Conscientious dog owners are always on the lookout for new ways to supplement a pet’s diet and boost their health.
We all want our dogs to be healthy and happy, and for them to live long lives free of health-related complications.
These are not only horrible for our dogs to endure, but they are awful for our wallets when we need to keep taking them to the vet.
During your search for healthy foods to add to your dog’s diet, you may have found yourself wondering – can dogs eat olive oil?
In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of supplementing your dog’s diet with olive oil, and offer some ideas on how to feed olive oil to your dog, along with some alternatives.
In this article, we will discuss:
- Is olive oil safe for dogs?
- When is olive oil bad for dogs?
- What are the health benefits of olive oil for dogs?
- How to feed olive oil to your dog
- What other healthy fats can I feed my dog?
Yes, dogs can eat olive oil.
Olive oil has many health benefits for your dog. As a rule of thumb, add no more than 1 tsp. for every 20 pounds of body weight.
Is Olive Oil Safe For Dogs?
Many of us keep olive oil in our pantries as a staple food in our diets. This is because it is highly nutritious and often a much healthier option to cook with or dress our salads with than other oils and dressings.
You will be happy to know that your dog can also enjoy the benefits of olive oil in their diet.
Olive oil is generally safe for dogs, but as with all human foods and ingredients, we must always be aware of the precautions to take for it to remain safe.
See Also: Can dogs eat sardines?
When adding or removing a component of your dog’s diet, especially if it is a long-term food or supplement and not just a one-off, it is a good idea to consult your veterinarian.
They will be able to analyze your dog’s needs and advise you, according to the health condition of your dog, and also your dog’s age, size, weight, etc. whether or not a new food is a good option for them.
When Is Olive Oil Bad For Dogs?
You may be most curious to know when olive oil might be bad for your dog, and so let us cover this before going on to talk about the health benefits of olive oil for your dog.
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, some doctors believe that olive oil can have the potential to irritate your dog’s gastrointestinal tract. This would lead your dog to experience discomfort and stomach upsets, and they may suffer from vomiting or diarrhea.
If you notice either of these symptoms after feeding olive oil to your dog, they may be overly sensitive to it, and it would be wise to stop adding it to their meals and consult your veterinarian.
Some dogs may not be able to deal well with the added fats and extra calories that olive oil contains. This is especially true for dogs that suffer from conditions such as pancreatitis, as the added fat may lead to painful flare-ups.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Olive Oil For Dogs?
Assuming that your dog is fit and healthy, the health benefits of adding olive oil to your dog’s diet can be excellent, leading to healthy skin and coat due to the phytonutrients, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin E.
These all contribute to adding shine and strength to your dog’s coat, not to mention helping to moisturize and nourish your dog’s skin.
An unexpected benefit of olive oil is that it can help your dog to lose weight. This is because the monounsaturated fats break down the fat inside fat cells. This encourages weight loss, as it helps to get rid of belly fat and reduces insulin sensitivity.
Can dogs eat olive oil?
Olive oil also offers your dog an energy boost, as it improves your dog’s circulation and breathing. As a bonus, this increased blood flow reduces the effects of asthma, which is excellent news for brachycephalic dog breeds such as bulldogs.
Your dog’s immune system benefits greatly from the addition of olive oil in their diet due to the polyphenols and carotenoids. These help to fight the harmful pathogens that make your dog sick.
And if all that wasn’t enough, olive oil is also extremely beneficial for aging dogs, as it helps to prevent cognitive decline, essentially meaning that olive oil is excellent brain food for your dog!
How To Feed Olive Oil To Your Dog
If you decide that you would like your dog to benefit from the nutritious value of olive oil, and you want to incorporate this food into your dog’s diet, you will need to know how much olive oil is best to give to your dog, and how often.
The amount of olive oil you feed to your dog depends on your dog’s size. Below is an outline to help guide you in getting the correct dosage for your furry friend.
Generally speaking, if your dog weighs between 20 to 50 pounds, go for a teaspoon of olive oil. You can easily mix this into their daily meal. If your dog weighs 90 pounds or more, then you’re looking at about a tablespoon instead.
Think of it as a dressing, the quantity of which varies depending on the size of your dog’s meal. If you feed your dog more than once a day, then you should only dress one of their meals per day to avoid overconsumption.
Alternatively, instead of supplementing your dog daily, you can start by adding olive oil to your dog’s meals just once a week, and then build up to a few times or more depending on your dog’s reaction to it.
Don’t forget that it is always sensible to consult a veterinarian if you want to make a long-term change to your dog’s diet.
This way, you will be able to track any significant changes in your dog’s health and be more quickly able to attribute them to the changes made in your dog’s diet if your vet is already aware of them.
What Other Healthy Oils Can I Feed My Dog?
Once you get started, you will find that there are so many beneficial supplements that you can add to your dog’s diet to improve all aspects of their health and life.
If you are looking for some alternative oils to olive oil, there are some great options. Why not try rotating the oils you feed to your dog so that they can enjoy the benefits of them all?
Here are some ideas for you to try:
- Coconut Oil – This is a sweeter option that your dog will love! The benefits of coconut oil are endless. You can’t go wrong.
- Fish Oil – This potent oil will pack a tasty punch to any of your dog’s meals, and a treat for your dog’s senses. Not to mention a health boost. It is, therefore, an excellent option for enticing your dog if they have lost interest in their boring kibble.
- Cod Liver Oil – With lower levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids than conventional fish oils, but higher levels of vitamins A and D, cod liver oil, is a better option for dogs with heart failure.
- Linseed or Flaxseed Oil – A great plant-based oil option for your dog to help maintain a shiny coat and healthy skin.
FAQS
Which oil is best for dogs?
- Fish Oil
- Cod Liver Oil
- Linseed or Flaxseed Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Olive Oil
Can you give a dog olive oil for constipation?
Olive oil can help lubricate your dog’s digestive tract, relieving constipation. Virgin coconut oil and olive oil are both good options for mild cases of constipation. Mix 1 teaspoon of oil per 10 pounds of body weight with her regular food.
Can I put olive oil on my dog itchy skin?
You can use olive oil to help condition your dog’s fur by incorporating it into your its diet with a daily serving. It adds a sheen to any type of fur or coat and helps alleviate dry and itchy skin.
Which oil is best for dogs?
- Fish Oil
- Cod Liver Oil
- Linseed or Flaxseed Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Olive Oil
Can you give a dog olive oil for constipation?
Olive oil can help lubricate your dog’s digestive tract, relieving constipation. Virgin coconut oil and olive oil are both good options for mild cases of constipation. Mix 1 teaspoon of oil per 10 pounds of body weight with her regular food.
Summary
A little bit of olive oil goes a long way when it comes to your dog, even if your dog is a giant! So why not invest in a good quality bottle, especially for them?
Adding olive oil to your dog’s meals will make them tastier, moister if you feed dry food, and more nutritiously valuable.
Everything you feed your dog should be rich in nutrients, and there are so many healthy options that you simply don’t need to make mistakes when it comes to feeding your dog well and enabling them to live longer.
