THE MIGHTY SARDINE

How can one tiny fish make such a huge difference in the health of your dog?

There are many foods that we call super foods because of their ability to help the body heal.

But what about our canine friends?  Are there foods out there that would be considered canine superfoods?

Absolutely!  And the sardine is top of the list for the 1700 mg of omega 3 a can provides. 

Omega 3 is so vital in combatting inflammation.  Inflammation is the precursor to disease.

Anytime we can get the body back in balance and lower inflammation, it is highly beneficial.

But wait, what if I already give my dog a fish oil supplement in their food?

Fish oil is particularly susceptible to oxidizing, which happens faster when exposed to heat, air or light. It is also prone to oxidization because of its long supply chain, which often lacks appropriate preventive measures.

Most fish oil labels do not inform you if the oil is from fresh caught fish or farm raised fish.

Farmed fish are actually detrimental to our health due to what they are fed and how they are raised.

Larger fish higher on the food chain come with more mercury content than a small fish.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A SARDINE

Sardines are a type of small, oily fish that have been around for centuries.

The word “sardine” actually comes from the Latin word sarda, meaning “flesh of Sardinia.”

Sardines are found in many different parts of the world, but they are most commonly associated with the Mediterranean Sea.

The average weight of a Sardine is about half an ounce.

Sardines are typically caught using small nets or by hand.

They are most often packed in olive oil or water and are an excellent source of omega-three fatty acids, protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Research has shown that consuming sardines can offer a variety of health benefits for humans and animals.

Some of the potential health benefits associated with consuming sardines include: reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, improving brain health, and reducing the risk of heart disease as well as skin and coat health in our furry companions.

Sardines are one of the most accessible superfoods in existence.

Although it is a canned fish, after consulting with experts and the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Nutrient Database, the New York Times concluded fresh fish and canned fish have roughly the same nutritional value.

Of course, when choosing canned sardines, it is best to choose BPA free cans.

The nutritional value of a sardine

A can of sardines contains 23 grams of protein and that alone is quite an appealing aspect, especially for our carnivorous canines and felines.

High-quality protein provides the amino acids muscles need to repair and rebuild.

 They are a complete protein, meaning they contain all 10 of the amino acids that a dog’s body cannot make on its own.

Sardines are also a fantastic natural source of taurine which dogs and cats both need for heart health.

Although 11 grams of fat is a significant amount, much of that (about 8.3 grams) is composed of either monounsaturated fats or polyunsaturated fats.

Monounsaturated fats help reduce blood pressure and protect against heart disease.

They can also help the body better absorb vitamins and more efficiently use protein.

Sardines are a powerhouse of B vitamins. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, “all B vitamins help the body convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which is used to produce energy.

These B vitamins, often referred to as B-complex vitamins, also help the body metabolize fats and protein. B-complex vitamins are needed for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and skin and coat. They also help the nervous system function properly.

 The fact that a serving of sardines serves up a whopping 136% the RDV of Vitamin B12 certainly helps its case as a superfood.

Aside from vitamin B-12, they are also high in vitamin D, Iron, Calcium and Magnesium.

A serving of sardines contains 44%, 15%, 35% and 9% the RDV of each of these vitamins, respectively.

While a can of sardines may have a high sodium content which can be counterproductive, you can opt for a can with NO SALT ADDED AND PACKED IN WATER ONLY.

This will result in a can with less than 90mg of salt for the entire package You’ll still get the same basic nutritional profile.

Another plus is that they are very low in contaminants such as mercury.

You can’t see, taste or smell the mercury in fish, and cooking has no effect on it. 

The higher a fish is in the food chain, generally the higher in mercury it will be.

Since sardines are so small and so low in the food chain, they’re considered quite safe to eat.

Sardines are widely available and can be found in almost any supermarket. They’re also quite economical—you can buy a 12-pack of the best-selling sardines on Amazon for around $2 a can. There are about 5 to 6 fish per can.

But one of the best features of all is that most dogs and cats simply LOVE to eat sardines. Even the pickiest eaters tend to love this smelly superfood!

This also makes sardines a wonderful tool to use to hide other superfoods in your dog’s bowl.

We have all heard the phrase, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. For canines, a sardine a day keeps the vet away!

Feeding this tiny powerhouse to your dog a few times a week is an economical and simple way to elevate the overall health and longevity of your dog.