Can dogs eat olives? Yes, dogs can eat olives. Olives are not toxic to dogs and provide numerous nutritional benefits for canines, including vitamin E, copper, and iron.
So, are all types of olives safe for dogs to eat? What about other olive products, such as olive oil and canned olives? Are they safe for dogs too? Read on to find out the answers.
Can dogs have olives?
Olives are a good nutrient booster for dogs. It is rich in healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants. A good amount of essential nutrients can be found in olives, including vitamins A, E, and K, as well as minerals like potassium and calcium.
Olives: Health benefits for dogs:
- Help overweight dogs lose weight.
- Promote good brain functions and improve cognitive health.
- Enhance and maintain healthy skin and a shiny coat.
- Lessen inflammation in the body.
- Promote a healthy digestive tract and good digestion.
- Boost the immune system and hinder the development of illnesses.
- Improve blood circulation and reduce blood pressure.
- Lower cholesterol levels and prevent heart diseases.
Are olives bad for dogs in any way?
Olives are safe for dogs so long as they are served in moderation. It is a bad idea to overfeed your furry companion with this fruit. It is a high-fat treat that can cause stomach upset if excessively consumed by your dog. If you allow him to eat olives frequently, he will risk developing pancreatitis, gastroenteritis, and obesity.
How many olives should dogs eat?
Do not give your dog more than two olives a day to prevent health problems from cropping up. Make sure to avoid sudden changes in your dog’s diet. Dogs have sensitive stomachs, and it takes time for them to adjust.
Feed olives in small quantities. You can give him half a piece or one piece of the fruit on the first day. Then wait and see if he experiences stomach problems.
It would often take twenty-four hours for the symptoms to manifest. If your dog does have an upset stomach, hold off giving him olives until he recovers. Serve it in a smaller quantity next time to avoid triggering stomach problems.
What kinds of olives are safe for dogs to eat?
There are hundreds of varieties of olives that exist, and so do food products containing this fruit. Some of these make good treats for dogs, while others will only endanger their health. Let’s take a look at whether the kinds of olives listed below are good for your pet.
Despite the hundreds of olive varieties out there, most of us know the two types—black olives and green olives.
Can dogs eat black olives?
Yes, black olives are good for your dog. If possible, choose black olives that are unsalted and unseasoned. Remove the pits before serving them to your dog. Also, remember to observe portion control when serving black olives to your dog.
Can dogs eat green olives?
Yes, dogs can eat green olives. Give him green olives that are unsalted and unseasoned as a healthy treat. If you opt to include green olives in Fido’s meals, serve them plain and pitted. Always set a limit on how many pieces he can eat.
Can dogs eat olive pits?
No, olive pits are very dangerous for dogs. They have a hard exterior, which can damage your dog’s teeth. It is also a choking hazard and a potential stomach obstruction, especially for small dog breeds.
These conditions can turn deadly if your dog is not given immediate vet treatment. Dogs with stomach blockage usually end up needing emergency surgery to remove the obstruction from their digestive tract. Therefore, always make it a habit to remove the pits before feeding your dog with olives.
Can dogs eat raw olives?
Yes, raw olives are not toxic and can be fed to dogs, but they are an acquired taste. Don’t be surprised if your dog doesn’t like raw olives since they taste bitter when freshly picked. A compound called oleuropein gives raw olives their bitter-tasting flavor.
That is why you don’t see raw olives being sold in the market. Most olives we get from the supermarket are cured in brine, caustic soda, oil, salt, or water.
Always opt for fresh olives as old ones may grow molds, which produce tremorgenic mycotoxins that are poisonous to dogs. Also, choose organically grown olives, as they are safer and healthier because of their low exposure to harmful chemicals such as pesticides. Don’t forget to remove the pits before giving raw olives to your dog.
Can dogs eat cooked olives?
Cooked olives are safe for dogs if they do not contain additional ingredients. Those pickled or seasoned with spices and stuffed with cheese, chilis, chives, garlic, lemon, and onion should be avoided.
If he ingests olives with these ingredients, your dog may suffer from digestive problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. In the worst-case scenario, he may end up experiencing severe toxicity.
Can dogs eat canned olives?
Most of the olives that we see in the supermarket are canned. Canned olives are often soaked in brine or saltwater. They have large amounts of sodium, which is unhealthy for dogs.
For instance, the sodium content of a small olive soaked in brine is 24 mg, and pooches only need 10 to 13 mg of sodium per day. Avoid feeding pickled olives to your dog for the same reason.
If a dog has excessive sodium levels in his body, he is in danger of sodium poisoning. It also makes him highly susceptible to renal issues such as kidney stone formation and UTI.
Can dogs have olive oil?
Yes, you can add olive oil to your dog’s meals occasionally. It has lower sodium levels than the fruit, making it a more nutritious option. The recommended amount of olive oil for dogs is one teaspoon for every twenty pounds of their weight.
Do not give olive oil to dogs with pancreatitis, gastroenteritis, and obesity unless advised by the vet. Allowing them to consume olive oil without the vet’s approval might worsen their condition.
How to properly prepare olives for your dog
Feeding olives to your dog: key points to remember:
- Ask the vet’s opinion before incorporating olive oil into your dog’s meals.
- Choose organic olives since they contain fewer chemicals.
- Always opt for fresh olives to prevent putting your dog at risk of mold poisoning.
- Buy pitted olives, but avoid ones soaked in brine as these are high in sodium.
- If the olives you have purchased have pits, remove them by gently crushing them with a knife or meat pounder.
- Remember to avoid overfeeding and always serve olives to your dog in small amounts.
