Fruit
Can dogs eat olives?
Plain, pitted olives are safe in small amounts. Most olives are brined and salty, and stuffed olives may contain garlic or blue cheese.
Why Salt from brine; the pit (choking and blockage); garlic in stuffed olives
By Maya HartIf your dog ate some
- A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset.
- Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell.
- If pits were swallowed by a small pet, call your vet.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting
- Excessive thirst after salty olives
- Choking or blockage from pits
How much, how often
One or two plain, pitted olives.
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of the day’s calories. Work out your pet’s calories
Serving it safely
- Remove the pits
- Rinse off brine
- Avoid stuffed or marinated olives
- A drizzle of olive oil is fine; a lot causes diarrhoea
Dogs and cats, side by side
Dogs In moderation
Plain, pitted olives are safe in small amounts. Most olives are brined and salty, and stuffed olives may contain garlic or blue cheese.
How much: One or two plain, pitted olives.
Cats In moderation
Some cats are fascinated by olives — they contain a compound similar to catnip’s. A small piece of a plain pitted olive is safe.
How much: A small piece, occasionally.
Can cats eat olives?The details
The idea that cats love olives isn’t a myth. Some cats react to olives much like catnip — rolling, rubbing and chewing — probably because olives contain compounds that resemble nepetalactone. It’s harmless in small amounts, but the salt in brined olives adds up quickly for a small animal.
Safer treats your dog can have instead
Apples
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Blackberries
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Questions owners ask
Can dogs eat olives?
Plain, pitted olives are safe in small amounts. Most olives are brined and salty, and stuffed olives may contain garlic or blue cheese.
How much olives can a dog have?
One or two plain, pitted olives.
What makes olives risky for dogs?
Salt from brine; the pit (choking and blockage); garlic in stuffed olives.
What are the signs to watch for in dogs?
vomiting, excessive thirst after salty olives, choking or blockage from pits.
What should I do if my dog ate olives?
A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset. Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell. If pits were swallowed by a small pet, call your vet.
Is olives safe for cats too?
Some cats are fascinated by olives — they contain a compound similar to catnip’s. A small piece of a plain pitted olive is safe.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
More foods for dogs
Grapes and raisins
Avocado
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
Apples
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation