Can dogs eat fish heads? Freeze-dried sardine heads
Updated
What you get
Heads only, from sardines, freeze-dried with nothing added. The bones and eyes are still there, and yes, the eyes are obvious when you open the bag. If you want the rest of the fish, that is a separate bag: freeze-dried sardines.
Every head is a little different, so a bag mixes bigger and smaller pieces. On our scorecard the crunch rates 4 of 5. The smell is what makes them useful in training, and we rate training use 3 of 5, a good reward rather than our strongest one. Those are our ratings, not facts about your dog.
Contains fish. If your pet has reacted to fish before, skip these and ask your veterinarian.
Can dogs eat fish heads?
Our heads are sold to be eaten whole. That does not make them right for every dog, and we do not claim the bones are safe.
- The AKC calls fish bones small, brittle and dangerous and says they can lodge in a dog's mouth, throat, stomach or intestines (AKC, Can Dogs Eat Fish, opened 2026-10-16).
- The ASPCA says bones can injure or block the gut of a dog or cat, sometimes to the point of surgery (ASPCA, People Foods to Avoid, opened 2026-10-16).
- Our listing asks you to supervise while your pet eats, and we agree.
If you go ahead: pick a head that suits your pet's size, stay close until it is gone, never leave heads out for a pet to find on its own, and ask your veterinarian first if you are unsure about your dog and fish bones.
Guaranteed analysis
From the package label:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Crude protein (min) | 52% |
| Crude fat (min) | 13% |
| Crude fiber (max) | 5% |
| Moisture (max) | 14% |
| Metabolizable energy | 3,347 kcal ME/kg, approximately 94.9 kcal/oz |
These are the same figures printed for our whole sardines. VCA suggests keeping treats to about 10 percent of daily calories (VCA, Dog Treats, opened 2026-10-16); your veterinarian can tell you what that is for your pet.
Serving and handling
In training, hand over a head as the reward. At mealtime, crush one over kibble or another meal. The listing names adult dogs of every size, and cats share the bag; a cat can have a head whole or crumbled.
These are raw fish before they are freeze-dried, and the listing says to wash your hands after touching them. The FDA says the same for raw pet food, asking for soap and water for at least 20 seconds, clean bowls and surfaces, and no face licking right after a raw meal (FDA, Get the Facts, opened 2026-10-16). VCA also urges caution with freeze-dried raw treats because of possible bacterial contamination that can spread to people and other pets.
Keep the bag cool and dry and seal it again every time you open it.
Questions about sardine heads
Can dogs eat fish heads?
Ours are sold to be eaten whole, but the AKC and ASPCA both warn about bones. Supervise, match the piece to your dog and ask your veterinarian if you are unsure.
Are the eyes really in there?
Yes. These are complete heads, so the eyes and bones come with them.
Dogs only, or cats too?
Both are on the listing. A cat can take one whole or crumbled over food.
Are the heads all one size?
No. They change with the fish, so every bag has a range from small to larger.
Want the whole fish too?
The Fish Trio packs heads, whole sardines and anchovies in a single box.