Salt Gear

Why Animals Lick Salt Licks But Humans Shouldn’t

cows licking a mineral salt lick

Have you ever wondered why animals lick salt licks? While it’s a common behavior among many species, it’s not something humans should be doing. Salt licks provide an essential source of minerals to animals that cannot get them from their normal diet, but for humans, the risks far outweigh any potential benefits.

In this blog post, I’ll explore why animals lick salt licks and why humans shouldn’t follow suit. We’ll also look at some healthy alternatives that can help us meet our mineral needs without putting our health in danger.

So if you’re curious about why animals enjoy licking salt licks yet humans shouldn’t…continue reading!

cow licking a salt lick
Cow Licking a Salt Lick

Why Use Salt Licks? Or Not?

Farmers and ranchers may use different types of salt licks for their livestock. They make this decision knowing the overall composition of the animals diet and with their nutrition requirements in mind.

Wildlife management experts sometime also use mineral licks with certain populations of wild animals when they have scientific or data based knowledge that these populations are lacking natural sources for nutrients. That being said, the use of salt licks with wild animals has been known to spread disease, so wildlife managers are very careful in using them only when needed. If you’d like to know more, see this article Mineral Licks: Evaluating Their Role in Disease Transmission.

Wildlife experts discourage individuals from adding salt licks to their outdoor areas, and often this is backed up by state laws and regulations. While it might seem nice to invite deer to your backyard, in the Mountain West, consider that where deer congregate, so do mountain lions. Other wild animals might also be attracted that you did not intend, such as raccoons and skunks.

Wait! Did you say Mountain Lions?

Let me preface this by saying that this is an anecdote – not information from a scientific study. I lived in the mountains of Colorado for 21 years. We had a wide variety of wildlife in the area, including predators like Foxes, Bears and Mountain Lions. Our neighbors thought it was a good idea to always have a salt lick behind their house – this was in a natural corridor for wild animals to traverse as it ran along an arroyo.

While animal experts say that most mammals have a taste for salt, the bears did not seem to be very interested in the salt lick. There were often deer around the lick, and I suppose that was what the neighbors were going for. The resident female mountain lion had a den just a little way up the mountain from the salt lick. She was well fed. I have no clue of whether she also sampled the salt lick.

Can Humans Lick Salt Licks?

Humans can technically lick salt licks, but it is not a necessary or healthy behavior. Salt licks are typically used by animals that live in areas where natural salt sources are scarce, such as deer, horses, and cows. 

These animals will lick the salt lick to supplement their mineral intake, as salt contains essential minerals like sodium and chloride that are necessary for their survival.

Humans should be mindful of the amount of salt they consume, as a heightened sodium intake can result in health problems such as high blood pressure and an elevated risk for heart disease or stroke.

According to the American Heart Association, adults ought to restrict their daily consumption of sodium up to 2,300 milligrams; ideally no more than 1,500 milligrams per day. Keep in mind that one lick from a salt lick usually contains much higher amounts than this recommendation.

Humans can gain all the essential minerals, such as sodium and chloride, from a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. There is no added benefit to licking a salt lick; in fact, it may even be detrimental to health.
On a related note, if you are curious about licking that Himalayan salt lamp you may have sitting on a shelf in your home there is an entire article on that, check it out here!

Are There Any Nutritional Benefits To Humans From Licking Salt Licks?

Although many animals rely on salt licks to nourish their bodies, humans do not gain any benefit from licking them. It is unhealthy for humans to consume too much sodium as this can cause high blood pressure and increase the likelihood of heart disease or stroke.

salty food snacks

Humans have unlimited access to both natural and man-made food sources that are jam-packed with essential minerals and nutrients. There is just no reason for humans to consume salt licks – maybe just go have a salty snack instead.

Is A Salt Lick Just Salt?

A salt lick is typically made of compressed salt, sometimes mixed with other minerals and trace elements that are essential for the health and well-being of animals. While salt is the main ingredient, salt licks can also contain other minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.

The composition of salt licks can vary depending on the intended use and the specific animal it is intended for. For example, a salt lick for deer may contain different minerals than a salt lick for horses. Additionally, some salt licks may be formulated to provide specific nutrients for certain animals with specific dietary needs, such as pregnant or lactating animals.

Salt licks come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and forms ranging from blocks to granules and pellets. Blocks are the most popular form of a salt lick as they can easily be placed on the ground where animals naturally gather. These blocks boast a unique combination of compressed salt alongside other minerals and trace elements for added nutrition, with many also treated with mineral oil so that their shape is preserved through adverse weather conditions.

What Is A Mineral Block And How Does It Compare To A Salt Lick Or Salt Block?

Mineral blocks are a feed supplement formulated to provide essential minerals and trace elements that are necessary for optimal health in animals. Whether you’re tending to a pregnant or lactating animal, these blocks can be tailored specifically to meet their personal dietary requirements.

Utilizing mineral supplements can enhance the overall diet of cattle, horses and other animals that may not be receiving a balanced nutritional intake. This is especially true when these creatures are unable to access their required nutrients naturally or require additional minerals in their diets. They should be used only with an understanding of an animals complete diet and with consultation with animal husbandry experts.

Do Salt Licks Go Bad?

In general, salt licks do not “go bad” in the sense that they spoil or become unsafe for consumption. However, they can become less effective over time as they weather and erode. In addition, if they become contaminated with dirt or other debris, they may not be as appealing to animals and may not provide the same nutritional benefits.

Rain, Snow and Salt Licks

Salt blocks can melt in rain or wet conditions, but will usually do so at a slow rate because they are highly compacted. The salt and minierals used in salt licks vary in their level of solubility, so some types may take longer to dissolve than others. Some salt licks are designed with special binders which help them stay intact and prevent their dissolution in wet environments.

In addition to rain, salt licks can also dissolve when exposed to high humidity or snow. In areas with a lot of rainfall, the salts may be more vulnerable to erosion over time due to their natural solubility.

big horn sheep licking salt from road

Even if a salt lick dissolves in the rain, its minerals will remain in the area. Animals may still be able to ingest these elements by licking rocks, plants, or soil.

Will a Salt Lick Kill the Grass?

Yes.

As the salt lick dissolves and the salt concentration increased in the area underneath it, it will affect the vegetation underneath. Some plants are more tolerant of higher salt levels, but eventually a high enough concentration of salt will harm nearby plants. If the ground slopes, the damage will naturally happen in that direction.