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My 10 kg Border Collie ate half a sandwich that had oil-packed tinned anchovies on it — will the salt content be a problem for him?

Dogs · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

It is likely to be more than a minor issue. Tinned anchovies are extremely salty, and oil-packed versions carry even more sodium and fat, so your dog may develop vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive thirst and urination within a few hours. The oil itself can also irritate his pancreas, especially after eating other foods at the same time. Keep a close eye on him for the next twelve to twenty-four hours, ensure he has plenty of fresh water, and call your regular veterinarian if he cannot keep fluids down or seems increasingly unwell.

Anchovy — Food safety facts

Feed with care · Dogs · full breakdown on the linked food page

Extremely salty, whether fresh or tinned. A tiny piece at most, and no oil-packed ones.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Feed with care), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Anchovy is not poisonous to dogs, but it is easy to over-feed. Rich fat, salt or seasoning can bring on vomiting or diarrhoea within a day, and repeated large portions are a recognised trigger for pancreatitis.

If it ate some before you noticed, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or a painful, swollen abdomen over the next 24 hours. A one-off small amount in a healthy adult usually passes with water and rest; repeated exposure, a puppy or kitten, a senior, or a pet with an ongoing illness is a reason to call your vet the same day.

Why these cautions matter

A heavy salt load drives up thirst and urination, and in the worst cases leads to sodium ion poisoning, which is a genuine emergency.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Anchovy food facts page.

Open the full food page: Anchovy food facts →