Olives, the oval-shaped fruit, are known for their zesty taste, being rich in vitamins A, E, and K and containing high amounts of minerals and antioxidants. Besides being a condiment loved by many, the good fats found in olives aid digestion, reduce inflammation, and may even soothe allergic reactions in humans.

Although olives are safe for human consumption, are pets safe if they get ahold of them?

Moderation & Recommendations 

Olives can actually boost your dog’s immune system, lower the risks of certain cancers and heart disease, and improve bone and eye health.  They contain the best type of monounsaturated fatty acids, which help the canine body break down fat cells to maintain a healthy weight and can promote healthy skin and coat.

Olives Also Nourish Brain Function

Green olives are picked earlier than black olives, but there is no difference in their nutritional content yet. Green olives, as well as Kalamata, have a slightly higher sodium content than their darker counterparts. 

The key to feeding olives to your dog is moderation, and the olive must be properly cured, plain and unsalted.   

Not toxic to dogs in small quantities, there are risks to be aware of in terms of olives. Your veterinarian may recommend better snack choices for your canine pal that offer the same benefits. While the oil from olives provides many positive health benefits, moderation is again key to effectiveness. Dogs should be fed no more than one teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil per 20 lbs. of bodyweight.

Risks of Olive Consumption by Pets

While the olive itself does not contain toxins, the pits can result in choking or obstruction hazards.  If the pit gets stuck in your pet, it can block his or her airway or lodge in your pooch’s intestinal tract.  Additionally, pits can crack teeth!

Olives are too bitter to be eaten directly from the tree, so they typically go through a curing process to make them edible. To accomplish this, salt and seasonings are added to the olives, and too much salt can cause dehydration and raise blood pressure in our companion animals. Typically, canned or pickled olives contain excessive amounts of sodium. 

Additionally, some olives are stuffed with garlic, jalapenos, pimentos, anchovies, or blue cheese, all of which are not good for dogs.

Also, it is important to be aware of olives that have been marinating in a cocktail as the alcohol ingested could be harmful to your pet if he or she consumes several olives. However, the greatest danger is the toothpick the olive was attached to!

What to Do?

If your canine best friend consumes a quantity of olives, contact your veterinarian at once. Provide as much information to your vet as you can as to whether the olives contained pits and what other ingredients are listed on the label.

Dogs may experience digestive upset, stomach pain, or diarrhea from consuming too many olives. While other ingredients may cause complications too. The lesson is to read labels carefully and limit your pet’s intake of, or prevent altogether, anything that may cause harm.  However, accidents happen, in which case having an active dog insurance policy may be able to help.