I've taken to stuffing the Kongs with mackerel because it's a lot cheaper, but boy is it even stinkier than sardines. At least all the Plug Ins I have mask the smell lol.
I'm always curious why there's the worry about fat in the diet? If something had oil, Snowie gets the lot. I'd be concerned with too much sugar from refined carbohydrates, but never about fat. Of course there are diseases where fat causes more harm (e.g. Pancreatitis), but in a normal, healthy dog I can't see the concern of oil from sardines. If they were more affordable where I live (Cape Town) I'd be feeding them often. But a teeny-tiny tin (I think 200gm) costs the same as 750gm of raw meat.
You must have these where you are in Spain?! We have about four different varieties of sardines in tomato to choose from in a single supermarket. And, of course, sardines in escabeche. I normally buy the ons in tomato unless I'm making cookies, and then the ones in oil are perfect. There's no problem with them at all, just be aware of the additional calories.
I just have to apply caution as Sam has an intolerance to fats, too much fat , which is why he doesn't have anything too oily but for your normal dog with a good digestion , they are just fine x
Could be -I'll take a closer look! I always wanted the ones in oil so ignored the others. Once I mistakenly picked up ones in Italy that had peppers and onions in with the sardines. Ugh.
It's something we are used to he is really well. It's just a thing which is a pain but managed carefully its ok. I've just had to adjust my thinking. Feeding him can be really experiment . We will be trying raw next. if you saw him you'd laugh hes on the sofa tucked up snoring like a tornado.hes a really skinny slinky lab who's is a bit fabulous and very high maintenance
I buy mine in Lidl - certainly seen these stores in Spain on holiday but they are maybe a bit regional in what they sell. Asda do the spicy ones
I thought I would try tuna loving Bailey with them today after reading this post - opened the can and had to come out of the kitchen as I was heaving!! OMG the smell OH to the rescue he put them in Bailey's bowl with his kibble - boy is not too sure but keeps going back to have a sniff. Downside I have to hold my breath to go in the kitchen now. Probably going back to tuna - more £ but at least I can go in my own kitchen
@Samantha Jones, you could try fresh ones. They're a lot cheaper. I buy a kilo of them and freeze them on a tray so they don't stick together and then pop them into a freezer bag. I feed them frozen so there's no smell after the initial prep. In Andorra, we just buy ready-frozen, but I didn't see these in the supermarkets in the UK. That said, I've just done a quick search and found quite a few suppliers online: http://www.kingcrab.co.uk/acatalog/Sardines-x-1kg-62.html
Thank you @snowbunny I will give this a go. We are also going to introduce him to raw food as he is so fussy with his kibble and will go a day or more without eating fingers crossed he likes it
Seems the jury is out on sardines on toast ... Just to add I sometimes use a bit if sardine and oil to jazz up kibble for training treats ,if I want something easy to throw...I put some of his kibble meal allowance in a plastic bag with a smidgeon of sardine and a little of the oil and give it a good shake ....then I've got something higher value than his regular kibble .
But if you do this don't forget and leave it in your coat pocket by a hot radiator.. I always forget .
I bought some refillable tube things online, so I can mash up a tin of sardines and squeeze it out for the 'magic' word treat. @SwampDonkey i know what you mean about the hot radiator .
I am giving My lab x collie 10ml of Scottish salmon oil in his kibble everyday as he suffers from itchy skin and bites at his paws , would it still be ok to give him half time sardines in sunflower oil as well , . he is 8yr old .
Sardines in olive oil a better choice due to high levels of polyunsaturated fats in sunflower oil. Make sure your dog has enough vitamin E too (antioxidant protects against tissue damage from PUFAs) and that your salmon oil is very fresh (oxidised oil will use up your dog's vit E). I prefer to feed fresh raw sardines or sprats.
I carry a bag of them when recall training. Hero can smell them( and me...) Right across the field. Second I blow his whistle he comes a-runnin. Also works as good deterrent on way home to stop silly people who gush over puppies. One whiff and they're gone lol
