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Can Dogs Eat Olives

Can Dogs Eat Olives?

Updated on July 18, 2024
Reviewer Profile Photo
Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care
Education and Compliance (ACE) Team
olives

Since many humans enjoy the bitter, salty flavor of olives, you may wonder if dogs can eat olives, too. Many foods humans enjoy can be toxic to canines; are olives one of them?  

Your dog will likely be fine if they eat a plain, unsalted, pitted olive that fell to the floor or that they snatched off your plate. However, your pup shouldn’t eat many, and olives shouldn’t become a regular part of their diet. Let’s find out more about dogs, olives and the nutritional relationship between the two.  

Are olives good for dogs? 

A plain olive with the pit removed is not generally considered harmful to dogs, and olives don’t contain any elements toxic to canines—unless there are other added ingredients, such as garlic or onions, or your pet has a food sensitivity. While olives have wholesome vitamins and nutrients, as well as fatty acids and beneficial antioxidants that are known to help lower inflammation, commercial dog food is formulated to meet your pets' nutritional needs, and you should never add extra foods to alter that balance without reviewing your plan with your veterinarian. If you’re feeding your dog enough olives to impact their nutrition levels, that’s too many. Olives often contain salt, and too many can make your dog sick or suffer from salt toxicity.  

If you decide to offer an olive to your dog, be very careful about what kind you choose. Your dog’s olives need to be plain and not brined. Brined olives can contain a lot of salt, and too much sodium can have severe side effects in canines and even lead to toxicity. 

Finally, there’s another reason why olives can be a bad idea for dogs—they’re often stuffed. While a simple pimento is usually OK, olives can be filled with dairy products and cheeses, which can upset their stomachs and contain bad bacteria for canines. Some olives are even stuffed with whole cloves of garlic, which is extremely toxic to dogs and can be fatal.  

You should never allow dog treats, chews or snacks to make up more than 10% of your pup’s daily caloric intake. Invest in high-quality, veterinarian-approved dog food instead. If you have a dog with sensitivities, minimally processed dog food may also help.  

How to feed olives to your dog 

The fruit itself isn’t typically considered dangerous to your dog in small quantities, but it is easier just to skip feeding your canine olives altogether.   

If you do opt to let your dog try a plain, unsalted olive, there’s another hazard to watch out for—the pit. Olives are a stone fruit, so they have a rock-like seed in the center, which can be deadly to pets. The pit can cause a lot of damage to their teeth if they chew it, it can get lodged in their throat and—if it makes it down—it can cause intestinal blockages, which can become a life-threatening medical emergency.   

» MORE: Learn about fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat.

FAQs About Dogs and Olive Oil 

Can my dog have olive oil? 

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While plain unseasoned olive oil would typically not be considered harmful to a healthy pet with no medical conditions, oils, butter and seasonings are never recommended when cooking for your pet. Olive oil is bad for dogs who suffer from health issues like inflammatory bowel disease or pancreatitis. Adding fat to their diet can have serious consequences.   

Is olive oil good for my dog?  

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While plain, unseasoned olive oil would typically not be considered harmful to a healthy pet with no medical conditions, oils, butter, and seasonings are never recommended when cooking for your pet. If you’re looking to add shine to your dog’s coat, there are many dog shampoos, conditioners and treatments that contain olive oil, which can make a great topical supplement.  

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