Can Dogs Eat Olives? Health Benefits For Pets

Quick Summary

• Because they are not toxic to canines, olives can be eaten by dogs but only in moderation.
• Olives have vitamin A and E, omega-three fatty, and small dietary minerals, like copper, calcium, and iron—all of which help boost a dog’s immune system, improve bone structure, and give a healthier skin and fur.
• Avoid giving your dog olives from a jar or tin with brine as these have a high sodium content. Remove the pits first before feeding your dog olives, and avoid olives stuffed with ingredients you aren’t sure of. In short, go for plain, pitted, unsalted olives for dogs.
• Olives are still relatively high in fat. So if your dog already has a high-fat diet, or has weight issues, avoiding olives altogether is your best course of action.

The question can dogs eat olives is odd but the answer is technically yes. Olives as fruit are not toxic to dogs, so they can be safe to consume in small quantities—and provided they are plain, pitted, unsalted.

Olives have several vitamins and minerals which are important to human health. If fed a balanced diet, dogs would not need additional nutrients provided by green olives, but they can be an occasional good food. My dogs love the taste of fresh olives but I only give it to them as a rare treat. Moreover, since they are high in fat and salt, I only give them to my dogs in small quantities. High-fat diets can be risky for dogs as they impact your dog’s ability to digest food and nutrients.

What are Olives?

Olives come from the olive tree, common in the Mediterranean, Mexican, and Asian regions. It is no wonder then they are the main ingredient in Mediterranean foods and one of the main export crops for Greece, Turkey, and Morocco. The antioxidants and vitamins present within olives give significant benefits, and some studies have even found that they prevent bone brittleness. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for dogs whose system runs differently. They are not toxic to dogs but have a high fat and too much salt. That means they should not be given regularly to your furry friends because these diet types put your dog at risk for pancreatitis. Unfortunately, this illness affects the dog’s ability to digest food and other nutrients.

Nutrients in Green Olives with Health Benefits to Dogs

In small quantities, dogs can eat green olives that are not salted as they offer nutritional benefits. That being said, there are a few nutrients that can help your dog’s health. The dog can absorb different essential vitamins from eating black olives in small quantities. These include vitamin A and E. Both of these assist with regulating body processes and boosting a dog’s immune system. Plain olives also have monounsaturated fats and triglycerides like omega-three fatty acids that would lower the dog’s cholesterol while helping to optimize the circulatory system. Olives have small dietary minerals, like copper, calcium, and iron, which are good for dogs as it helps with their bone structure and stimulates fur growth [1]. Can dogs eat kalamata olives? Yes. They will get the same nutritional value as with green and black olive. Remember to remove olive pits as these can cause blockage in the dog’s digestive tract.

Pancreatitis and Heart Disease

This is also an answer to the question “can dogs eat olives?”. If given to dogs in excess, olives can still cause significant weight gains because of its high fat content—it’s good to know how to help a dog lose weight on such cases. Overweight dogs have a high risk of pancreatitis. Feeding olives to dogs that already have weight issues or are already on a high-fat diet is a bog mistake!

Unfortunately, even fit dogs that rarely consume high-fat meals can also get pancreatitis. Some of the symptoms of this condition include vomiting, fatigue, and an uncomfortable gut. Please go to the vet if your dog starts to experience seizures or tremors because that is a sign that pancreatitis has significantly advanced. Green olives also have high sodium levels [2], which can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease risks in the long term. If you are a fan of fresh olives in your dog’s diet, familiarize yourself with the sodium levels.

Can a Dog Eat Olive Oil?

The short answer is dogs can survive with a small amount. There’s a belief that when dogs eat olive oil, it helps them have a shiny coat. This is why some owners occasionally mix a teaspoon of olive oil with their dog’s food to make them have glossier coats, but that is the extent of the nutritional objective. If your pet is eating a balanced diet, they do not need supplements for their fur thickness. In the same way, as with people, it needs to be done in moderation. Olive oil tends to be heavy on the stomach, and many puppies tend to have sensitive stomachs, so they can get sick after eating olive oil. If your worry is about the thickness or glossiness of the fur, please consult your veterinarian. Thinning air could also be a system of another condition affecting your pup.

Some Dogs are Sensitive

Typically dogs are omnivores as they eat both meat and vegetables given a chance, provided they are not poisonous. Though whether it is gastrointestinal issues, allergies, or another trigger, olives can be trouble for your dog. If your dogs eat black olives, but also have a high-fat diet, more will make them sicker. The first time you give the dog an olive, it should be in small quantities, and you can check their symptoms going forward. If they begin having abdominal pains, thirst, or diarrhea, there is a problem with that diet course, and you should stop.

FAQs

How many olives can dogs eat?

Though it is evident they are not poisonous to dogs, it is advisable to remove an olive pit to avoid harmful toxins. So you can safely feed the dog one or two unsalted olives at a time.

Can dogs eat olives from a jar?

It is advisable to avoid feeding green olives to your dog from a jar or tin with brine as these have a high sodium content. If there is too much sodium in the dog olives, it could eventually lead to heart diseases and seizures.

Can dogs eat black olives?

Dogs can eat black and green olives. They may be high in fat and salt, so they should not be given to dogs on a regular basis. The problem with high-fat diets is that they put your dog at risk for pancreatitis. That will affect the ability of the dog to digest food.

Are stuffed olives bad for dogs?

To be safe, it is not advisable to feed your dog a stuffed olive. Stuffed olives are only safe if everything inside them is safe for your dog.