Can Dogs Eat Olives?

If you have a dog, you know how much they love to eat just about anything, and introducing new foods to them is a delight! You think of fresh olives and instantly think of the green, pitted orbs with great nutritional content. Olives are a healthy treat that can be given to your furry friend — but as dog owners, we should know if any olives should not be shared. Should olives be fed to our canine friends regularly? Read on for answers to all your questions about which olives can be given to dogs and which should not.

What are Olives?

Traditionally, olives are a type of fruit that is usually green and fleshy. Olives come from the olive tree native to the Mediterranean region. There are different varieties of olives famous as people's food. Most common are green olives, which is its color when unripe, but they turn black olives when they ripen. 

What are the Health Benefits of Olives?

Olives are full of antioxidants, they are high in vitamin E and other vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin K. They also are rich in monounsaturated fats and essential fatty acids, which are healthy for dogs. These can help lower the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. 

Olives are one of the healthiest foods on the planet for human health and your dog's health. Due to their essential nutrients, olives may boost your dog’s immune system and brain function, improve bone health and heart health, reduce cholesterol levels, and prevent various cancers. Olives are a great addition to your dog’s diet. 

Are Olives Safe for Dogs?

The good news is, yes, olives are safe for dogs. There's no reason why you shouldn't give your dog an olive or two as a treat. They are nutritious and tasty. Olives are safe for dogs in small quantities and when given appropriately. There are many types of olives, but the best type of olive to feed your dog is plain olives without any salt.

The olive pits are another story, though. This hard pit is a choking hazard and may cause issues to your dog's digestive system if he swallows it whole or your dog chews on it and breaks off pieces that get stuck inside him.

What Kind of Olives Can Dogs Eat?

The short answer to "Can dogs eat olives?" is a yes but only in moderation. Although there are different varieties of olive, we should remember to give them only the plain and unsalted ones. Here's are some of the popular type of olives that dogs can eat:

Green Olives

The popular color of olives is determined by when olives are picked. Green olives are unripe and firmer and have a more bitter taste than Black Olives. Dogs can eat Green olives as long as they are plain and unsalted. We should look into salt since we do not want our dogs to consume too much sodium.

Black Olives

Black olives are ripe ones. Like green olives, dogs can certainly eat this black variety as long as they are plain and unsalted olives. As always, you must avoid any food with high salt content for your dog.

Kalamata Olives

Kalamata olives are a popular variety of olive grown in Greece. They are usually large and meaty, with a purple-black color ranging from very dark to light brown. You can give your dogs some as long as they do not have the pits and are unsalted.

Are Olives Bad for Dogs?

Dogs can safely consume olives. These fruits are healthy for dogs, but like all foods, too much can cause health problems. Ingesting the pit can also cause some digestive issues. On the other hand, moldy olives, or any food with mold on it, contain harmful toxins like tremorgenic mycotoxins that can cause your pet to have tremors or seizures. 

Canned or pickled olives contain high levels of sodium and can lead to dehydration, seizures, and other health problems in dogs. You should avoid food with too much salt in general as it may increase blood pressure and kidney failure.

Stuffed olives usually contain garlic cloves, anchovies, blue cheese, or feta cheese which are all unsuitable for canines. As pet owners, you should avoid giving your canine companion olives in any alcoholic beverage since alcohol is highly toxic for dogs.

How Much Olives Can Dogs Eat?

Dogs can eat olives in moderation; it's a healthy snack they can enjoy! There's no need to worry about giving your dog an occasional treat of olives as long as you remove the pit and the olive is unsalted. It's best to limit your dog's olive consumption to one or two occasionally.

When introducing new food to your pup for the first time, the safest way is to give a small piece and check for any adverse reactions. This is especially important to owners who have dogs with sensitive stomachs. Olive allergy for dogs occurs, but it is rare. We should also remember that although olives are not toxic for puppies and small dogs, the dogs' size means that they could choke on an olive pit or get sick from eating too many at once.

Here are some dog treats infused with olives that your pet can enjoy:

OlviPet Healthy Bites

OlviPet Healthy Bites is a nutrient-dense blend of extra virgin olive oil, chia seeds, and pumpkin seeds. It's the delicious flavor your pup will love with the added benefits of additional immunity, and your dog's teeth and breath will be fresher.

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OlviPet Healthy Bites Twists

This OlviPet Healthy Bites Twists - Pea and Chicken Flavor is made out of extra virgin olive oil, chia, and pumpkin seed blend making sure that your dog will get healthy fats. Your dog will surely love it because of its pea and chicken flavor.

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Takeaway

Adding olives to your dog's diet is a good idea. An olive or two can be an occasional dog treat due to its good fats and other health benefits. In the end, many dog owners will enjoy giving their dogs a few olives in small amounts, especially if they love sharing some human foods here and there with their pup. As long as you take care to remove the pits and choose unsalted options, it's a safe, healthy snack for your pup! You can also try dog treats infused with olive, specifically made, such as OlviPet Healthy Bites and OlviPet Healthy Bites Twists.