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Imagine this; you are having dinner at the table, and olive rolls off the table. Your dog reaches out for it and eats it. Does that instance trigger the question, can dogs eat olives?
Also, what olives can a dog eat since there are about 2000 varieties of olives worldwide? Yes, your dog can eat olives. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here is a simple breakdown of those things:
Why are Olives Good for Dogs?
When it comes to feeding your dog, the essential thing to consider is whether the food you are offering the dog has nutritional benefits. Food needs to provide both nutrients and satisfaction to a dog. Olives are rich in iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamins A, E, and K. Olives can help with boosting the immune system, reducing cholesterol, and keeping heart disease at bay.
However, you cannot rely on olives alone to meet the dietary requirements for the dog. You need to give your dog a balanced meal. Olives should be complementary to a good diet for your dog.
How Many Olives Should You Feed Your Dog?
Although olives are good for consumption by your dog, you should give your dog the olives in moderation. Eating too many olives may pose some risks to your dog.
Are Marinated Olives Good for Your Dog?
Marinated olives have an added taste, and your dog may seem to enjoy them. However, it would be best if you did not feed your dog olives marinated in spices, oil, or garlic. Onions, garlic, and spices of the allium family are toxic to dogs and may cause gastrointestinal distress such as diarrhea and abdominal pain. Spice such as chillis and hot pepper lead to serious digestive issues in dogs.
Are Stuffed Olives Safe for Dog Consumption?
Stuffed olives are not bad for your dog so long as the stuffing is safe for dog consumption. Feeding your dog stuffed olives containing food substances that are bad for consumption will cause digestive issues. Some of the harmful food substances in olives stuffing include garlic, chilies, and blue cheese.
Do You Know?
Lots of snacks are safe for dogs, but some snacks you should just not give your pet. We sat down and did some research and our vet has verified it: Can Dogs Eat Nectarines?
Caution! Remove the Olive Pits
When giving your dog olives, ensure you remove the pit. Hard pits can be lodged in the throat, causing your dog to choke. Swallowed pits can obstruct the digestive system and cause pain, bloating, diarrhea, and vomiting. Also, when a dog attempts to chew a pit, the tough nut can cause dental problems such as the cracking of a tooth.
Too Much Sodium is not Good.
Even for human consumption, olives require curing to adjust their taste. Due to the curing of olives, olives contain high levels of sodium. Too much sodium is bad for human health and is not suitable for your dog either. Feeding your dog olives is not bad. However, olives should not be part of your dog’s regular diet. The excess sodium leads to tremors, diarrhea, fever, and death in extreme cases.
Dogs being omnivores, can eat various foods ranging from veggies to meat. Thus, the answer to the question dogs can eat olives is yes. However, it would be best to cross-check what you are feeding your dog as some foods are toxic. Your dog may have allergies, health triggers, or a sensitive digestive system. Therefore, observe how your dog reacts after feeding them olives.
The first time you introduce your dog to olives, give them a small piece and watch how they behave over time. Watch out for any symptoms of stomach discomfort, diarrhea, thirst, and vomiting over time. Remember that no matter how much your dog loves eating olives, they should only be a treat hence calling for an occasional indulgence.
