils. These oils can upset your pup’s digestion, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.
Unhealthy Carbs & Empty Calories
Instant ramen may be filling, but it’s definitely not a health food. The noodle blocks are usually made of refined flour, salt, and oil. Dehydrating the noodles (to make them “instant” and give them a longer shelf life) involves frying them in oil and removing the moisture. This causes the calorie content to skyrocket and also makes it difficult for your pup to digest them.
The carbs in ramen noodles are also unhealthy. Refined flours have been stripped of most of their fiber and nutrient content. Consuming too many of these unhealthy carbs can lead to weight gain and other health problems in dogs.
This is why it’s bad for dogs to eat plain or raw ramen as well.
Allergy Trigger
There are tons of potential allergens in instant ramen, such as soy and wheat. If your pup is sensitive to these ingredients, eating just a small amount can lead to stomach issues, skin reactions, and in severe unusual cases, even anaphylaxis.
How About Authentic Ramen?
Authentic ramen (the kind you can get in Japanese restaurants) has better flavor and uses higher-quality ingredients. Still, keep this human food to yourself.
That amazing ramen broth is too salty, fatty, and rich for dogs. Similar to instant ramen flavoring, it also contains ingredients that are toxic to dogs like onions and garlic. And while the noodles are certainly fresher, they’re made with the same basic ingredients that dogs shouldn’t eat: wheat flour, oil, water, salt, and a quick dip in alkaline water to give it that signature chewiness.
My Dog Accidentally Ate Ramen! What Should I Do?
Ramen is terribly unhealthy for dogs, but it’s not the end of the world if they eat a bit. If your dog is otherwise healthy, they’re likely not going to suffer any ill effects.
At most, they may have diarrhea and become extra thirsty due to the saltiness of ramen. Simply observe them for signs of distress like lethargy, vomiting, allergic reactions, or appetite loss. If their symptoms persist or worsen, contact your vet right away.
Beyond that, just make sure to keep the bowl away from their reach next time.
Conclusion
Ramen can be a convenient snack or meal to have around the house, but it doesn’t belong in your dog’s diet. From the insane salt content to the potential allergens, unsafe seasonings, and generally unhealthy ingredients, it’s just bad news all around for your pup.
Accidents do happen, so if your crafty canine does manage to slurp down some ramen, watch out for any negative effects. But in general, you’ve got nothing to worry about, and just remember to be more vigilant next time you enjoy a bowl.
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