Can Dogs Eat Olives? What You Need To Know

They might seem harmless, but can dogs eat olives? This guide will answer all your questions about the different types of olives and dogs.

As pet owners, we want the very best for our furry friends. Some human foods – like olives, seem juicy and even healthy. Be careful and read this guide.

Not only are there a bunch of different types of olives, but you’ll find there are tons of foods made with olives too. This guide will look at as many different recipes, types of food, and varieties of olives and answer that very important question: can dogs have olives?

For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating olives.

Olives and Dogs – The Short Answer

The good news is that olives are not toxic to dogs. Your pup should still only enjoy this fruit in moderation. Olives still come with some minor risks to canines.

There are a bunch of different types of olives and a large number of different kinds of foods made with olives. Keep reading and move around in this guide to find the answers to your questions about dogs and olives.

Are Olives Poisonous To Dogs

No, olives are not toxic to dogs. They also don’t contain any poison, either. There are lots of reasons that you should control how many olives your dog eats.

Are Olives Safe For Dogs

Pitted, plain olives are the safest ones you can give your pup. As long as they aren’t coated in salt, don’t contain pits, and are just completely plain, they are safe to share with your dog in small amounts.

The biggest thing to watch out for is high levels of sodium. If you have unsalted olives, then a little bit of them might even benefit your pet, thanks to the good fats they have in them.

Are Olives Good For Dogs

Olives do contain lots of valuable nutrients and vitamins. They are rich in vitamin E and have lots of healthy fatty acids. There are many health benefits of olives, including monounsaturated fats that could support healthy skin.

If your pet is eating a balanced diet, they don’t need to eat olives to get these nutrients.

Still, they can be a healthy treat once in a while. They are a fantastic source of healthy fats and protein. This means they are good for your dog’s skin, coat, and muscles.

Are Olives Bad For Dogs

Plain olives are not bad for dogs. The unhealthy parts of olives are what people soak them in or add to them.

Dogs should never eat olives that have pits. The pits pose a choking hazard for dogs.

You should also never give your dog anything that has garlic, onion, or salt on it. Dogs are very sensitive to salt.

If you add olives to your martini, don’t share them with your dog. Your pet doesn’t need any alcohol.

Are Olives Ok For Dogs

Generally, olives fall in the “ok” spectrum of safe treats. A few plain pitted olives are totally safe to share with your dog.

If you don’t know how your dog will react to olives, give them small quantities and see how their stomachs react to it. Watch for symptoms of allergic reactions and always refrain from letting your dog eat too much sodium.

Are Dogs Allergic To Olives

It’s very rare, but some dogs might be allergic to either olives or olive oil. If you don’t know if your dog has an allergy to either, contact your veterinarian and ask how to safely introduce it to your pet.

As a dog owner, anytime you introduce new foods to your dog, you should watch for signs of allergic reactions. These include coughing, sneezing, or itching.

Safe Types

So, the answer to “can my dog eat olives” is pretty much “yes, but only in moderation and only plain ones without pits.”

When you go shopping, you’ll probably notice a bunch of different types of olives out there. Let’s look even closer at each type and how safe they are for pups.

The following types of olives are safe for dogs if they are served plain – without salt, pits, or unsafe spices (like garlic and onions).

• Black Olives
• Green Olives
• Greek Olives
• Kalamata Olives
• Manzanilla Olives
• Raw Olives without the pit
• Ripe Olives
• Cooked Olives
• Dry Olives

Unsafe Types

These are the types of olives that you need to keep away from your dog. They might be non-toxic, but they still pose threats to your fur babies.

• Whole Olives – Dogs can only eat whole olives as long as they don’t have pits and don’t have any added salt or spices on them.
• Olives From The Tree – The pits are very dangerous for dogs. Dogs might choke on them, or they might get lodged in their digestive system. They might also chip their teeth on the tough pits.
• Olive Juice – It’s always best to just avoid giving your dog any type of juice – this includes olive juice which has a lot of salt.
• Fried Olives – Dogs should not eat fried foods of any kind. The excess oil is unhealthy for your dog’s heart and weight.
• Olive Pits – These are very dangerous for dogs. Not only are they a choking hazard, but dogs might chip their teeth on the pits.
• Olive Branches – They cause a choking hazard. Chewing on them could damage your dog’s teeth and the splinters could harm your pet’s stomach.
• Olive Leaves – Leaves are high in fiber and eating them could give your dog diarrhea.

Foods With Olives And Dogs

Now let’s look at some popular types of food made with olives and how safe they are for dogs to eat.

• Olive Bread – It contains too many carbs to be good for their weight. Dogs that eat lots of bread could gain too much weight and be at risk for diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues.
• Olive Butter – The safest option of all is to just keep it away from your dog entirely. Lots of olive butter is made with unhealthy amounts of fat or added salt. Dogs do not need this in their diet.
• Olive Loaf – This meat is usually really high in salt. Since it has so much salt, you should not share it with your dog.
• Olive Spread – Depends on the ingredients in the spread. If it is simply ground or pureed olives it should be safe.
• Olive Tapenade – It’s made with anchovy paste, which has sugar and other spices in it. If that anchovy paste has salt or garlic in it, you should definitely keep it away from your dog.
• Olive Oil – Do not allow your dog to eat anything with garlic or onion-infused olive oil.
• Olive Leaf Extract – According to VCA Hospitals, it is used as an all-natural antimicrobial to treat different types of infections. Always ask your veterinarian before you try any at-home treatments for your dog’s ailments.

Olive Plants and Dogs

In addition to those black and green olives, there are a few other types of olive plants I wanted to talk about.

Autumn Olives

This is a tree or shrub. It has red berries that are also known as silverberry. According to the ASPCA it is non-toxic to dogs. It has too much fiber to be an enjoyable treat for dogs. It’s best to keep them away from this plant.

Russian Olives

Russian olives are a tree that looks like an olive tree but it has yellow-brown berries that have silver scales. These berries are non-toxic to dogs but you should still keep them away from your dog. It could upset their stomach.

Mexican Olives

Do not let your dog eat these berries. The Mexican olive bush is an ornamental shrub with white flowers. It is not edible or meant to be consumed.

Final Thoughts

It’s safe to share pitted, plain olives with your dog as a rare treat due to the high sodium content. The pits pose the biggest health risk, so make sure the olives are always pitted before you share them.

If you have any questions about how your dog will react to olives, please ask your veterinarian.

More Dog Food Resources

Here are some more articles about other types of fruits and vegetables. Find out whether they are safe or dangerous for your dog to eat.

• Can Dogs Eat Beans
• Can Dogs Eat Beets
• Can Dogs Eat Eggplant
• Can Dogs Eat Fennel
• Can Dogs Eat Parsnips
• Can Dogs Eat Pizza
• Can Dogs Eat Plantains

Find lots more articles about food dogs can eat here on Spoiled Hounds!

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