Can dogs eat sardines?
Yes, in moderation. Canned sardines packed in water, unsalted and unseasoned, are a suitable fish treat, and their tiny bones are soft and edible after canning. Fresh sardines must be fully cooked. Avoid salty, seasoned or raw fish.
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Why
Plain, fully cooked fish provides protein and fatty acids. Cooking fully reduces the risk from parasites and bacteria. Canned sardines are the exception to the bones rule because their bones soften during canning; for other fish, bones must be removed. Canned fish should be unsalted and unseasoned.
What to do
If your dog ate salty or seasoned sardines or raw fish, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea or low energy and call your vet if these are severe or don't stop.
How to give it
Canned in water, unsalted and unseasoned; or fresh sardines fully cooked (steamed, baked or poached) and plain; in moderation.
Questions and answers
Do I need to remove the bones from canned sardines?
No. The tiny bones are soft and fully edible after canning, so sardines canned in water can be fed without deboning.
Related foods
All foods: What can dogs eat?Sources
- Which Human Foods Can Dogs Eat and Which Are Dangerous? — American Kennel Club (Updated Oct 21, 2026)
- Can Dogs Eat Fish? — American Kennel Club, Anna Burke (updated 2026-07-27)
- Food Poisoning in Dogs: What to Know — American Kennel Club, AKC Staff (updated 2026-07-27)
General information from the sources below, not reviewed by a vet and not a substitute for veterinary advice. When in doubt, call your vet.
How kids practise this in PetPrep
In PetPrep a child looks after a realistic dog: meals at the right times, water, walks and care. Knowing what is safe to share is part of being ready for a real pet.