Can dogs eat anchovies?

Fresh anchovies are like tiny sardines: low in mercury and rich in omega-3 fats. Grilled or baked plain, one or two make a good treat for a medium dog. Cured anchovy fillets, on the other hand, have been packed in salt for months and can contain several grams of sodium per 100 g, many times more than fresh fish.

Dried anchovies sold for dogs are usually unsalted; check the label.

Anchovies turn up in Caesar dressing, puttanesca sauce, tapenade, and some pizza toppings, often alongside garlic. Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies too. Your dog is unlikely to eat enough of these to have a problem with the fish itself, but the garlic and salt are worth watching.

Anchovy paste in a tube is almost pure salt and fish.

A small dog that eats a whole tin or jar has taken in a lot of salt quickly. Make fresh water available and do not try to induce vomiting. Check whether the oil or brine was also swallowed and call your vet for advice, especially for dogs under 10 kg (22 lb).

Small dogs are most at risk, because the same tin is a far bigger dose of salt for a 4 kg (9 lb) terrier than for a 35 kg (77 lb) retriever.

Freeze-dried or air-dried whole anchovies made for dogs are popular training treats. They crumble easily and have a strong smell that motivates many dogs. Count them in your daily treat allowance. Break larger ones into two or three pieces for small dogs.