Feeding dog sardines

mad muffin

I started feeding Leo two sardines a day one with each meal I mix it up with his kibble. I started this because he's become bored with his food (Markus Mühle NaturNah).

I've reduced his kibble by about 50g as well. He's about 25kg.

Is two sardines a day ok?

scudzilla

I'd say 2 tins a day could end up playing havoc with his arse.

We give ours 2 tins with dry food once, maybe twice a week at most

maggiepip

Sardines are really good for dogs so thats fine. My dogs get a tin each a few times a week, they love them.

tk123

When I have them I feed a few sprat every day and no problems

aonb

scudzilla wrote: »

I'd say 2 tins a day could end up playing havoc with his arse.

We give ours 2 tins with dry food once, maybe twice a week at most

didnt the OP say TWO sardines a day, not two TINS??

OP, How big/weight is Leo?!

scudzilla

aonb wrote: »

didnt the OP say TWO sardines a day, not two TINS??

OP, How big/weight is Leo?!

Sorry, yes, my mistake

I know my back garden would be a MESS if i gave mine 2 tins a day :pac::pac:

Valentina

I feed my dogs sardines two to three times a week, sometimes on consecutive days. The Cavaliers (about 8kg each) get half a tin each per meal and the Ridgebacks (one is about 35kg, the other 40kg) get a tin per meal.

In my experience the only 'side effect' of feeding sardines daily is their coats get super soft and shiny. No issues with their bowels.

They also get salmon oil and salmon treats on occasion. They love their fish.

mad muffin

aonb wrote: »

didnt the OP say TWO sardines a day, not two TINS??

OP, How big/weight is Leo?!

He's a Dalmatian/Cocker Spaniel cross. The Cocker part didn't get much of a look in though. He's 10 months and a bout the size of a female Lab but built like a Dalmatian. He's about 25Kg. My vet said he's the ideal weight for his size.

scudzilla wrote: »

Sorry, yes, my mistake

I know my back garden would be a MESS if i gave mine 2 tins a day :pac::pac:

Haha :P

His poops aren't too bad. He's a sensitive gut but the two sardines a day haven't affected him adversely.

Gael23

Once or twice a week I'd say would be enough.

Danjamin1

I've seen the downside of sardines firsthand, the kitchen was covered in it first thing when I got in from work and again first thing the following morning.

I wasn't even feeding him that much, about one sardine with a bowl of food twice a day.

It was everywhere.

mad muffin

Danjamin1 wrote: »

I've seen the downside of sardines firsthand, the kitchen was covered in it first thing when I got in from work and again first thing the following morning.

I wasn't even feeding him that much, about one sardine with a bowl of food twice a day.

It was everywhere.

Sounds nasty :eek:

Leo's been doing well with two sardines a day mixed with his food for the last month or so.

Cherry Blossom

My dogs are small and they get a full tin each for one meal and it has never made any difference to their toilet business. If it has a worming tablet hidden in it though that's a completely different story!

kylith

I'm going to be putting Finn on a sardine or two a day so I'll watch out for rear-end explosions.

vienne86

I had a little guy for the day a while back - pug cross. His owner was delayed, so I had to come up with an emergency dinner, and having no dog food at all in the house, I cooked some rice, and mixed in a couple of sardines. He absolutely loved that, and no ill effects, I gather.

kylith

kylith wrote: »

I'm going to be putting Finn on a sardine or two a day so I'll watch out for rear-end explosions.

So far the only effect has been the first clean bowl since he arrived.

Danjamin1

kylith wrote: »

So far the only effect has been the first clean bowl since he arrived.

Haha that's how it started for me.... give it time!! Hopefully it doesn't happen to you, i wouldn't wish it on anyone else!! Watch out for warning signs, e.g. looser than normal stools!

kylith

Danjamin1 wrote: »

Haha that's how it started for me.... give it time!! Hopefully it doesn't happen to you, i wouldn't wish it on anyone else!! Watch out for warning signs, e.g. looser than normal stools!

That can happen when you introduce any new food. Hopefully we'll be grand!

Speedwell

I suspect (based on my experience with sardines and canned fish generally) that if you can find sardines packed in water rather than oil, the toilet issues will be much improved.

SachaJ

Post resurrection......

Where do you get sardines in water? I've tried a few shops but can only find them in sunflower oil, olive oil, brine and tomato. I don't mind giving the dog the ones in olive oil (I'll drain the oil) but would prefer plain water.

DBB

Last time I saw them was in Tesco... I think

Chuchote

Now that my dog is very old, I give her a single sardine in her food (she's a big collie), mashed in to disguise the taste of the Arthri-Aid Omega, which she doesn't like. Sometimes I give her more, but I'm cautious because of the salt, not good for dogs.

SachaJ

DBB wrote: »

Last time I saw them was in Tesco... I think

Yeah I tried Tesco, M&S and Aldi yesterday. I'll try Tesco again maybe next week (they might have just been sold out), Dunnes, Spar and Lidl.

Gave him one in brine (rinsed in fresh water) yesterday and olive oil today and he monstered them.

muddypaws

SachaJ wrote: »

Yeah I tried Tesco, M&S and Aldi yesterday. I'll try Tesco again maybe next week (they might have just been sold out), Dunnes, Spar and Lidl.

Gave him one in brine (rinsed in fresh water) yesterday and olive oil today and he monstered them.

I always give the ones in tomato sauce, some people won't feed them as they've read that tomatoes are poisonous to dogs. The flesh of the tomato is absolutely fine, and contains a good antioxidant it is only the leaves and woody part of the plant that is dangerous to them.