Freeze-Dried Anchovies: Fish Treats for Dogs & Cats

Freeze-dried anchovies for dogs and cats, and the first thing to know is the smell. It is strong, the natural smell of whole fish. The only ingredient is anchovies.

We are not going to apologize for it. That smell is exactly why dogs work for these as a training reward. Past the smell, an anchovy is a whole fish that scores 4 of 5 for crunch on our scorecard, and it can be fed whole or broken into smaller pieces.

Anchovies for dogs that work for smell

Break an anchovy into smaller pieces and use them as rewards, or hand one over whole. Training value sits at 3 of 5 on our scorecard, a middle mark, and the smell is what the dog is working for. Our fit chart says adult dogs, all sizes.

Inside the 2 ounce bag

There is one size, a 2 ounce bag. The species is Stolephorus chinensis. Size, shape and color vary from fish to fish. No grains, fillers or dyes go in. The fish are lightweight and shelf stable, and the bag reseals, which matters more here than with most treats.

Sniff and Shift freeze-dries the anchovies in small batches in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and ships them from here as well. More of what we make is in our freeze-dried treats, and a recurring order is managed on the subscription page.

Guaranteed analysis

As printed on the package label:

• Crude Protein (min): 67%
• Crude Fat (min): 5%
• Crude Fiber (max): 6%
• Moisture (max): 11%
• Metabolizable Energy: 2,930 kcal ME/kg (approximately 83.1 kcal/oz)

Feeding and storage

Feed as a treat or meal topper. Not intended to replace a complete and balanced diet. Provide fresh water at all times and supervise pets while feeding. Close the bag again after opening, for the anchovies and for your kitchen. A cool, dry place is all they need.

The long version, with portions by dog size and the questions people ask, is in our guide to anchovies vs sardines for pets.

Questions

Can dogs eat anchovies?

These are made as treats for dogs and cats: plain anchovies, freeze-dried, with nothing added. Feed them as a treat or a meal topper. If your dog has had trouble with seafood before, ask your veterinarian first.

How strong is the smell?

Strong. It is typical of whole fish and it is the selling point, so we will not pretend otherwise.

Can cats have them?

Yes. Offer a cat a whole anchovy or crumble one over food.

Do freeze-dried anchovies need a refrigerator?

No. They are shelf stable and store in a cool, dry place.