Can Dogs Eat Sardines? Yes: Safe Amount by Weight

Safe

Yes, dogs can eat sardines!

Sardines are one of the best fish for dogs: small, low in mercury and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Choose sardines canned in water with no added salt, or fresh cooked sardines.

Sardines for dogs at a glance

Can dogs eat it?	Safe
Calories	About 25 kcal per sardine (canned in water)
Main benefit	Rich in omega-3s (EPA and DHA) for skin, coat and joints
Main risk	Sardines in oil add extra calories and fat
Puppies?	In tiny amounts once on solid food; puppies have sensitive stomachs

How many sardines can a dog eat?

Vets recommend keeping all treats under 10% of daily calories. One sardine (canned in water) has about 25 kcal. The chart shows the most a typical spayed or neutered adult dog could have in a day if sardines were the only treat.

Dog weight	Daily treat budget	Max sardines per day
10 lb (4.5 kg)	35 kcal	1 × sardine (canned in water)
20 lb (9.1 kg)	59 kcal	2 × sardine (canned in water)
40 lb (18.1 kg)	98 kcal	3.5 × sardine (canned in water)
60 lb (27.2 kg)	133 kcal	5 × sardine (canned in water)
80 lb (36.3 kg)	166 kcal	6.5 × sardine (canned in water)

Benefits and risks

Benefits

Rich in omega-3s (EPA and DHA) for skin, coat and joints
Low in mercury because they are small and short-lived
Soft, edible bones provide calcium

Risks

Sardines in oil add extra calories and fat
Salted, smoked or sauce-packed sardines are too salty or spicy
Some sauces include garlic or onion

How to feed sardines to your dog

Choose sardines in water, no salt added
Small dogs: half a sardine; large dogs: one or two
Serve a few times a week as a topper, not daily in large amounts

What if my dog ate too much sardines?

Eating more than the recommended amount usually causes nothing worse than an upset stomach: soft stool, gas or vomiting. Skip treats for the rest of the day, keep fresh water available and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or your dog seems unwell.

Planning treats? Check your dog's full daily needs with the dog food calculator or dog calorie calculator.

Sardines and dogs: FAQ

Can dogs have sardines?

Yes. Sardines are one of the best fish for dogs: small, low in mercury and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Choose sardines canned in water with no added salt, or fresh cooked sardines.

Can dogs eat sardines in olive oil?

Occasionally, if you drain the oil. Water-packed sardines are better because of the extra fat and calories in oil.

How many sardines can my dog have?

Use the calculator above. As a rough guide, a small dog can have half a sardine and a large dog one or two, a few times a week.

Can puppies eat sardines?

Yes, in very small amounts once they are eating solid food. Puppies have sensitive stomachs, so offer a tiny piece and stop if you see loose stool. Most of their calories should come from a complete puppy food.

More "can dogs eat" guides

Browse lists: human foods dogs can eat · foods dogs can't eat

Sources

This guide is general information for healthy adult dogs. Dogs with medical conditions (such as diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease or food allergies) may need different advice from their vet.

Can Dogs Eat Sardines?