We love to share our favorite snacks with our furry friends. If you enjoy sardines in tomato sauce, you may be wondering if your pooch can enjoy them as well.
On the other hand, perhaps you have some sardines in tomato lurking in your pantry, and don’t want them to go to waste. Can your dog eat them?
Can dogs eat sardines in tomato?
Dogs can eat sardines in tomato, but it’s not the best choice for them. Both sardines and tomatoes are good for your pooch. However, there are some concerns with feeding them sardines in tomato sauce.
Sardines for Dogs
Sardines have many health benefits for dogs. These small fish actually pack a big punch. Let’s look at some of the benefits of sardines for dogs.
Omega 3s
Omega 3s are great for your pooch. Omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation in the body and contribute to brain health. They improve immune function, and are great for all aspects of health.
They are particularly important for dogs with allergies or arthritis, but any dog can benefit from them.
You don’t want to overdo it, however. Your pooch requires a balance of Omega 3s and Omega 6s. Too much or too little of either can cause health issues.
Feel free to add some Omega 3s to your dog’s diet in the form of sardines, but remember moderation is key.
Protein
Cooked fish, including sardines, are easy for your dog to digest. Digestable proteins and amino acids are essential for your dog’s health. Sardines shouldn’t make up the bulk of your dog’s protein consumption, but they are a suitable supplement to their standard diet.
CoQ10
CoQ10, technically known as coenzyme Q10. It’s a powerful antioxidant. It is essential for cell mitochondria, which takes oxygen and carbohydrates and converts it to energy. It’s important for muscle and brain health, because these tissues use a lot of energy.
It’s used to treat some cancers, inflammatory conditions, heart and brain disorders. Consuming Co Q10 may help keep your pooch healthy by allowing their cells to function properly.
Mercury
Mercury is a concern when dogs and humans eat fish. Fish contain small amounts of mercury. The issue is that it can build up in the body. It builds up in the bodies of fish. When we consume them, it builds up in our bodies as well.
Mercury toxicity can cause digestive issues, and harm the heart and brain. The good news is that small fish like sardines contain very small amounts of mercury.
Bigger fish eat lots of small fish, so they accumulate higher levels of mercury. This means that mercury isn’t a concern when feeding your pooch sardines.
Are Tomatoes Good for Dogs?
Tomatoes are also good for dogs. However, they are part of the nightshade family, like potatoes. Red tomatoes are fine for your pooch to eat.
However, green tomatoes and the parts of the plant itself are toxic to dogs, because they contain tomatine. Humans can process this fairly well, but dogs can’t.
Symptoms of tomatine poisoning include loss of coordination, muscle weakness, seizures, gastrointestinal upset, and abdominal pain.
Still, tomatoes are perfectly safe for your pooch, as long as they don’t consume an extreme amount.
Tomatoes have a lot of fiber, which is good for your dog’s digestion. They are also full of antioxidants. They are loaded with vitamins and minerals, which include potassium, Vitamin K, foliate, and Vitamin C.
Can Dogs Eat Tomato Sauce?
Tomatoes are a great addition to your dog’s diet, but tomato sauce is problematic. It typically contains lots of salt and sugar, which are bad for your dog.
Just like humans, dogs need salt and sugar in their diet. However, they need much less than we do. Dogs don’t sweat the way humans do, so they need a low amount of sodium in their diet.
Dog foods already contain some sodium to meet your dog’s daily requirements, so you should use caution when adding extra salt to their diet.
Sugar can also be problematic. The sugar in one serving of sardines isn’t likely to cause them serious harm. However, over time, a high sugar diet can have negative health effects.
Feeding Sardines in Tomato Sauce
Sardines in tomato sauce isn’t an ideal food for your dog. However, feeding it as an occasional treat is unlikely to cause any harm. Larger dogs can have a few sardines per day, while small dogs should be limited to one per day.
Of course, you can feed them more sardines less often as well. A small dog could have two sardines every two days. Just don’t feed them a large amount in one sitting. It can be hard on their digestive system.
If you have sardines with tomatoes on hand, you can rinse the tomato sauce off before serving. This wont’ completely remove the salt and sugar, but it will greatly reduce it.
Other Options
Sardines are a great treat for your pooch. If you want to give your dog sardines, ideally they aren’t packed in tomato sauce.
The best sardines for your dog are ones without added flavors or seasonings, including salt. It’s best to choose sardines packed in water or a natural oil like sunflower or coconut oil, without added salt.
What happens if a dog eats sardines in tomato?
If your dog eats sardines in tomato, it’s unlikely that anything negative will happen. However, there are some possibilities you will want to be aware of.
Allergies
If you are feeding your dog a new food, you’ll want to watch for allergies. Fish and tomatoes are not common allergens, but it is possible for dogs to develop an allergy to them.
The most common food allergy symptom is gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea. Your pooch may also have skin irritation or itching. Sneezing and runny nose can also occur.
Salt Toxicity
Feeding your pooch sardines, even sardines in tomato sauce, are unlikely to cause salt toxicity. However, if your dog consumes a large amount of salt, they can become very ill.
The symptoms of salt toxicity include vomiting and diarrhea. The dog will drink more water to try to flush the excess sodium, leading to excessive thirst and urination. They will also have decreased appetite, lethargy, and lack of coordination.
In serious cases, dogs can experience seizures, tremors, coma, and even death.
Stomach Upset
Any new food you give your dog can cause stomach upset. This is because it takes their digestive system time to adjust to new foods. If they aren’t accustomed to the food, it can cause stomach upset, including vomiting and diarrhea.
Tomato can also cause stomach upset due to its acidity level. Some dogs are more sensitive to this than others.
What to do if my dog eats sardines in tomato?
In most cases, there’s nothing you need to do when your pooch eats sardines in tomato. However, if they experience problems, there are steps you should take.
Allergies
If you suspect your dog has an allergy to sardines or tomato, it’s best to speak to your vet. They may recommend allergy testing or an elimination diet to determine if they have an allergy.
If your pooch has an allergy, you’ll need to avoid giving them the food they are allergic to. In this case, treatment is rarely needed. Once they stop eating the allergen, they will begin to feel better.
Salt Toxicity
Again, salt toxicity due to only sardines in tomato is very unlikely. However, a high salt intake can cause health issues, including high blood pressure.
If you suspect your pooch has salt toxicity, you’ll need to get them to the vet immediately. If you’ve realized that your dog is simply overdoing the salt in their diet, begin feeding them lower sodium foods.
Stomach Upset
If your pooch is experiencing stomach upset after eating sardines in tomato, there are a few ways to settle their tummy.
You can give them famotide, which is an antacid. The dosage is .5 mg per pound of body weight. A 20 pound dog, for example, would take a 10 mg.
The dosage can be repeated every 12 hours.
Pepto can also settle your pooch’s stomach upset. Give 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight. Some sources say that you shouldn’t give more than 4 teaspoons for dogs weighing over 40 pounds.
Pepto can be given every 6 to 8 hours.
Lastly, a bland diet can help with stomach upset. The best way to do this is to give them rice and boiled chicken in a 2 to 1 ratio. If you give them 1 cup of food, give them 2/3 a cup rice and 1/3 cup chicken.
This gives their digestive system time to heal. After 24 to 48 hours, you can begin transitioning your dog back to their regular diet.