Mary Allen
So many culinary delights from all over the world. First of all, someone should keep an overview of what is good and what can be harmful.
In addition to understanding your own diet, as a dog owner you regularly ask yourself: Can my dog do that? Can my dog eat olives – yes, no, maybe, only black ones?
In this article we explain whether olives are suitable for feeding dogs and what you should pay attention to.
In a nutshell: Can my dog eat olives?
Yes, dogs can eat olives! Olives are not harmful to dogs, quite the opposite. The nutrients they contain make them a popular snack for puppies and adult dogs. Olives do not contain any toxins that would be dangerous for dogs.
However, olives do not make up a large part of a dog’s diet. Feel free to feed them as an occasional snack.
Olive & dog: does that go together?
Honestly, did you think you could give your dog olives?
No? We neither!
But sometimes you are taught a better lesson and so we all benefit – one from the knowledge, the other from the nutrients.
Dogs and olives are similar to us humans: you love them or you hate them. It is therefore possible that your dog will not even touch the Mediterranean fruit. If they do, feel free to offer them some of the small drupes from time to time.
Below you will find out what you have to pay attention to when feeding olives, because not all olives are the same.
Olive for the dog: black or green?
The answer is very simple: dogs are only allowed to eat black or purple-brown olives!
How so?
Because the greens aren’t ripe yet! If they were not bathed in water several times to flush the bitter substances out of the fruit, they would actually be inedible for the human palate.
Attention danger!
The black olives are often little scammers! Commercially available “black” olives are sometimes colored with sodium hydroxide and ferrous gluconate, but are actually not yet ripe! This is largely harmless for us humans, but there is a hidden health risk for dogs.
How healthy are olives actually?
Olives are pretty healthy, you have to give them that!
They provide a whole lot of valuable vitamins and minerals, as you will find out below.
- Vitamin A
- All B vitamins
- vitamin E
- vitamin k
- magnesium
- phosphorus
- calcium
- potassium
- sodium
Good to know:
There are foods with favorable and less favorable concentrations of phosphorus and calcium. The calcium content should predominate in the diet of dogs, which often only happens in a meat-based diet through an external supply of nutrients. The nutrient composition in olives is almost optimal for this!
How can I feed my dog olives?
You already know that only the really black, ripe olives are good for your dog to eat.
It is also important to remove the stone fruit stone beforehand. On the one hand, your dog could choke on it and there is a risk of suffocation, on the other hand, the stones can lead to a dangerous intestinal obstruction.
Of course, you only feed your dog olives occasionally and then in small amounts. Rather think of them as a special treat, not a regular snack for your woof.
Tip:
It makes sense for both you and your dog to buy organic food whenever possible and thus avoid using pesticides and other harmful substances.
Can dogs eat pickled olives?
Here there is a clear no!
Olives are often pickled in brine or oil, which is quite unhealthy for your dog. Too much salt affects your dog’s health in a number of ways.
If your dog has consumed too much salt, it will show up as vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, muscle tremors, and seizures. The gastrointestinal tract suffers a lot and there is a risk of dehydration.
Can dogs eat stuffed olives?
No, stuffed olives are not an option for your dog’s diet. Whether filled with cream cheese or garlic.
What about canned olives?
Also harmful for your dog and therefore taboo! Pickled fruit is often high in salt and sodium, preservatives, colorings and flavorings, and other ingredients that can be harmful to dogs.
Do olives make you fat?
Yes! Especially the ones that are preserved in oil.
Since olives are naturally very high in fat, additional oil is completely beyond the scope!
If your dog is already a few pounds overweight or tends to be, you should ban olives from his bowl altogether.
Can dogs eat olive oil?
Yes, cold-pressed olive oil is healthy and well-tolerated for dogs. It contains plenty of vitamin E, ensures a healthy and shiny coat, and strengthens the immune system.
We recommend that you mix some oil into your dog’s food every day. The amount will of course vary depending on the size and weight of your dog.
The dog’s body cannot produce polyunsaturated fatty acids on its own, but omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are of fundamental importance for your dog!
The more omega-3 and the less omega-6 fatty acids the oil contains, the better for your dog! They are found in particularly favorable concentrations in linseed, hemp, and salmon oil.
It is best to vary the amount of oil you give!
Attention danger!
Too much olive oil can quickly lead to diarrhea!
Can olives cause allergies?
Yes, olives can also cause allergic reactions. As a rule, however, these occur relatively rarely.
To find out if your dog tolerates olives, you can first give him half an olive and then wait 24 hours to see if he gets it.
If you find that your dog is not doing well, it is better to contact a veterinarian. A single olive won’t harm your dog though!
In short: can dogs eat olives?
Yes, dogs can eat olives!
But only the REALLY black ones! Some supposedly black olives on the market are only colored to simulate ripeness. In this case, it is not dangerous for us two-legged friends, for dogs unripe fruit can lead to gastrointestinal problems and symptoms of poisoning.
Only feed your dog pitted, natural olives – preferably organic.
Occasionally your dog is allowed to snack on a few olives. However, they are not suitable for regular feeding.
Do you have any questions about feeding olives? Then just write us a comment under this article.