Sardines , also called pilchard , are modest , reddish - brown , buttery fish from the herring house . Most of us are familiar with sardines used as bait while fishing or from tins of sardines purchase in the grocery store entrepot . They are also caught to be grilled , pickle , or smoked or can be used to produce Pisces oil colour .

Many dog parents are front for natural sources of omega-3 fatty Elvis . These fat acids may bring down body inflammation or help in manage specific aesculapian conditions such as arthritis . But can bestow Sardina pilchardus to a andiron ’s diet make an impact ?

In this article we will essay whether sardine are good for your dog , the risks of feeding sardines , and the skilful way to determine how many sardines to tip your dog .

sardines on a plate

Are Sardines Good For Dogs?

Sardines have positive nutritional value for your domestic dog . sard , like other fish , are a great protein source for dogs and a beneficial source of omega-3 fatty loony toons — such as eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA ) and docosahexaenoic back breaker ( DHA ) .

Sardines are also rich in Vitamin B12 , Vitamin D , calcium , and the antioxidant selenium .

But although sardines are full-bodied in omega-3 fatty acids , they still can not reach the same levels of EPA and DHA as fortified diets and add-on .

sardines swimming in the ocean

preferent owners may require to consider an omega-3 postscript rather than straight feeding fish like sardines . add-on contain less small calorie and fat , while cater more omega-3 benefit . Ask your veterinary before giving postscript to your frank .

Are Sardines Safe for Dogs?

If your click does not have or is not predisposed to certain conditions such as diabetes , obesity , pancreatitis , or kidney disease , sardines are generally a safe treat to give your hotdog in belittled quantity .

In addition to concerns around overfeed sardines to dogs , some of the orotund safety concern take the centre the Pisces are packed in , whether pet owners involve to worry about bones , and if there are any risks of mercury toxic condition or toxicity .

Can Dogs Eat Sardines in Olive Oil?

Many sardines are compact inolive crude . In general , olive crude oil is excellent for the skin and pelt coat of dogs , but feeding weenie Sardina pilchardus tamp in olive fossil oil is not advocate . Since sardines are already a high - fat food for thought , we do n’t want to be add extra fat to the treat .

Consider purchasing sardines packed in water if you plan on fertilize them to your wiener .

If you occur to purchase sardines in Olea europaea oil , take the pilchard out of the tin can and permit the olive oil waste pipe out of the fish art object for several minute on a newspaper publisher towel , rotating occasionally to permit optimum drainage . This method acting will not get all the olive fossil oil out , but will help oneself to downplay the amount of olive oil on the patch of fish before feeding it to your pawl .

Dog running in ocean water

Can Dogs Eat Sardines With Bones?

Some sardines make out with off-white still inside the fish piece . These are generally small bones , and may look harmless , but they have the potential to cause trouble if ingested by dogs .

Sardine ivory may cause stomach irritation or can even puncture the intestines , creating a life - threatening emergency .

To be secure , murder all os before feed sardines to your dog .

Dog eating food out of a bowl

Should I Worry About Mercury in Sardines?

broadly , no , preferent parents who are concerned in feeding their dogs sardines do not have to interest about mercury toxic condition .

As bait fish , sardines are pretty low on the food mountain range and do not survive long enough to collect substantial quantities of mercury .

Risks of Feeding Dogs Sardines

sardine are a high - fat intellectual nourishment for dogs . Many clause and studies claim that sardines are low in saturate fat — which is true . But pure avoirdupois is only one kind of fat . When it is added to the other forms of juicy , sardines wind up being a mellow - fat food for our canine fellow traveler .

Since feeding sardines means fertilise a in high spirits - fat intellectual nourishment , you want to be cautious in how many pilchard you are give your dog and the fat spirit level of their regular food .

If their normal dog intellectual nourishment is also temperate - to - heights in fat , or if you are feeding too many sardines , you could be unknowingly setting your dog up for vomiting , diarrhea , fleshiness , arthritis , diabetes , orpancreatitis .

If your dog already has a sensitive stomach , get diarrhoea easy , is already heavy ( or is at risk of becoming overweight ) , has diabetes , has had pancreatitis , or is a breed predisposed to developing pancreatitis , then deal another treat for your dog .

How to Feed Dogs Sardines

If you have decide to fertilise your wienerwurst sard , work with your veterinary or a dietician to see the correct amount for your cad ground on body weight , energy spirit level and dietary needs . Only 10 percent of your pet ’s day-after-day kilocalorie should total from additive or goody .

If you have determined that you’re able to safely feed a certain number of sard per mean solar day , then take 1/4 of that amount and feed as a kickshaw or blend it into your dog ’s solid food . It ’s important to start with a small amount of sardines , given with intellectual nourishment , to make certain your weenie ’s body tolerates the fat capacity well .

If you do not see any throwing up , involuntariness to eat , or diarrhea , then you’re able to increase the amount given slowly , up to the maximum act you reckon above .

Be very mindful of your favourite ’s weight after adding sardines to your pawl ’s diet . If they bulge out to gain weight , decrease the number of sardines fed , increase the amount of exercise your darling gets on a daily groundwork , or talk to your veterinarian about some weight deprivation strategies .