One of the things that many different pet owners love to do is sharing their food with their beloved dogs. However, keep in mind that there are some human foods that dogs just can’t handle. So the first thing that comes into mind when planning to introduce your dogs to a new diet is good for them. And the same goes for sardines.
So, are sardines good for dogs with allergies? Yes, they are. Sardines contain a lot of nutrients that can help improve your dog’s health. They are not only suitable for dogs with allergies but for all dogs in general. As long as they are not directly allergic to fish itself, then there is nothing wrong with giving your dog sardines from time to time.
Sardines may not be the first thing that comes into mind when we think about what human foods could be suitable for your dogs. However, this does not deny the fact that they can be healthy for you. And for those who are conscious about their diets, this is certainly one of the things included in their diet.
Let’s find out together below what are the different things your dogs can get from eating sardines and everything else you need to know about them.
Are sardines great for your dogs?
To answer this question, yes, sardines are indeed good for your canine partners. And they are not only suitable for dogs generally, but as well as for dogs with allergies. And allow us to tell you why.
Fish is a good and healthy source of protein for your dogs. According to the Animal Kennel Club (AKC), they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can provide your dogs with some health benefits such as decreased inflammation and the like. They are also good alternatives for your dogs that are allergic to more common ingredients such as chicken.
This means that they are generally safe for your dog’s consumption and that they are indeed a good source of essential nutrients for the dogs. Good enough to the point that they can even serve as alternatives to typical dog diets such as chicken, meat, and beef.
Benefits of giving sardines to your dogs
Now we know that sardines are great for your dogs. It is now time to find out in great detail what exactly are the different benefits that your dogs can enjoy from eating sardines. By doing so, one can better understand how exactly sardines can positively impact your dog’s health. Without further ado, here are the different benefits you can get by including sardines in your dog’s diet.
🐶Great for your dog’s skin and coat
As previously mentioned, sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. There are many benefits these acids give to your dogs. And one of these is the fact that omega-3 helps in maintaining your dog’s skin and coat healthy and shiny.
They do this by reducing any inflammations on your dog’s skin and minimizing any itching that may be caused by your dog’s allergies and other factors.
🐶Great for your dog’s mobility
As we grow older, we are prone to getting different health-related problems which can generally affect our lifestyles. And the same can be said as accurate for your dogs. Many dogs often suffer from hip-and-joint-related issues resulting in their movement being limited due to the pain it brings.
Usually, these hip-and-joint-related issues are caused by the inflammation present in your dog’s joints. Since sardines have omega-3 fatty acids, they can help reduce inflammation in the joints allowing your dogs to move much easier without suffering from the pain.
Besides that, they also strengthen your dog’s calcium and phosphorus, both of which are essential minerals that support your dog’s skeletal structure.
🐶Beneficial for your dog’s cognitive and retinal functions.’
Another great benefit your dogs can get from sardines is DHA. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that helps improve your furry partner’s cognitive and eye functions. This is a required nutrient for all kinds of dogs, most especially for puppies and older dogs.
By including DHA in your dog’s diet, you can better support your dog’s growth and reduce your dog’s different signs of aging —making them a whole lot healthier and active.
🐶Maintains your dog’s heart functions
Another nutrient that sardines have to offer for your dogs is Ubiquinol (or coenzyme q10). This is an antioxidant that is mainly present in your dog’s cells. By giving your dog sardines, you can boost these antioxidants improving your dog’s heart functions. This is a beneficial thing, most especially for pups that are born with congenital issues.
🐶Good for your dog’s overall health
Lastly, sardines can do a lot in improving your dog’s health generally. This is possible as sardines contain a lot of proteins. This means that they have all the necessary amino acids that your dogs need to stay healthy. They improve your dog’s overall health as amino acids aid your dogs in many different ways, such as in improving digestion and organ functions.
Risks you should consider when giving your dog sardines
Fish is generally not harmful to your dogs. In fact, they are even good for your dog’s health. However, this does not change the fact that it can cause long-term health issues for your dogs if served carelessly. So what exactly are the different risks you should remember when feeding your dog sardines?
First and foremost, you need to be mindful of how the sardines are prepared. Serving them raw is never recommended. You put your dogs at risk of getting harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Listeria. This is problematic as this can not only make your dog sick, but it can also infect your family’s health.
It is best to have those sardines cooked before you share them with your beloved canine partners. When cooking and preparing the fish, do not use too much oil to cause gastrointestinal problems for your furry partners. Use moderate amounts of oil instead, and do not use many seasonings such as garlic when preparing them.
Another thing you should be wary of is how much sardines you are giving your dogs. This is because sardines can be somewhat considered as a high-fat food source for your dogs.
Feeding your dogs too many sardines may result in many health-related issues for your dogs, such as obesity, diabetes, diarrhea, pancreatitis, and many more. So if your dogs are already fat as is or already have any of these issues existing, then you should probably consider alternative treats for your dogs.
How many sardines should you be feeding your dogs?
Sardines are rich in nutrients and calories, so even a tiny amount can go a long way for your canine partners. With just a can of sardines, you can get approximately 25 calories worth of fat and protein. And this is exactly why too many sardines provided to your dogs can result in weight gain and digestive issues.
But how do you know precisely the right amount of sardines you should share with your canine dogs?
There really is no clear standard for this, but as per the whole dog journal, here are some guidelines that can get you started. This guideline is weight-based which means that the amount of sardines you should provide for your dogs is directly proportional to their weight. Please see the approach below:
| Dog’s Weight | Served Proportions (based on a 3.750z can of sardines) |
| < 5lbs | ¼ can of sardines |
| < 15lbs | ½ can of sardines |
| < 25lbs | ⅝ can of sardines |
| < 50lbs | 1 can of sardines |
| < 100lbs | 1 ¾ can of sardines |
Still keep in mind that you should not limit your dog’s diet on just sardines.
Remember, your dogs need other nutrients as well, so be creative in deciding what you want to feed your dogs.
If sardines are new to your dog’s diet, make sure to start in smaller amounts and allow your pets to adjust. And then, from there, slowly work your way up.
Conclusion
Overall, sardines do not pose a lot of danger for your canine partners. They offer a lot of benefits for your dogs, after all.
As long as controlled and served in moderate amounts, your dogs will stand to benefit from having sardines included in their primary diet.
So, are sardines good for your allergic dogs? Well, yes, indeed they are. This is true not only to your allergic dogs but to all your dogs in general. They contain a lot of nutrients and protein, after all which can help support your dog’s health.
Keep in mind all the things we’ve discussed above, and you should do fine.
If you are unsure regarding the right amount of sardines you should include in your dog’s main diet, then make sure to consult your veterinarian or a nutritionist to help you out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can dogs eat sardines in tomato sauce?
A: Dog’s can eat sardines in tomato sauce. However, it is not recommended. Sardines may actually be good for dogs but tomato sauce can be bad for dogs if not given in moderation. If you are to give your dogs sardines in tomato sauce, be sure to give them it in very small quantities depending on the dogs size.
