You are already aware that pizza is toxic to dogs, and you have done well to keep your take-out out of reach of those beseeching puppy eyes.
Can dogs eat olives? Dogs can eat olives but avoid the complexities associated with stuffing, pickling, or other processing techniques. We will also avoid raw olives since they are very bitter and are not good for you or your dog.
Now someone has ordered Papa John’s The Works, ‘which includes a generous amount of plump black olives among the toppings. However, what if you are not a lover of olives? And they’re simply there on the plate, abandoned, while your pet drools.
You may be asking whether dogs can eat olives in this situation. Are they harmful to dogs? Have they joined the expanding list of human delicacies that have been declared off-limits to dogs, which already includes raisins and chocolate? Should dogs consume black olives in preference to green olives, or vice versa? And what about olive oil?
Regrettably, the solution is not straightforward in this instance. However, since we all want the best for our dogs, it’s always prudent to conduct a comprehensive examination of any food we may provide them to guarantee their optimum health.
After all, dogs seldom pay attention to what they eat, therefore it is up to us as owners to make healthy choices for them.
Can Dogs Consume Olives?
Numerous publications now suggest olives, especially olive oil, as helpful to a dog’s health. The issue is that the majority of publications on the topic reference studies conducted on people and apply it to dogs.
It is well-known that dogs and humans have quite distinct physiologies. What is appropriate for one person is not always appropriate for another. Thus, although olives and olive oil may have a variety of medicinal benefits for people, the true nature of their effects on dogs has not been well researched.
Therefore, in order to get a better understanding of whether dogs can eat olives, we must set aside the hype and conduct an in-depth examination of what olives are composed of.
To do this, we’ll begin with the plain olives we purchase at the supermarket, avoiding the complexities associated with stuffing, pickling, or other processing techniques. We will also avoid raw olives since they are very bitter and are not good for you or your dog.
Bear in mind that there is little nutritional difference between a black and a green olive. A green olive was simply plucked before it matured off the tree.
Olive Facts
Olives (scientific name Olea Europaea) are oval-shaped fruit that is prized for their delectable flavor and great nutritional value.
Olives are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats, all of which have a variety of health advantages for humans.
This miraculous fruit may aid in the reduction of cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as the prevention of heart disease and some malignancies.
Additionally, olives aid with digestion, decrease inflammation, calm allergic responses, and provide protection from infection.
The olive fruit originated in Asia Minor and migrated to the Mediterranean area about 6000 years ago, making it one of the world’s oldest cultivated plants today.
Olive trees have a life expectancy of up to 1,500 years. The world’s oldest tree is thought to be on the Greek island of Crete and is over 3,000 years old.
Spain is the world’s largest olive grower, followed by Italy, Greece, and Turkey.
Olives are a staple of Mediterranean cuisine, often appearing in salads, pizzas, and tapenade.
There are over 2,000 kinds of olives produced worldwide, but the two most common are green and black olives.
But how do green and black olives differ?
Green olives are plucked before they mature, while black olives are left on the tree to ripen.
Olives, on the other hand, are fruit that can not be eaten raw due to their very bitter flavor, necessitating a curing procedure to make them palatable.
However, are olives OK to share with our dogs, or are they toxic to canines?
Olives’ Health Benefits for Dogs
Fiber
We can see from the nutritional breakdown above that many macro and micronutrients are beneficial for dogs. For starters, 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of green olives include a significant amount of fiber.
However, there is no precise recommendation for the amount of fiber your dog should consume daily based on its size and activity level. This is because fiber is not considered necessary for dogs and should typically account for just a small portion of their diet.
Nonetheless, the National Research Council indicates that fermentable fibers may help dogs’ blood glucose levels and immune system function. In contrast, non-fermentable fibers may help an overweight dog consume fewer calories.
Thus, the little quantity of fiber in olives is probably within your dog’s healthy range.
Minerals
Olives include a number of highly promising minerals. To begin, there is arguably the most critical nutrient in your dog’s diet, and that is iron. The iron content in 100 grams of canned black olives is 6.28 milligrams.
That is pretty close to the suggested dosage of 7.5 g for an adult dog of average size weighing about 33 pounds.
Additionally, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and copper are present. All of these minerals are beneficial to dogs in the appropriate quantities.
Indeed, zinc deficiency is one of the most frequent nutritional deficits in dogs. However, the required daily dose of zinc for dogs weighing about 33 pounds is 15 milligrams, and as we can see, 100 grams of black olives fall well short of it. Nonetheless, every ounce matters.
Vitamins
While olives do provide vitamins that dogs need for good health, the majority of them are in insufficient amounts to having a noticeable effect on your dog’s nutritional requirements.
Vitamin E is a noteworthy exception. 100 mg of green olives provide approximately 4 mg of vitamin E, which is nearly half of the daily need for an average dog. That is quite an accomplishment!
However, Should I Feed Olives to My Dog?
With all that iron and vitamin E, you may be thinking if it’s not worth it to include a handful of olives in your pup’s dinner. Indeed, many individuals already include olive oil as a source of fatty acids in their homemade dog foods.
However, this is where the rubber meets the road. The nasty thing in olives mostly acts as a counterbalance to the good stuff.
Let’s begin with fat. There is a lot of hype around good and bad fats, and olives are often lauded for their high content of monounsaturated fats, sometimes known as omega-9, or oleic acid.
Oleic acid is often praised as beneficial for the skin, heart, and blood sugar, and much research confirms these statements.
To be clear, this research includes human subjects.
The issue is that it is unclear what it does for dogs. Indeed, others contend that omega-9 has no discernible benefit for dogs.
On the other hand, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are highly recommended as necessary fatty acids for dogs in a ratio of 5-1 to 10-1. fish oil, krill oil, and flaxseed are all excellent sources of these essential oils for dogs.
So, Are Olives Really Harmful To Dogs?
In a nutshell, yes.
While the olive may have certain redeeming qualities that your dog may benefit from, there are many risks associated with olive eating.
The first factor to consider is the sodium content.
A dog’s diet should include between 0.25 and 1.5 grams of salt per 100 grams of the food. This implies that 100 g of green olives have the maximum quantity of salt that a dog may consume.
While a dog would need to consume much more than that to be poisoned, it is still not ideal. Excessive salt consumption may result in dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The second thing to consider is what may accompany the olives.
Olives are cured in a number of different methods. Among them are water, brine, seawater, and lye. Obviously, due to their high sodium content, lye and saltwater or brine should be avoided.
Unsalted olives cured in water, on the other hand, maybe completely safe for your dog. Although there may be more nutritious options available.
The pit is another possible hazard. An ingested pit may suffocate a tiny dog or get lodged in the digestive system of a puppy.
What Are The Various Types Of Olives?
There are approximately 500 kinds of olives worldwide. Although there is an infinite number of olive varieties, there are a few that you are likely to see in shops.
Typically, you will have access to the following olives:
- Olives noires (which are really just green olives that have been cured)
- Nicoise (black/purple)
- Kalymnos (dark purple)
- The picholine (green)
- Cure Moroccan (black)
- The Cerignola (green)
Always be mindful of the kind of olive you are giving your puppy, as this will assist you in avoiding any possible hazards.
Are Green Olives Safe for Dogs to Eat?
AVOID GREEN OLIVES WHEN COMING IN CONNECTION WITH GARLIC AND ONION
Green olives are completely safe for our puppies to consume. This kind of olive has the same nutritional value as black olives but is not cured in the same way.
Because green olives are often seasoned with a variety of tastes and additives, it’s critical to choose only those that adhere to the safety standards outlined above.
For instance, some green olives are seasoned in a jar with garlic and onion pieces. Due to the fact that both onion and garlic are poisonous to dogs, this is a very hazardous food for them to eat. Green olives are okay for your dog to consume as long as you are careful about selecting a safe olive choice.
Take care not to consume seasoned green olives that include onion or garlic. These are poisonous to dogs.
Are Black Olives Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Steer clear of black olives seasoned with salt and pepper.
Yes, dogs are permitted to consume black olives. Back olives are identical to green olives but have undergone a lengthier curing procedure. Simply ensure that the black olives are natural and unsalted since many canned olives are laced with salt.
Black olives that have been infused with taste and salt may irritate our animal companions’ stomachs.
Avoid black olives that have been salted or seasoned.
Is Kalamata Olives Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Steer clear of Kalamata Olives With Pits
Dogs may consume Kalamata olives as long as certain guidelines are followed. Assure that you only provide pitted Kalamata olives to your puppy and that you only give them a little quantity at a time. Kalamata olives have more salt than black olives, therefore they should be used sparingly.
What About Olives That Have Been Stuffed?
While dogs may consume both black and green olives as long as they are unsalted and without the pit, fillings can be harmful to your dog’s health.
Allium poisoning is prevalent in dogs who consume an excessive amount of garlic or onion. Indeed, the AKC advises owners to avoid both. Therefore, it is better to avoid any garlic or onion olive filling to avoid poisoning your dog.
Green olives filled with pimentos, on the other hand, are completely fine for your dog to consume. However, be careful to feed them in moderation.
What Happens to a Dog Who Consumes Olives?
If your dog obtained a package of olives and ate them all, it is probably not the end of the world. Unsalted olives that are devoid of garlic, onions, and pits are completely safe for your dog.
However, if your dog does swallow a pit, check the teeth for chipping first. Then, watch for indications of intestinal distress, such as vomiting or a refusal to eat.
Similarly, if you think your dog consumed an excessive amount of garlic and onion from your Mediterranean plate, contact your veterinarian for guidance.
Recipes With Olives For Dogs
Dog Biscuits with Olive Oil
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats, rolled
- 2 cups unbleached whole wheat flour (chickpea flour or gluten-free flour can be substituted)
- 12 cups germinated wheat (optional for gluten-free recipe)
- 2 hefty eggs
- Sunflower seeds 2 tbsp
- 12 cup pureed bananas or pumpkin
- 1/tsp cinnamon
- 13 cup olive oil extra virgin
Water is used to bind the dough (beef, chicken, or vegetable stock can be substituted)
Directions
Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Get a sheet pan with tinfoil or parchment paper
All wet components should be combined: pumpkin puree, olive oil, and egg.
Combine the flour, wheat, oats, sunflower seed, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.
Combine the wet and dry components. Form a firm dough. As required, add more water or stock.
Knead the dough on a floured surface. On the sheet pan, roll about 14 “thick.
Shape the dough as desired and arrange the pieces on the parchment paper.
40-60 minutes in the oven. The biscuits should be firm and crispy to the touch.
Allow the cookies to cool before allowing your dog to dive in!
Conclusion
Although olives are a delectable treat for humans, they are not very healthy for dogs. Nonetheless, a few olives that are simple, unsalted, and pitted are fine for your dog to consume. However, it is better to avoid components linked with olives, such as onion, salt, and garlic for your pet.
As with everything else in life and with your dog, moderation is essential.
