Can Dogs Eat Olives? Are They Safe?

can dogs eat olives

Olives are a delicious, briny-tasting treat that goes well in a variety of recipes or in your martini! Most people love these unique salty fruits and want to share their favorite treat with their furry friend.

So, can dogs eat olives? Is it safe for dogs to eat green olives? How do you serve olives to your dog? Stick around because we have the answers to all your most pressing questions about whether dogs can eat olives!

Are Olives Safe for Dogs To Eat?

Just like many treats humans love, olives are safe for dogs in moderation. Olives offer plenty of vitamins and minerals that provide some health benefits and they can be a healthy treat occasionally.

However, there are some risks associated with eating olives you should know before letting your dog eat olives.

Are Olives Poisonous for Dogs?

Olives aren’t poisonous, and they’re actually an excellent source of healthy fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. However, consuming too many olives is bad for dogs. Canned and pickled olives are full of salt, and too much sodium isn’t healthy for your pup.

Too much salt is toxic to dogs and can lead to severe dehydration and other health problems.

Are Olives Bad for Dogs?

Olives aren’t bad for dogs, but they do pose some risks. Aside from the risk of too much salt making your dogs sick, olives can also be a choking hazard.

Olive pits are a big choking risk because your dog won’t be able to chew them and swallow them properly. An olive pit could get stuck in your pup’s airway and create a serious problem.

As if those risks weren’t scary enough, olive pits can also crack your dog’s teeth. Only serve pitted olives to your dog!

There’s also the possibility that heavily seasoned olives can be toxic to dogs. Olives coated in garlic, onion, or certain oils can pose a serious health risk.

If you’re concerned that the ingredients used to pickle your olives might be toxic to dogs, then you’re better off not serving them. Plain olives are your best bet for sharing this delicious treat with your pup.

Can Dogs Eat Green Olives?

Green olives that are plain and pitted are safe for your dog to eat. Black olives and Kalamata olives are also safe for your dog as long as they’re pitted and unseasoned.

Olives have lots of vitamins and minerals in them, which is a huge benefit for humans but isn’t really necessary for our canine friends.

Dogs should be fed primarily canine food that’s formulated by a pup nutritionist. You could think about fresh dog food for extra nutrients and to help with allergies and stomach issues.

Dogs don’t get a lot of nutrients from things like olives, so it’s best they’re kept as an occasional treat.

marinated green olives

Are Olives Good for Dogs?

Olives can be a tasty treat for dogs, but they don’t offer many real health benefits. A single olive contains plenty of healthy proteins and fats, as well as some vitamins and minerals, but your dog shouldn’t need any additional nutrients if they’re being fed a well-balanced diet.

When it comes to sharing people food treats like coconut, pecans, kiwi, or olives with your pup, it’s best to stick to serving them in moderation and only on occasion. While none of these foods are toxic to dogs, they aren’t meant to be a regular part of your dog’s diet.

Olives have plenty of health benefits for people, and they have a few benefits for your dog’s health. Each olive is made up of 11-15% fat, and 74% of that is fatty acids. This may not seem like a good thing, but it actually is!

These acids have been linked to lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease, and reducing inflammation. Those benefits should give olives the title of a superfood. The only downside is these strong acids, while non-toxic, can cause an upset stomach if your dog eats too many.

How Can Dogs Eat Olives?

Dogs can eat olives in many different forms. Plain, pitted raw olives are an excellent way to introduce this fruit to your pup. You can also try giving your dog stuffed olives or drizzling some olive oil into their food.

When dogs eat olive oil, they’ll experience some significant benefits. It helps them maintain healthy skin and fur, aids in digestion, and provides them with a nice boost of healthy nutrients, fats, and proteins.

Be careful about letting your dog eat stuffed olives that you haven’t made yourself. Stuffed olives are often filled with garlic, feta cheese or blue cheese, and other ingredients that may not be safe for dogs.

While feta cheese is non-toxic to dogs, it does very high levels of saturated fat, which makes them an unhealthy choice for your pup. You can find out more about feeding dogs cheese here.

Are Green Olives or Kalamata Olives Best for Dogs?

Whether your dogs eat black olives, green olives, or Kalamata olives, they’ll enjoy the same benefits and risks. No one type of olive is better than the others. Just make sure you’re feeding pitted, unsalted olives to avoid any health risks.

How Many Olives Can Dogs Eat?

You should only give your dog small quantities of olives. Just like other human foods, olives aren’t a necessary part of your dog’s diet.

It’s tempting for every dog owner to share their favorite treat with their pup, but just because dogs can eat olives doesn’t mean they should eat a lot of olives.

It’s best to give your dog olives in moderation. Let your pup have a couple of black and green olives, a bit of plain olive bread, or a tablespoon of olive oil mixed in with their food once a month.

They really don’t need more than that, and when you’re feeding olives that are fresh and pitted, then your dog will get some health benefits with none of the risks.

olives on tree

Can Dogs Eat Olives FAQs

We know dog lovers are always doing their best to find healthy treats for their pups, and there’s a ton of information out there to sort through! Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about feeding olives to dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Olives Stuffed With Cheese?

Cheese tends to be high in saturated fats, so it’s not the healthiest choice for your pups. Stuffed olives can also have lots of garlic, onion, and other seasonings that aren’t safe for dogs.

Your best bet is to make stuffed olives yourself or stick to feeding your pup fresh olives.

Can Dogs Eat Olives Fresh Off An Olive Tree?

This is actually the bet option for your pup! When dogs eat olives straight from the olive tree, they’re getting all the best natural flavor and nutrients with none of the seasonings. However, you will want to wash the olive off first and remove the pit.

Can Dogs Eat Green Olives?

Any type of olive is safe for your pup to eat as long as it’s pitted and unseasoned. Green olives provide the same health benefits (and risks!) as Kalamata and black olives.

Are A Few Olives Safe For Dogs Daily?

Dogs shouldn’t eat lots of olives or have them too frequently as it can lead to dehydration, upset stomach, and other health issues. Give your pup a few olives on rare occasions to keep it as a special treat!

Is Olive Spread Safe For Dogs?

Most olive spreads aren’t safe because they’re full of garlic, onion, and other seasonings that can upset your dog’s stomach and overall health. Avoid spreads and stick to serving fresh unsalted and pitted olives.

So, Can Dogs Eat Olives? Are Olives Good for Dogs?

It’s totally safe when dogs eat olives in moderation. Let your dogs eat a few olives every once in a blue moon as a special treat, but don’t make a habit of offering them too frequently or in large quantities.

You can let your dog eat olive oil, black and green olives, or even a stuffed olive as long as you make it yourself. Just make sure the olives are pitted, unseasoned, and given sparingly.

When dogs eat olives too frequently, it can cause health problems. Keeping this unique fruit as an occasional healthy treat will be best for your pup!