Minnows or anchovies: two small freeze-dried fish

Freeze dried minnows vs anchovies is a comparison of two small whole fish, each a single ingredient, each in a 2 ounce bag, each listed for dogs and cats. The minnow is the whole marble goby, and the anchovy is Stolephorus chinensis. Minnows are sold out right now, so the anchovies are the one to look at.

What is the difference between freeze-dried minnows and anchovies?

On paper, less than you might think. Both are whole fish. Each is freeze-dried raw, made in Malvern, Pennsylvania from imported fish. Each is one ingredient, and both listings name dogs and cats.

The differences are in the details the listings choose to print. The minnow listing names the fish, calls it the only ingredient, and says it is whole, not filleted, ground or pressed. The anchovy listing names its species, says no grains, fillers or dyes go in, and describes a strong natural fish smell. The minnow listing adds that there are no additives or preservatives.

We cannot tell you that one is smaller, crunchier or better liked. The listings do not compare them, and neither do we. Our scorecard, which is our own rating and not a fact about your pet, gives both a crunch of 4 of 5 and a training score of 3 of 5.

Which species is in each bag?

The minnow bag holds the marble goby, Oxyeleotris marmorata. That is the species the minnow listing names. The anchovy bag holds Stolephorus chinensis. That is the species the anchovy listing names.

We will not go into taxonomy, and we will not explain why the goby is sold as a minnow. The listing names the species, so that is what we report. The minnow page carries the listing itself.

Size varies in both bags. The minnow listing mentions a mix of bigger and smaller fish, lighter and darker. The anchovy listing adds shape to the list of things that differ from fish to fish. That is as specific as either gets, and neither gives fish lengths or piece counts.

What do the minnow listing and the anchovy label give you?

Here is the side by side. The anchovy numbers are printed on the package label. The minnow column shows what the minnow listing gives, which for some rows is nothing.

The gap in the middle matters if you are counting. The minnow listing gives no guaranteed analysis and no calorie figure, so you cannot turn a dog's treat budget into ounces of minnows from what we publish. With anchovies you can, and the anchovy page has a calculator that does it.

Serving is close to a match. The minnow listing says to serve them whole or crumbled over food as a topper. The anchovy listing gives two uses, pieces for rewards and a topper. Both say treat, not a complete diet, and both ask for supervision.

Which suits a cat, and which suits a dog?

Both listings name both. The minnow listing says adult dogs of all sizes, with one bag for dogs and cats. The anchovy listing gives the same dog fit and adds that cats can have the anchovies.

For dogs, the calculator on the anchovy page applies a default of 10 percent of the day's calories, and the sardine page credits that figure to VCA's treat guidance. It is a dog setting. It is not printed on either bag.

For cats we stay conservative. We give no cat numbers, and a cat's share is the cat's veterinarian's call. If your cat is on a special diet, or has had trouble with seafood before, ask first. The anchovy listing says to ask your veterinarian if your dog has a seafood history, and the same instinct holds for a cat.

Since both are freeze-dried raw, wash your hands afterward. The sardine heads listing says it this way: "This is raw fish, so wash your hands after handling it." Think of it as the shop rag rule: you wipe up after the job, not before the next one.

What can you try while the minnows are sold out?

The minnow button reads "Sold out, back soon", and we give no date. We do not take orders ahead, so there is nothing to place in the meantime.

The anchovies are another small whole fish, with a bag of the same size. If you have been buying minnows for a dog or a cat, they are a reasonable one to try alongside your regular routine, as long as your vet is fine with fish for your pet. They are a different fish with a strong natural smell, so do not expect a copy.

If you want a wider view, the freeze-dried minnows vs sardines guide puts the minnow next to the sardine, and the guides hub covers every fish we make.