Absolutely! Fish oil is frequently implemented as a healthy additive for dogs that need more nutrients beyond the daily menu. Sardines, instead of fish oil for dogs, give a great boost to support your dog every day and balance a positive diet.
Sardines are incredibly nutritious. There are little risks of feeding your dog with them, but they are mainly related to where the sardines come from and their storage, they are as healthy as other types of fish. We are going to briefly explain the pros and cons of them, as well as an approximate frequency to provide them for your dog.
Benefits of feeding your dog with sardines
As we mentioned before, sardines are rich in nutrients. The most important ones that will have great effects on your dog are:
- Vitamin D
- Amino acids
- Omega-3
- Vitamin B12
- Coenzyme Q10
But the important part for all dog owners is to clearly understand the benefits that these nutrients will provide for your dog. When they are together, they produce the following effects:
- They will help with connective tissue and muscle development.
- The protects the kidneys from developing a kidney disease
- They are a great source of proteins.
- They keep the immune system in a great shape through the formation of antibodies.
- They can avoid dental disease due to the balance of the nutrients.
Cons of feeding sardines to your dog
The main risks related to feeding a dog with sardines are pretty much the same as feeding him/her with other types of fish. Humans also take these risks while eating them:
- The wrong fish can produce health problems.
- Fish sometimes contains mercury.
- Fish could have dangerous bones in it.
However, these risks are more unlikely with sardines than with other fish. They are relatively small in the sea/ocean world, and their life cycle makes it difficult to have amounts of mercury in them. Furthermore, they are soft-boned, with decreases the dangers for the dogs to digest, although it is still recommendable to take out the bones before giving it to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Sardines?
Yes! And we know that canned sardines are relatively easy to provide to dogs, just as normal wed food for pets. There are some sardines more recommendable for dogs, including:
- Wild caught
- Salt-free
- Packed in water.
You should avoid the canned sardines that are packed in:
- Corn oil
- Ketchup
- Soy oil
- Safflower oil
- Sunflower oil
- Other omega-6 rich oils
Frequency and amounts of sardines for dogs
Just like humans, any excess of food can make your dog sick. You should patiently introduce sardines to dogs in small amounts to avoid a stomach upset. You must remember that in order to see the great effects of sardines, you do not need to feed your dog every day with them. Instead, it is recommendable to give him/her sardines twice a week. As you will be adding more calories, you must lower the amounts of other types of daily foods that your dog is receiving to balance their calorie intake. You could consult your veterinarian to determine the best amount of sardines based on your dog’s weight.
Adding sardine oil to your dog’s diet
Your dog will love the taste and you’ll see remarkable health benefits within just a few weeks. Iceland Pure offers all-natural fish oil products for pets, including, a sardine anchovy oil for dogs that is wild-caught, pharmaceutical human grade, unscented and comes in a BPA-free safe aluminum container. Learn more about our fish oils here.