Olives are nutritious fruits packed with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, but can dogs eat olives?
Many food items are a source of confusion for dog owners because they are unable to figure out whether these foods are safe for their pets or not. Olives are one of them. Even though olives are healthy for humans, their suitability for dogs is debatable, which is why we will analyze, with facts, whether they cause more benefit or harm.
Simply put, dogs can eat olives, but they should eat them in moderation. Let’s find out more about it.
What Happens If a Dog Eats Olives?
You don’t need to worry if your dog eats an olive or two, but you must be careful if you plan to add olives to your dog’s diet. Olives are rich in salt and fat, and an excess of either can harm your dog’s health.
Alongside this, testing your dog for allergies is very important- you never know, your dog may be allergic to olives! So, start by giving your dog a single olive, and wait for at least 30 minutes to see if they show a reaction. If your dog is allergic to olives, you will see hives, red spots, vomiting, and other symptoms of nausea.
This little experiment will allow you to figure out if your dog can consume olives safely. However, dogs should not be fed olives regularly, even if they aren’t allergic to this Mediterranean delicacy.
Can Olives Be Dangerous for Dogs?
Olives are nutrient-dense fruits that are high in salt. This makeup can prove to be harmful to dogs. Some of the risks are:
1. Can Increase Blood Pressure
As olives contain a large amount of sodium, eating them may increase your dog’s blood pressure. Unfortunately, High blood pressure may cause extreme symptoms such as seizures, nose bleeds, and blindness.
2. Increases The Risk of Heart Disease
Due to the high quantity of sodium, olives can increase the risk of heart disease in dogs. Some olives, such as black olives, have less salt than green olives, but feeding an excess of any olives is harmful to our canine friends.
3. May Cause Pancreatitis
Alongside the high sodium levels, olives are rich in fats. Although they are healthy fats, consuming an excess of anything is not recommended. Consuming a lot of olives can lead to excessive weight gain, which causes dogs to develop diseases such as Pancreatitis. Even relatively fit dogs can develop this disease if they constantly consume high-fat foods.
Pancreatitis is caused by an inflammation in the Pancreas. It causes your dog to become lethargic and nauseous. Its apatite may decrease, and it might have abdominal pain and diarrhea. If you notice such symptoms, dog owners must immediately take their pets to a professional because Pancreatitis can be fatal in dogs.
4. Your Dog May Be Allergic
Olives are not naturally toxic but can be allergens for many dogs. Therefore, it is imperative to test your dog by feeding it just one olive in the beginning to check whether it can tolerate it. You must immediately stop and take your dog to a veterinarian if a reaction occurs.
5. Choking Hazard
Olive pits are a choking hazard for dogs. An olive pit is a hard stone that covers the olive seed and should be removed before you feed an olive to your dog.
Even if the pit is removed, dogs can choke on olives, especially if your dog is of a small size. Dogs generally have trouble eating vegetables because their teeth cannot grind them well. In the case of small dogs, extreme precautions should be taken.
The best way to feed olives to a dog is to remove the pit and slice the olive vertically so you have two long slices. Don’t cut the olive in the middle, as round food items are the number one choking hazard for babies and dogs.
How Can Olives Benefit Dogs?
While there are many risks of feeding olives to dogs, it is a myth that olives are poisonous to canines and that they cannot be fed olives at all. Including a moderate quantity of olives in your dog’s diet can also benefit them as they are not naturally toxic.
Here are some ways in which olives can have a good impact on your dog:
1. Source of Minerals
Olives have dietary minerals such as calcium, copper, and iron. Dogs require these minerals to strengthen their bones, improve their bodies’ blood circulation and promote growth, especially in their fur. While olives cannot be the primary source of these minerals for dogs, they help. Ask your vet and add the recommended amount of olives to your dog’s diet.
2. Rich in Vitamins
Olives are rich in vitamins such as vitamins K and E. If fed occasionally, these vitamins improve bodily functions and boost the immune system. They also help in reducing inflammation and cholesterol in dogs.
3. Contains Healthy Fats
Olives are a source of healthy fats for dogs that come under triglycerides and monounsaturated fats. These include fats such as omega-3 fatty acid, which positively impacts dogs’ circulatory systems and decreases their cholesterol.
Which Type Of Olives Can Dogs Eat?
There are around 2000 types of olives on Earth. They differ in salt content but are equally harmful when fed in large amounts. For example, olives such as the Kalamata olives and Black Olives have less sodium than Black Olives, but excessively consuming them can be dangerous.
Can Dogs Eat Olive Oil?
Just like olives, olive oil also has its pros and cons. While some dogs benefit from its inclusion in their diet, some may have to face problems after eating it.
When given in small proportions, olive oil can benefit many dogs as it improves their immune system and is considered a good source of energy for dogs. It is also said that olive oil positively impacts their coat and skin while also preventing cognitive decline.
Most importantly, replacing vegetable or canola oil with olive oil to cook dog food does wonders for their health. Dogs lose weight after eating food cooked in olive oil compared to other non-healthy oils.
These benefits go hand in hand with a few drawbacks; firstly, olive oil might not suit the gastrointestinal tracts of some dog breeds, and they might end up vomiting. Secondly, some dogs may be allergic to olive oil. Olive oil is also rich in fats which may lead to heart disease and Pancreatitis.
Final Verdict for Can Dogs Eat Olives? Facts and Myths
Can dogs eat olives? Well yes!
Olives are a great source of nutrients for dogs. However, only a moderate amount of olives should be fed to dogs as an excess can be dangerous.
A rule of thumb for dog owners is if unsure, consult the vet. Therefore, you should always consult your veterinarian when adding any form of olives to your dog’s diet, and in case your dog does not react well to olives, do not try to feed it again.
