Olives are a food item that you either love or hate – there is no middle ground for this particular food. A martini is not a martini without two green olives! Did you know that an olive is a fruit and not a vegetable? It surprised us, too.
You love the olives, and you always have at least one jar of these yummy things in your fridge. That’s relatable – because there are so many great meals that taste even better with olives!
Once you started cooking, your dog came around to see what’s up. After a brief consideration of whether you should give some to your pup, you realized that you aren’t sure can dogs eat olives.
Well, we know and we’re about to tell you. So, continue reading to find out can dogs eat olives!
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Can Dogs Eat Olives?
Let’s reveal the mystery right now – dogs can eat olives. It’s safe for dogs to eat olives – green olives, black olives, doesn’t matter. All olives are safe for your dogs!
Olives are not toxic to dogs in any way, but it’s not the greatest idea in the world to feed your dogs a Mediterranean diet. The reason behind it is that olives have far too much sodium, which is unsuitable for a dog s diet.
Fresh olives offer some health benefits to your dog, but fresh olives are hard to find anywhere except the Mediterranean itself. Canned olives are usually soaked in brine before packaging, and they contain high levels of sodium. That level is fine for humans, but dogs? Not so much, because you have to watch your dog’s sodium intake!
Fresh olives – good for dogs, but soaked in brine? You have to be more careful when picking out a jar of olives to give to your dog.
Before you give your pet some olives, make sure to introduce olives to their diet. Do it with either green or black olives. Introducing a food item is important because you can see how your dog reacts to a certain food. Dogs can get food allergies, or be hypersensitive to olives, just like humans can!
To introduce food, start by giving your dogs olives. Maybe not an entire olive, but a small piece, and watch their behavior afterward. If you notice lethargy or that your dog is acting unusually, discontinue giving your dog olives!
Introducing olives to your dog’s diet is also necessary if you want the dog to like olives. Dogs can be put off by new foods, especially if those foods look nothing like meat. Dogs may be omnivores in nature, but they need a lot more meat than veggies to live a happy life!
Serving Olives To Your Dog
All responsible pet parents will do their research about feeding the dog with olives. Your canine companion may not have a good time if you just give your dog olives straight. Follow the guidelines below to make sure your dogs eat black olives safely!
First of all, preparation starts when you’re still in the supermarket. Choose olives that are soaked in low-sodium brine, but if you could find some that are plain unsalted, that would be best. Dog s diet has to consist of as little sodium as possible. Too much sodium in their diet could lead to dehydration, bad cholesterol levels, and even an illness called sodium toxicosis.
Sodium toxicosis is a serious illness, and it’s caused by too much salt ingested by the dog. Even a few olives soaked in regular brine could dehydrate your dog, and feeding your dog with these olives regularly could lead to sodium toxicosis! Besides, too much sodium could give your dog high blood pressure and even lead to heart disease.
Also, make sure that the olives are plain, and without any additional herbs or spices. Foods prepared for humans often contain garlic, which is highly toxic for your dog, as well as hot peppers. If you want your dog to have a good time eating olives, stick to plain olives!
When you finally find that dog-safe jar of olives, make sure to remove the pits. Olive pits are no good for your pup – when the dog tries to chew on them, she can crack a tooth. A cracked tooth can result in a rather expensive visit to the vet!
Let’s talk about the number of olives safe for dogs. If you own a toy or a small-sized dog breed, your dog could get away with one or two olives. If the dog is medium or large-sized, you can give the dog a few black olives, but no more than five.
Can Dogs Eat Olives With Pimentos?
Of course! Dogs can eat green olives, black olives, green olives with pimentos… All is safe! From our experience, dogs eat green olives with the utmost enjoyment, but dogs can enjoy all kinds of olives.
Just make sure that the pimento olives contain pimento, and nothing else. If the olives contain, for example, even trace amounts of hot peppers, avoid giving them to your pet! The same story is when the food contains garlic or onions. We would advise against giving your dog human foods to eat, sticking to commercial dog food is for the best.
Pimento olives can make a good snack or training. Just ensure that you don’t go overboard with the treats. When dosing treats, remember the 10% rule – treats shouldn’t go over 10% of the daily food the dogs eat!
Can Dogs Eat Olive Oil?
Pet owners probably know this, but it could bear repeating. A high-fat diet is bad for dogs and their digestive system. So, a few drops of olive oil will not harm your pet, but it might be best to avoid giving your pet any kind of oil or fat whenever possible, even olive oil. Thankfully, olive oil doesn’t contain too much unsaturated fatty acids, like other vegetable oils do, so it’s not entirely bad for dogs.
Benefits Of Dogs Eating Olives
Whatever benefits the olives may have for your pet, they have it when eaten in moderation. Too many olives are a bad idea because they contain salt! Dogs and olives are a good combo, but not regularly!
They may not be the ideal food source, but they are a source of many good nutrients like vitamin E, A, and K. Vitamin E is important for your pup’s healthy skin, fur coat, and nails.
Furthermore, green olives have a little more antioxidants than the black variety. Antioxidants help protect the skin from dangerous free radicals, thus preventing cancer!
Minerals found in olives boost the dog’s immune system and help prevent heart illness. These important minerals also have a role in maintaining good bone health. Healthy fats found in olives help keep the dog’s health in good condition!
What Happens If The Dogs Eat One Olive Too Many?
People tend to start panicking as soon as they see that the dog has eaten so many olives. Try your best to stay calm, and watch the dog’s reaction. If the dog seems dehydrated, drinks a lot of water, or urinates too frequently, visit the emergency vet as soon as possible.
On the other hand, if the dog has symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea, give them something to soothe the tummy woes. If the symptoms persist for longer than three days, consult the vet about some medication that could help.
Bottom Line
To conclude, dogs can eat olives, and they are perfectly safe eating them! An olive or two is safe for our pet, but as long as they are consumed from time to time, and not regularly.
Even one olive can contain too much sodium for your pet’s liking. Be careful not to give your pet too much, though! This yummy fruit is good only when the dog eats a few!
