Can dogs eat sardines in brine?
✓ Reviewed against PDSA, Blue Cross & Animal PoisonLine guidance · Last updated: 2026-06-17
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The full picture
Brine is concentrated salt water, and that's the issue. A standard tin of sardines in brine has around 1.5–2g of salt — roughly twice as much as sardines in spring water. For a small dog, that's a significant proportion of the daily sodium tolerance in a single serving.
The fish themselves are fine — sardines are an excellent food source for dogs. It's just the packaging fluid that creates the problem. If brine is all you have, rinse the sardines thoroughly under cold running water for 30 seconds before serving. This removes most of the surface salt but not all of it.
Better solution: buy sardines in spring water instead. They cost roughly the same and need no preparation beyond draining. US grocery stores carry both — the spring water version is usually next to it on the shelf.
Is a single serving of brine sardines going to harm a dog? Almost certainly not — but it's not the right choice when a better option exists.
If your dog ate more than a safe amount
Excessive salt causes increased thirst, urination, and in severe cases vomiting or even sodium ion poisoning. If your dog has eaten multiple tins of brine sardines: provide fresh water, monitor for vomiting or lethargy, and call the vet if symptoms appear.
Risks to watch for
- High sodium content — roughly 2g salt per tin
- Repeated brine sardine feeding can stress kidneys long-term
- Risk worse for dogs with existing heart or kidney disease
Potential benefits
- The sardines themselves still provide omega-3, protein, and calcium
- Rinsing reduces the salt issue substantially
Safe portion size
Half the portion size of spring-water sardines, and only after rinsing. Or — better — just buy the spring water version.
Safer alternatives
- Sardines in spring water (much better choice)
- Sardines in plain water
Does size or breed matter?
Small and toy breeds, and any breed prone to pancreatitis (Miniature Schnauzers especially), should have sardines in any preparation as a small, occasional treat given the fat and sodium content — large dogs can generally tolerate more without issue. No specific breed sensitivity to sardines themselves.