Can dogs eat sardines?
Updated 7 August 2026
Yes. Sardines are a safe, useful oily fish for dogs, and VCA Animal Hospitals recommends omega-3 fatty acids from fish sources for joint and skin health. The rules are short: choose sardines in spring water over oil or brine, and keep portions small if your dog is overweight or prone to pancreatitis.
The detail
Sardines are a small, oily fish, and their main appeal is the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, the same compounds in the fish oil supplements many dogs already take. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that these fatty acids act as anti-inflammatory agents and are used for conditions including arthritis and skin allergies.
Because sardines are small and low on the food chain, feeding on plankton rather than other fish, they carry far less mercury than a large predator like tuna. The MSD Veterinary Manual explains that mercury bioaccumulates up through the food chain to the highest predators, which is why this site rates tuna as an occasional treat and sardines more generously.
The tin is what decides most of this page. Spring water adds nothing beyond the fish itself, oil adds a meaningful amount of fat, and brine adds salt, which the Pet Poison Helpline lists among the substances that can cause gastrointestinal and neurological signs at high doses.
What is in a typical 100g tin of sardines, drained
| Protein | About 24 to 25g |
| Fat (in spring water) | About 10 to 12gRises to around 15g or more in oil-packed tins |
| Calcium | Around 380mgFrom the soft, edible bones |
| Salt (spring water vs brine) | Roughly 0.3g in water, well over 1g in brineBrine is the version to skip |
| Mercury | Low compared with large predatory fishSardines sit near the bottom of the food chain |
How much is sensible
| Dog size | Sensible amount |
|---|---|
| Small (under 10kg)Chihuahua, Jack Russell | Half a sardine in spring water, drained, once or twice a week |
| Medium (10 to 25kg)Cocker spaniel, border collie | One sardine in spring water, drained, once or twice a week |
| Large (over 25kg)Labrador, German shepherd | One to two sardines in spring water, drained, once or twice a week |
| Dogs prone to pancreatitis, or overweight | A smaller amount, in water only, and only with your vet's agreement |
Tinned sardines in oil or brine
Spring water is the tin to reach for. It adds protein and omega-3 with nothing else attached, which is why it is the version worth keeping in the cupboard.
Oil-packed sardines add extra fat on top of the fish's own, and a dog prone to pancreatitis or already overweight does not need that. Drain the oil off thoroughly if it is all you have, and keep the portion smaller than the table above.
Brine-packed sardines are the one to skip. The Pet Poison Helpline lists salt among the substances that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors and worse at high doses, and a dog that eats brine-soaked fish regularly is taking in far more sodium than it needs.
Fresh sardines, cooked
A small piece of plainly cooked fresh sardine, grilled or steamed with nothing added, is a fine alternative to the tin. Cook it through rather than serving it raw, since raw fish carries a bacterial and parasite risk that cooking removes.
Fresh sardine bones are thin and can still catch in the throat, so either remove the larger ones or stick to the tinned version, where the canning process softens the bones enough to eat safely.
Sardines for joints and skin
This is the reason sardines earn a place beyond being merely harmless. VCA Animal Hospitals describes the omega-3s EPA and DHA as anti-inflammatory, with joint conditions like arthritis and skin conditions like allergic dermatitis among the uses.
A couple of sardines a week is a food-based way to add omega-3, though VCA also notes that fish oil supplements typically need weeks to months of consistent use before an effect is seen, so do not expect an overnight change in an older dog's stiffness.
If your dog is already on a fish oil supplement, mention sardines to your vet so the two do not stack into more omega-3 than is useful.
Sardines compared with tuna
Sardines and tuna are both tinned fish, and only one of them carries a real mercury conversation. The MSD Veterinary Manual explains that mercury accumulates up the food chain into the largest predators, and tuna sits much higher on that chain than a small, short-lived, plankton-eating sardine.
That is why this site treats sardines as an everyday-safe fish and keeps tuna to an occasional weekly treat. See our tuna page for the fuller mercury picture if your dog has a habit of tinned fish generally.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting or diarrhoea after an oily or overly large portion
- Excessive thirst after brine-packed sardines
- A hunched posture or reduced appetite, which can point to pancreatitis in a sensitive dog
Common questions
Can dogs eat sardines every day?
A sardine or two most days is generally fine for a healthy dog in spring water, though most vets would say a few times a week is plenty for the omega-3 benefit without adding excess calories. Watch a dog's weight and stools and cut back if either changes.
Are sardines in oil bad for dogs?
They are not toxic, but the oil adds extra fat on top of what the fish already carries. Drain it thoroughly if it is all you have, and choose spring water when you can.
Are sardines in tomato sauce safe for dogs?
Plain tomato is generally fine, but check the label for added onion, garlic or a lot of salt, since sauces vary between brands. Spring water remains the simpler, safer choice.
Can dogs eat the bones in tinned sardines?
Yes. Tinned sardines are canned under pressure, which softens the small bones enough to eat safely, unlike the bones in a fresh, uncooked fish.
Do sardines have less mercury than tuna?
Yes. The MSD Veterinary Manual explains that mercury builds up the food chain into the largest predators, and a small, short-lived, plankton-eating fish like a sardine sits much lower on that chain than tuna.
Are sardines good for a dog's joints?
VCA Animal Hospitals describes the omega-3s in oily fish as anti-inflammatory and useful for conditions including arthritis. It also notes that any effect takes weeks to months of consistent feeding to show, not a single meal.
Can dogs with pancreatitis eat sardines?
Only with your vet's agreement, and in a smaller amount than a healthy dog. Sardines are an oily fish, and fat is exactly what a pancreatitis diet is built to limit.