Olive oil is so great addition to the human diet, that many dog owners ask themselves – is olive oil safe for dogs?
Well, yes! Not only that it is safe for your canine to taste this nectar of gods, but he can also get many benefits from this healthy liquid.
However, just like with any other foods, having too much can lead to numerous health issues.
Check the major benefits of giving olive oil to your dog and what you should be careful about.
Reasons to Add Olive Oil to Your Dog’s Diet
Before you make any change to your dog’s diet, make sure that you check with your veterinarian first. After all, there is no substitute for professional veterinary advice.
As for dogs and olive oil, you should know that olive oil can actually have many health benefits for your dog. Here is how olive oil can boost your dog’s health.
Olive Oil Is Good For Dogs Skin And Coat
Do you have a package of commercial food in your home now? If so, check the label part. If not, make sure that you do this the next time you go shopping for high-quality dog food.
When you check the label part, you will see how much effort the brand puts to show how much their food is rich in fatty acids.
Sounds fancy right – fatty acids? However, what they tend to miss here is to say that these fatty acids are simply olive oil.
Yes, in a way, they just add a tablespoon to your dog’s food, which is something that you do as well.
For a meal you can serve your Fido dry food mixed with cooked carrot, and add a tablespoon of olive oil to make it juicer – you will be surprised to see just how fast this food will disappear.
Olive oil contains phytonutrients, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids that are directly responsible for keeping your dog’s skin moisturized and well-nourished.
As expected, these nutrients can make your dog’s coat shinier. Moreover, these acids can strengthen their hair. Do not apply olive oil directly on the dog’s coat – the real health comes from the inside.
Plus, the dog will definitely try to lick it, or a cat if you have one, and there will be a mess inside the house. Don’t believe us? Apply olive oil to your hair and see what happens.
If your dog has extremely dry skin, add a teaspoon of olive oil to his food regularly. Extra virgin olive oil has lower acidity.
2. Olive Oil Can Help Your Dog Maintain Healthy Body Weight
Once you get a dog home you are directly responsible for his health. Providing the best foods is the very first step toward a healthy and strong dog. Nutrition is everything.
You must know how much you should feed your dog daily, and how often to create the best diet possible.
Dog’s diet works like humans, it should keep them healthy, provide enough strength to move easily, and keep their immune system in balance.
Once you get or adopt a dog, you are directly responsible for his weight.
Obesity in pets is on the rise in the States and as you may know, already obesity leads to many health issues.
If you have any concerns about your dog’s diet or weight, talk to your veterinarian. Luckily, olive oil can help you keep Fido’s weight under control.
By adding a small amount of olive oil to a dog’s food you are actually stimulating the dog’s digestive system because olive oil acts as a laxative.
When giving your dog olive oil for the first time, monitor his reaction carefully – if you notice any signs of vomiting or diarrhea, avoid giving him olive oil.
3. Olive Oil Can Make Dog’s Food Taste Better
Can you eat a salad without nice and creamy dressing? Or at least with a small spoon of olive oil? Everything tastes better when there is something to put over food.
The same applies to dog food as well. Eating every day dry food can is boring and your dog will show it by refusing food.
If that happens, first add something new, like broccoli, an egg, or a mix of carrot and brussel sprouts – if your dog continues refusing food contact your veterinarian.
Otherwise, a small spoon of olive oil to dry or wet food can do wonders for your dog’s health, and excitement when it comes to food.
If your dog is primarily on dry food, a spoon of olive oil should be frequent.
Other Benefits Of Feeding Your Dog Olive Oil
You can serve both regular olive oil and extra virgin olive oil, as both are great sources of monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, and omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
When introducing an olive dog to your dog it’s important not to go immediately for the cheapest one.
Bear in mind that olive oils labeled as ‘pure’ or ‘light’ are usually made from lower quality olives and heavily refined, which eliminates most of the olive’s nutrients.
On the other hand, high-quality olive oils are extracted from the highest-quality olives and unrefined oil which actually enables high levels of flavor, vitamins, and antioxidants.
All in, olive oil can make your dog’s ordinary food into a tasty treat and make lunchtime more enjoyable.
As mentioned earlier, olive oil comes with many benefits, as listed above. However, there are more benefits of adding olive oil to your dog’s food, including:
- Improved skin
- Joint health
- Immunity boost
- Digestive health
- Extends dog’s life
- Support brain’s strength
- Energy boost
Serving Size
Know which human foods are ok to serve to your dog, and which should be avoided at all costs.
Once you master that, learn how much human food you can serve to your dog. Moreover, learn just how much olive oil you can serve to your canine.
Keep to a small amount and always start small. How to serve olive oil to your dog?
Add a teaspoon (if your dog’s weight is up to 40 pounds) or a tablespoon (if your dog’s weight is up to 90 pounds), to the dog’s food bowl on a daily or a weekly level.
If you want to mix up a bit, you can always switch olive oil with coconut oil or fish oil.
When Is Olive Oil Bad For Dogs?
Although there are many benefits of olive oil to your dog, some dog experts claim that olive oil can have negative effects on a dog’s health.
Moreover, they claim that olive oil might hurt the gastrointestinal tracts of dogs that have very sensitive stomachs.
Again, if you notice a dog having any diarrhea or start vomiting after consuming olive oil, contact your veterinarian. Olive oil also contains lots of fats and calories and can add to your dog’s weight.
If your dog suffers from pancreatitis, you know that extra fat could hurt him.
While olive oil is considered to be healthy, you should still be careful about its consumption, and how it can affect your dog’s diet and overall health.
10 Facts About Olive Oil
- The olive tree is native to the Mediterranean basin
- Scientists claim that olive oil was produced as early as 4000 BC.
- Throughout history, olive oil was used for food, like medicine, soap, skincare, and even lamp fuel
- Olive oil production begins with harvesting the olives; today this process starts by shakers who cause the polives to drop into nets
- The majority of olive oil is produced in Greece, Spain, Tunisia, and Italy
- Producers of olive oil in the States are mostly based in California, Texas, and Hawaii
- A wide range of olive varieties are used in the production of olive oil, including Arbosana, Mission, Leccino, and many more
- The term virgin oil means that oil is chemical-free
- Extra-virgin oil stands for high-quality oil
- The only difference between green olives and black olives is ripeness
The Bottom Line
Making your dog’ diest more diverse is great, as long as you stick to recommended guidelines. Whenever in doubt on what you should serve to your canine, talk to your veterinarian.
If you want to keep serving olive oil to your dog, stick to recommended guidelines.
Again, if you notice that your dog has some issues after tasting olive oil make sure that you monitor him carefully and contact your veterinarian.
