Sardine oatcakes

by Jamie Shanks | Dec 6, 2012 | 87 comments

Last Updated: August 29, 2025

Some posts contain affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

The original sardine oatcake recipe

This is personally my favourite recipe on my blog, partly cause it was the first original treat I made myself that worked out. If you need super high-value treats – you’ve just found them! Your dog will love these oatcakes; they are tasty, healthy, smell great, and just so easy to make! And from preparation to cooking time they take less than one hour!

When I was thinking about a new recipe I could come up with I thought about making a type of oat based doggy flapjack then found that oatcakes were even easier to make and the perfect treat recipe to use fish!

I’ve taken these out with me several times when I’ve been dog walking and they are great for getting the attention of a dog who’s mind wanders when out for a walk!

Very simple to make, all you need is 6 ingredients and a biscuit cutter.

INGREDIENTS

2 tins of sardines in oil (2x120g)
60g (1/3 cup) of wholemeal flour
300g (1 1/3 cups) of oats
150ml Chicken broth (homemade broth is best)
1 egg

METHOD

Make around 150ml (1/4 pint) of broth or stock. Chicken will do. If using cubes get the low salt ones.

Add the two tins of sardines to a bowl (including the oil)!

Mash the sardines thoroughly with a fork!

Add an egg

Add the 300g (10oz) of oats and 60g (2oz) of wholemeal flour

Add a little of broth to bowl. To start with try adding 1/3 of your broth.

Mix ingredients with your hands and make a dough ball! Too dry? Add more broth. Too wet? Add some flour or oatmeal.

Roll out and cut out biscuits!

Place dog biscuits on baking tray and place into a preheated oven at 190°C (370°F) for around 20-25 mins.

Yum, that’s them cooked and they smell great!

If you’ve made these before, you will know what to expect

How to store

As a general guide if meat protein is present in recipe then it will last around 3 to 5 days stored in a cool place. If it has second class protein in it eg. cheese, lentils, eggs, etc, then they will store for about 10 days in a cool place. If there is no meat or second class proteins present then it will last around 3 weeks before they go soft like human biscuits.

Buy the book!

These dog treat recipes are now available to buy in book on Amazon. An ideal gift!

BUY NOW

By Jamie Shanks

BDWS is owned and run by me, Jamie Shanks. I’ve been a professional dog walker since 2010. When I’m not walking dogs, I’m usually at home entertaining my three dogs and attending to five hens and my vegetable garden.

87 Comments

Newer Comments →

Charlotte on November 25, 2013 at 10:10 pm

Hi Jamie,

Do you have to debone the fishir will it soften enough with cooking?

Thanks
- Jamie Shanks on November 25, 2013 at 10:15 pm
  
  these are canned sardines, so yeah they are deboned, they may have whisker like bones but they’re ok.
Mareta Greig on November 17, 2013 at 7:33 pm

Hi Jamie, just made these sardine oatcakes for my Boxer, Mylo as I heard he loved the one you let him try during the week! The mixture has produced a full tin of biscuits and Mylo loves them! What a success! I will be trying more recipes soon! Thanks
- Jamie Shanks on November 17, 2013 at 7:59 pm
  
  I’m glad he liked it, I’ve not met a dog that didn’t like them! That day I met Mylo I had taken all the biscuits I made the night before with me and by the end of the day they had all been scoffed up!
Jen on November 5, 2013 at 4:06 pm

Just made these , amazing , so simply to do and my dogs just adore them : ) Thank you
- Jamie Shanks on November 5, 2013 at 5:55 pm
  
  Thanks Jen! Glad you like them!
Monica on September 22, 2013 at 12:43 pm

Hi, can i ask if i can change the sardine fish to salmon fish? Coz in my country the sardins are not fresh and there are usually mix with other sauce in tin. 😀
- Jamie Shanks on September 22, 2013 at 7:01 pm
  
  Hi Monica! Yeah, Salmon is fine!
Wendy on August 29, 2013 at 8:55 pm

Made these for my dog today. Simple to make, smell awful baking, but he LOVES them. Thanks.
- Jamie Shanks on August 29, 2013 at 8:57 pm
  
  Thanks for your comments Wendy! This is one of my favourite recipes!
Lynne wakeling on May 17, 2013 at 7:44 am

Have made your wonderful liver biscuits already a favourite with my dog and the cats love them too. Trying the sardine cookies today already have a audience 2 cats 1 boxador puppy waiting. Thank you for your recipies
- Jamie Shanks on May 17, 2013 at 8:19 am
  
  Thanks Lynne!
  
  The liver biscuits are a lot of work but great! I love these sardine biscuits cause they are so simple and delicious!
- Lynne on May 18, 2013 at 2:40 pm
  
  Success !!!!! They have gone down a treat with both cats and Bertie my lovely boxador puppy. Shall be making these again gonna try the banana bombs next.
- Jamie Shanks on May 19, 2013 at 11:16 am
  
  I’m glad to hear that Lynn!
Janet on April 20, 2013 at 9:48 am

hi, I made the peanut butter and banana bombs for my 2 fcr dogs last week. Went down v well! From the photos here it looks like you don’t drain the sardines of their oil? Is that right? Thanks
- Jamie Shanks on April 20, 2013 at 10:10 am
  
  Hi Janet! I’m glad your dogs liked the banana bombs! Regarding the sardines I do add the oil to the recipe as the oil is good and helps keep the dough moist. Your dogs will love these!
jill on March 28, 2013 at 3:43 pm

just made these for my old yorkie and two chihauhuas pups they all love them, the pups are sitting infront of me wanting more lol x
- Jamie Shanks on March 29, 2013 at 9:22 am
  
  Hi Jill! Thanks that means a lot! This recipe doesn’t seem as popular as the liver cake or other treats but I think they are well worth making!
Gemma on January 21, 2013 at 10:19 pm

Lovely how long do they keep?! x
- Jamie Shanks on January 22, 2013 at 7:50 am
  
  Hey Gemma! They should last a good couple of weeks or more if stored correctly, otherwise freeze them if you want longer life!

Newer Comments →