Posted by The Granville Island Pet Treatery on 12th Aug 2024

4 Reasons Sardines are Great for your Pet! (5 if you count taste - and you should!!)


As a pet parent you are always looking for healthy snacks to feed your furry friend, but want one that tastes great. Look no further, Sardines are the perfect choice. Super healthy treats that taste even better… and definitely better than they look!!

Small but power-packed, they are full of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals and have an important place in your cat and dog’s diets.


(1) Skin and Coat 

Sardines are high in fat, filled to the gills with Omega-3 fatty acids which are known to promote a healthier skin and coat. Thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties, they may also reduce skin inflammation and can calm allergy-related itching.

(2) Joint Health 

Hip and joint problems that are common in large and senior dogs, can limit movement and cause persistent pain. The fatty acids in sardines are shown to promote reduced inflammation in the joints. Sardines also contain phosphorus and calcium, which can support your pet's skeletal structure.

(3) Heart Health 

Another essential nutrient found in sardines is Coenzyme Q10. This antioxidant is proven to support heart function. As dogs get older they experience a decrease in CoQ10 production and sardines can help compensate for the loss of this vital nutrient.

(4) Overall Health

Sardines are a complete protein, meaning they contain many of the amino acids for optimal health. These nutrients help support functions of your pet’s organs, muscles, digestive system and immune system.

Why choose Dehydrated Sardines?

Easier to store than fresh or frozen, and free of the preservatives and additives that can be found in the canned options - our dehydrated sardines are a great choice when it comes to both health and convenience. Dehydration is a gentle process that preserves raw ingredients, is free of artificial preservatives and keeps nutrients and enzymes intact.

Worried about Mercury?

Unlike some other fish, sardines have a low mercury content because they are low on the food chain. Sardines do not consume other species that contain mercury and don’t live long enough for them to accumulate mercury to a significant degree.

These small fish are both nutrient and calorie dense so a little goes a long way. Make sure you’re feeding an appropriate amount and account for the extra calories in your pet’s diet.

If needed, break sardines into pieces for smaller pets (under 20 lbs) and always supervise use.