Dried sprats are a popular addition to mealtime, but are they good for your dog? They’re tasty, healthy, and packed with nutrients, but many pet owners are new to incorporating dried sprats into their dogs' diet. To learn more about the potential benefits of dried sprats and whether they’re good for your dog, continue reading.
What Are Dried Sprats?
Dried sprats are small, oily fish treats for dogs. They're 100% natural and full of nutrients, essential fats, and minerals. These single-ingredient fish treats contain no nasty additives and are often fed whole, as a meal topper, or as a treat.
How to Feed Your Dog Dried Sprats
Feeding dried sprats to your dog has never been easier. If you’re new to dried sprats, simply feed them with your dog's meal or as a tasty treat:
- Meal: Place the sprats within your dog's food as whole or chopped up, depending on the size of your dog.
- Treat: Give the sprats whole or chopped up, depending on the size of your dog, either freehand or in an enrichment toy.
Dried sprats require no preparation, making them a quick and easy treat to give your dog!
Do Dried Sprats for Dogs Offer Benefits?
Absolutely! Dried sprats for dogs offer several potential benefits to dogs:
- 100% natural
- Nutritious
- Easily digestible
- Anti-inflammatory
- Healthier skin and coat
- Hypoallergenic
- Better dental health
- Rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6
Overall, dried sprats can be beneficial for dogs when fed correctly and in moderation.
Dried Sprats for Dogs: 5 Safety Precautions
We know what you might be thinking…how is there an unsafe way to feed dried sprats to dogs? Although dried sprats are considered safe, it’s always important to consider safety precautions during feeding time.
1 - Feed
Dried sprats can be fed to your dog every day, but only in moderation. While dried treats are healthy and nutritious, they must be fed as part of a balanced diet without exceeding the recommended daily amount:
- Small dogs – 1–5 sprats
- Medium dogs – 1–7 sprats
- Large dogs – 1–10 sprats
While this is a rough recommendation, you don’t have to follow these guidelines. Many dogs are satisfied with just a few dried sprats per day.
2 - Quality
Be sure to purchase quality dried sprats from trusted suppliers, such as ourselves at Mersey Raw! You can complete a quick quality check to find out where the sprats were sourced by scanning the product label or information section online. While some higher-quality dried sprats can be slightly more expensive, they’re safer to buy.
3 - Store
To ensure freshness, dried sprats should be kept in a cool, dark place of storage, preferably in their original packaging or an airtight container.
4 - Balance
Balance is key when it comes to feeding treats to dogs. While your dog may seem to love dried sprats, it's essential to feed the right amount with a balanced diet. It’s also important to consider feeding different natural treats to your dog from time to time.
5 - Monitor
With any new treat you feed your dog, you should provide fresh water and monitor them closely to ensure no signs of intolerance or allergies. Dogs can be allergic to sprats just like other forms of protein sources.
Spotting Intolerance to Dried Sprats
It’s our job as dog owners to react fast when we spot potential signs of intolerance or allergic reaction to dried sprats:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Itchy skin
- Discomfort
- Recurring ear infections
If your dog shows severe signs of intolerance or allergic reaction to dried sprats, we advise contacting a vet.
Can Puppies Eat Dried Sprats?
Puppies can eat dried sprats from around 8-12 weeks old. We advise following the same safety precautions as feeding adult dogs dried sprats, even more so with them being so young.
Are Dried Sprats Good for Dogs?
So, what’s the verdict - are dried sprats good for dogs? Yes, of course they are! Dried sprats are great treat options to incorporate into your dog's diet and, as discussed, offer many great benefits for both puppies and adult dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds.
Key Takeaways
- Dried sprats are good for dogs
- Dried sprats can be given as a meal topper or an individual treat
- Mersey Raw sell quality dried sprats for dogs across the UK
Shop Our Dried Sprats Today!
At Mersey Raw, we sell 1kg packs of high-quality, dried sprats. Our dried sprats are sourced from trusted farms and carefully prepared for your dog to enjoy. To keep your dog's tail wagging, shop our dried sprats for dogs today!