Can Dogs Eat Olive Oil? What Are The Risks?

Olive oil is a popular cooking oil for several delicious dishes. You can drizzle it on salads and bread for tasty boosts of flavor. While olive oil has several benefits for humans, including hair and skin health, you might wonder if your dog can have some too. 

Dogs can have olive oil. However, it’s best to know more about olive oil before giving it to them. Too much olive oil can have adverse effects, but just the right amount can offer some benefits. How much is safe? Are there any risks? In this post, we’ll see what it can do for dogs and how to incorporate it into their diet.  

The Benefits of Olive Oil for Dogs

There are significant benefits of olive oil for dogs. If your dog is picky about eating, try adding a little olive oil to their meal to improve the flavor and texture. If your dog has a dry diet, you may find that this method works best. 

Olive oil’s monounsaturated fats work similarly to our own to reduce cholesterol by promoting fat breakdown within fat cells. It is a natural laxative, so a little in your dog’s food can also help them get regular. Olive oil should be avoided if your dog has diarrhea or vomiting because it can worsen the problem.

Healthy Fur and Antioxidants 

Antioxidants, many in olive oil, have been demonstrated to be beneficial in combating free radical damage, which can contribute to diseases like dementia and cardiovascular disease. Olive oil’s carotenoid antioxidant content also makes it a good choice for boosting the immune system. 

Carrots and tomatoes, for example, all contain carotenoids, which include red and orange pigments. Lutein, a carotenoid, has been demonstrated to have an immune-boosting effect in dogs. Olive oil’s high levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E make it an excellent choice for conditioning your dog’s skin and hair. 

Instead of rubbing olive oil into your dog’s coat, try feeding it to them. This will help prevent dry, flaky skin. Although olive oil on a dog’s skin isn’t dangerous, the animal may try to lick it off and end up overeating the recommended amount. Olive oil’s anti-inflammatory effects are comparable to pain relievers because of its oleic acid and antioxidants. The Omega-3 fatty acids are also helpful for lubricating the joints.

Shedding

You cannot stop shedding because it is a healthy, natural process that encourages new hair growth. Reducing how much hair is on your furniture wouldn’t hurt, however. Getting proper baths and using the right brush typically work. Before the hair naturally falls, they assist you in removing the stray or fragile hair. 

However, it is often wiser to address the underlying health issue instead of the symptoms when a skin or hair disorder causes excessive dog shedding. And olive oil comes into play here. Olive oil can help dogs with skin issues and reduce shedding in the long run. After all, healthier hair follicles and reduced shedding result from firm, healthy, and supple skin.

What Are the Risks of Giving Your Dog Olive Oil?

Olive oil is heavy in fat, even though it may have certain health benefits for dogs. This means that excess weight gain is always possible if your dog has a habit of overeating. Always check with your vet before adding oil or other “human food” to your dog’s diet, and avoid giving it to your pet if they have a weight problem. 

Watch out for stomach distress and possibly diarrhea if your dog drinks too much olive oil, like if a bottle were to be dropped on the floor or if you were not to add it to their diet in moderation. Pancreatitis is another health problem that can develop from eating too many fatty meals.

What Kind of Olive Oil Can Dogs Have?

Utilize extra virgin oil for the most significant outcomes. It is created using premium, cold-pressed olives, which aid in the preservation of the majority of its priceless nutrients. On the other hand, pure and light olive oils come from low-quality olives that have been heated or chemically processed, which removes their beneficial characteristics. Extra virgin olive oil is also kinder to the digestive system of dogs because it contains less acid.

How Much Olive Oil Can Dogs Have?

Olive oil is healthy, but adding it to your diet should be done slowly and in tiny amounts (no more than two teaspoons per day). Adding roughly a teaspoon of olive oil (suitable for a medium-sized, 30- to 40-pound dog) to a meal is the healthiest and easiest way to include olive oil into your dog’s diet. 

It’s okay to give your pet olive oil once a week or even every day if your vet gives the go-light. A larger breed of dog could handle a daily serving of a tablespoon. As with any new substance, it’s best to ease your dog into it by giving them a small quantity first to ensure there are no adverse reactions. Since it contains less acid than regular olive oil, extra virgin olive oil is the best choice for your dog’s diet.

Conclusion 

Olive oil can help your pup in several ways, aside from making dry food more enjoyable for them. First, it can help with their skin and fur health which also helps dogs that shed. It can increase the skin’s moisture, which will also hydrate their fur. 

Secondly, it’s excellent for dogs with joint problems as it works as an anti-inflammatory and helps lubricate joints. This is great for older dogs. Lastly, the antioxidants offer several boosts to your dog’s overall health. There aren’t many dogs out there that wouldn’t benefit from olive oil being added to their diet. 

When adding the oil, start small and see how your pup responds. Your vet can help you decide if weekly or daily is a better option. Ensure you’re feeding your dog excellent dog food for even better results. Check out what else your dog can eat down below and share with other doggie owners. You can improve a doggies life by doing so!

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