Dogs and
cats need whole food to maintain good health – sardines are a fantastic whole
food, and an excellent treat. Fresh-frozen, whole
sardines (head, body, tail) are the preferred choice for ultimate nutritive value.
Canned
sardines are cooked at high temperatures resulting in loss of nutritional
benefits, and toxic contamination. Toxins in the can, including BPA in the lining
leach into the food. Studies have shown that even short-term feeding of canned
products increases the concentration of toxins in a dog (or cats) body. For these
reasons raw-frozen sardines are preferred over canned, however if you select a
canned sardine product with care, even canned sardines can improve a diet of
dry highly processed pet food. If you must use canned sardines, avoid products
that contain inorganic table salt / iodized salt. Avoid products that contain toxic oils
such as (non-organic) unspecified ‘vegetable’ oil, canola oil, soybean oil,
safflower oil, or cotton seed oil – these are all GMO oils contaminated with glyphosate
(a carcinogen).
Most grocery
stores sell uncooked, whole fresh-frozen wild-caught sardines. You can also
purchase fresh sardines. Sardines have very soft bones dogs and cats can
consume without fear of harm. The bones are an excellent source of calcium. No
need to remove the head or tail of the sardine - nutritional value is increased
when the fish is eaten in its entirety. There are two basic sizes of sardines –
very small sardines, and larger sardines. Small sardines are a great treat. You
can also choose to puree or finely grind sardines in a food processor or
grinder to make your own fish pate for fussy kitties. The larger sardines can
be sliced up in small pieces if you are feeding a small puppy or small-breed
dog, or left whole for larger dogs.
Sardines are
an excellent source of natural, unprocessed:
- Antioxidants.
- Essential macro-nutrients, and micro nutrients.
- Essential Amino acids
- Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Rich in protein.
Sardines can
help your Dogs and Cats:
- Bone health
- Brain health
- Cardiovascular health
- Eye health
- Joint health
- Metabolic health
- Mental health
- Skin health
- And more!
Dry / Canned Pet Food, Cooked Food Diet Dogs and Cats
If your dog
and cat is currently a diet of highly processed dry food, canned food, or home cooked food you have two choices
–
- You can lightly (at the lowest heat setting), cook the sardines in a little healthy oil – i.e. organic coconut oil, or olive oil.
- You can also choose to introduce your dog and cat to raw sardines.
Raw Fed Dogs and Cats
If your dog and cat is currently on a raw diet, you can introduce raw sardines - simply thaw and
serve.
Introducing Raw
- Start by offering one raw, frozen-thawed, small piece of sardine (or small whole sardine) away from meals (in between meals).
- If no adverse reaction occurs (i.e. loose stools, diarrhea, vomiting), you can repeat the treat again the following day.
- You can slowly increase the size of the treat – i.e. a medium size dog - start out with a small piece of sardine, and slowly build-up the amount given over the space of at least several weeks.
- By following this process you can avoid adverse reactions that occur when raw food is introduced too quickly, and in too large amounts.
Cautions
- If your dog has a food sensitivity to other fish, he / she may also have a sensitivity to sardines.
- If trying raw for the first time, and – you have carefully followed the instructions above, and an adverse reaction occurs your dog (cat) may have a food sensitivity to sardines – stop use.
Fresh-frozen
sardines are an inexpensive, simple, convenient, healthy whole food treat for
dogs and cats. For more information about
options and safely adding fish to your dogs and cats diet go
here.
For the
health of your furry companion, it’s time to ditch toxic, health deteriorating
highly processed dog and cat food treats,
Real food is
medicine!
Holistic Wellness and Behaviorist Services
Do you need holistic advice to support your companion animal's health and well being? Become a client. Book your consultation. My professional holistic nutrition, wellness and behavioral services are available to you:
🌿 Holistic Wellness Services for Dogs and Cats 🐕 🐈
🌿 Holistic Behaviorist Services for Dogs 🐕
My Holistic Client Services are Available Worldwide:
🇺🇸 USA
🇨🇦 Canada
🇬🇧 UK and other European countires
🇦🇺 Australia and other Oceania countires
🇭🇰 Hong Kong and other Asian countries
🇨🇷 Costa Rica and other Central American countries
🇪🇺 European countries
🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago and other South America countries
🇿🇦 South Africa and other African countries
🇸🇪 Sweden and other european countries
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Available Holistic Consultations and Sessions:
📱 FaceTime
📱 Facebook video or voice calling
💻 Skype
📞 Phone
🚶🏻♀️ In-Person
Menu of Holistic Wellness Services for Dogs and Cats 🐕🐈
For more information go here.
✅ Maintain Health, and;
✅ Address Health Issues and Conditions:
✓ Treatment and Remedy
✓ Pre-Surgery holistic support protocols
✓ Post-Surgery holistic healing protocols
✓ Pre-Vaccine holistic support protocols
✓ Post-Vaccine holistic support protocols
✓ Natural Insect and Parasite Prevention
✓ Natural Treatment for Insect, Parasite Infestation, Co-Infection, Disease
✅ Custom Designed Whole Food Diets - raw or gently cooked, and;
✅ Advice and Recommendation:
✓ Premade Diets - raw, dehydrated, freeze dried
✓ Supplemental Fresh Foods - raw, gently cooked
✓ Super foods
✓ Treats - raw, dehydrated, freeze dried, gently cooked
✓ Herbs
✓ Alternative Medicines
Menu of Holistic Behaviorist Services for Dogs 🐕
For more information go here.
In-person Sessions - available locally
Voice and Video Sessions - available worldwide
✓ Obedience Training
✓ Behavior Modification
✓ Psychological Rehabilitation
Affiliations to Companies
✓ None.
✓ I don't sell food or supplements.
✓ I'm not aligned with any companies.
✓ I choose to maintain my objectivity in selecting best-solutions for my individual client's needs.
Contact me
karen@ottawavalleydogwhisperer.ca
Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld
