Yes, dehydrated anchovies are a good treat for dogs and cats, with one condition: they must be whole dehydrated anchovy and nothing else. They provide protein, Omega-3, calcium and phosphorus, and because they are a small fish, they accumulate far less mercury than large fish. The limit isn't the ingredient, it's the amount: they are a treat, and treats shouldn't exceed 10% of daily calories.
What a dehydrated anchovy really provides
Dehydrating means removing water, not adding anything. That's why a single-ingredient treat concentrates what the fresh fish already had:
- Omega-3 (EPA and DHA): the essential fatty acid that supports skin, coat and inflammation.
- High biological value protein, in a format dogs see as a reward.
- Calcium and phosphorus, because the anchovy is eaten whole, bones included.
- Low mercury. That's the advantage of small fish: they are at the start of the food chain and accumulate much less than tuna or swordfish.
How many to give per day
Applying the rule of 10% of daily calories:
- Small dog (up to 10 kg): 1-2 pieces per day
- Medium dog (10-25 kg): 2-3 pieces per day
- Large dog (over 25 kg): 3-4 pieces per day
- Adult cat (4-5 kg): half a piece or 1 piece per day
If you're giving them daily, take a little off the dry food portion. Treats that aren't deducted are the most common way a dog gains weight without anyone understanding why.
Where they're most useful: elimination diets and training
There are two situations where a single-ingredient fish treat solves a real problem.
The first is food allergy. When you try a new dry food to rule out an intolerance, chicken or beef treats ruin the whole trial. A pure fish treat lets you keep rewarding without contaminating the elimination diet. If you're at that point, the details are in how to switch a dog's dry food in 7 days.
The second is training. The smell of fish has a very high reinforcement value, and that's exactly what you need when there are distractions. In dopamine and smell we explain why the nose has more say than we think in a dog's mood.
How to choose them and how to store them
The label you're looking for has a single ingredient line: anchovy. No preservatives, no colorings, no flavorings. Anything added to a single-ingredient treat is there to cut costs or extend shelf life, not for the dog.
Once opened, keep them in an airtight container in a dry place. A dehydrated treat that regains moisture goes rancid and loses precisely the Omega-3 you bought it for.
Our Dehydrated Anchovies | Natural Treats are fresh anchovy, dehydrated, with no additives or artificial preservatives, and are equally suitable for dogs and cats. If you want to vary the type of fish, our Tuna Delights are dehydrated tuna loin in the same treat format, and the natural treats pack lets you try out which one your pet accepts best.
And if you're looking for Omega-3 as a daily routine rather than as a treat, the format that covers the dose is the Salmon Oil with Chondroprotectors (joint support): the treat reinforces, the oil doses.
All our treats are in featured products.
