Can Dogs Eat Black Olives? Everything You Need To Know

Yes, dogs can eat plain black olives safely but in moderation. Black olives contain vitamins and minerals and can be a healthy snack when unsalted and plain. However, too many can add calories to a dog’s diet. Black olives as an occasional treat are safe for a dog and their health. While olives have no toxic ingredients, the pits can be dangerous for dogs. Olive pits may lead to choking and obstructions in dogs. The pits can crack teeth, block airways, and get stuck in the intestinal tract. Contact your vet if you find your dogs eating too many olives.

What Is Black Olive?

Black olives are ripe olives that are fully grown, while green olives are the unripe ones. Black olives are sweeter than the unripened green ones. Black olives were primarily used in the Mediterranean belt and are not grown in other parts of the world. However, fresh black olives are pickled and used widely in food. Sliced olives are commonly used as toppings on pizzas, sandwiches, and other Mediterranean food.

Black Olive Nutritional Value

Black olives are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals and can be a healthy treat for dogs. They provide a moderate amount of Vitamin C and other essential nutrients. A 3.5 ounce of black olives  contains the below nutrients:

Is Black Olive Safe For Dogs?

Yes, black olives are safe for dogs to consume in moderation. Black olives are the same as green olives and differ in color and flavor as they are harvested later. Black olives are safe to consume as they contain anti-microbial properties from a chemical called oleuropein, which adds a bitter taste to olives. However, dogs should never be fed moldy olives as the mold contains mycotoxins which may cause tremors and seizures. Always remember to remove the pit as they have harmful toxins and avoid seasoned, stuffed, or flavored olives. Also, too many black olives can cause upset stomachs in dogs. While feeding dogs with black olives, ensure they are plain, unstuffed, and unsalted. Black olives are also high in calories and can affect the pancreas in dogs. All said and done; plain, unsalted black olives can be a healthy snack when fed now and then. 

Why Is Black Olive Good For Dogs?

Black olives are a great addition to the dog’s diet and can be an occasional treat. The nutritional value of black olives includes

Antioxidants and vitamins: Black olives contain several vitamins and minerals, including B6 and C. It also supports maintaining the immune system and improves a dog’s memory and cognition. In addition, it also contains antioxidants that prevent cell damage, the leading cause of cancer. 

Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 is essential for a healthy immune system. However, vitamin B6 is engaged in over 100 different interactions during the breakdown and digestion of meals. Vitamin B6 also aids the correct development of a puppy’s brain during pregnancy and early puppyhood. 

Vitamin C: Vitamin C serves as a powerful antioxidant. It can help prevent inflammation and cognitive aging by scavenging damaging free radicals in the body. Although dogs’ livers can generate vitamin C on their own, supplementation may provide health advantages in some situations.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E aids in defending the oxidative damage in the dog’s body. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient that triggers dogs’ fat metabolism and cell growth. It also supports the immune system of the dog. Additionally, vitamin E also helps in maintaining the following:

• Heart 
• Muscle 
• Immune system 
• Skin 
• Coat 
• Reproductive system 
• Liver
• Immune system 
• Nerve cell membrane

Vitamin K: Vitamin K decreases the risk of coronary heart disease. It is also a fat-soluble vitamin, which helps the blood to activate the clot in dogs. In addition, iron helps lead the oxygen in the hemoglobin of RBC throughout the dog’s body, producing energy. Iron also helps in making enzymes in the dog’s body.

Zinc: Zinc is a mineral found in numerous things in the dog’s body, including enzymes, proteins, and hormones. Zinc is also necessary for the immune system and thyroid function. Therefore, zinc insufficiency can cause various issues in dogs, including incapability of infection protection.

Dietary fiber:  Fiber is an excellent source of nutrients for a dog’s digestive system. The healthy bacteria in your dog’s colon digest fiber into fatty acids. This fatty acid then aids in the recovery of the colon by preventing the expansion of harmful bacteria. 

Potassium: Potassium is an electrolyte that is essential for your dog’s health. Potassium helps electrical charges in the heart, nerves, and muscles work correctly. If your dog lacks this vital mineral, you may notice that they are constantly fatigued, which is not normal, or have no desire to eat. Potassium also helps in

• Regulating muscle contractions and heartbeats 
• Optimizing cognitive functions 
• Boosting metabolism 
• Aiding normal blood flow 
• Increasing bone density 

Calcium: Calcium aids in strong bones and teeth in dogs. Calcium helps keep the nails, teeth, bones, cartilages, and hair healthy and strong. The consumption of calcium also helps in the proper functioning of the nervous system.

Proteins: Aids in muscular development and tissue repair. Promotes healthy hair and skin. Stimulates the production of antibodies, strengthening the immune system function and aids in the secretion of hormones and enzymes.

Other health benefits of Black olives include

• Black olives boost your dog’s immune system.  
• Black olives can prevent heart disease.  
• Black olives reduce the risk of cancer.  
• Black olivesReduce inflammation.  
• Black olives promote vision.  
• Black olives are good for bone health.  
• Black olives contain mono-unsaturated fatty acids that are healthy and aid in weight loss.  
• Black olives also give your dog healthy skin and a shiny coat.  
• They boost brain function and make dogs like Border Collies an ideal treat.  
• Black olives lower the bad cholesterol and promote good cholesterol levels.  
• Black olives are an excellent source of oleate. It is a good fat that promotes your dogs’ heart health and cognitive functions.
• Olive oil helps in putting checks on diabetes in dogs. 

Why Are Black Olives Bad For Dogs?

Black olives are not toxic for dogs when consumed in moderation. However, dogs tend to suffer from few health issues when too many black olives are eaten at once.

Gastrointestinal Issues and Internal Organ Damage: Pits or seeds can cause gastrointestinal upset and internal organ obstruction. Look out for gastrointestinal symptoms such as

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• A painful tummy
• Yelping or growling
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness. 

Symptoms of intestinal obstruction are 

• Dehydration
• loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Vomiting    

Choking Hazards and Pit Poisoning: Black olives can cause choking hazards, mainly in smaller dog breeds. In addition, when your furry friends accidentally chew on the pits, the pit contains cyanide, leading to cyanide poisoning in dogs. 

• Excessive salivation
• Voiding of bladder and bowels
• Muscle spasms and tremors
• Vomiting
• Seizures are some indications if your pet is affected by cyanide.  

Severe Dental Issues: If your dog chews the hard pits accidentally, it can damage the teeth and gums, leading to dental issues. Symptoms show up as

• Difficulty in breathing
• Seizures
• Vomiting
• Coma
• Gum bleeding,  

High Blood Pressure, Chronic Kidney disease, and Pancreatitis: You should avoid canned, pickled, or brined olives due to their high sodium levels. Excess salt causes dehydration, high blood pressure, chronic kidney diseases, seizures, and pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is caused due to an inflammatory pancreas. Dogs with pancreatitis may suffer from decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.  

Lactose Intolerance and Dog–Toxic Ingredients: Black Olives with seasonings or additives are not your dog’s right choice. Some store-bought olives contain ingredients like preservatives, garlic, blue cheese, and feta cheese that are toxic and may cause lactose allergies for your pups. In addition, eating garlic can cause difficulty in breathing and lethargy. Though dogs can be given bread occasionally, olive bread is not recommended. Giving olives from your pizza topping or used in a cocktail or other alcoholic drinks is hazardous to your canines. Olives with molds can cause seizures and tremors. 

How Many Black Olives  To Feed Your Dog?

Black olives are safe for dogs to consume when unsalted and plain. Dogs can be fed one or two plain black olives as an occasional treat or a healthy snack.

How To Serve Black Olives To Your Dog?

• Ensure the pits are removed as they are toxic to dogs
• Never feed flavored olives
• Always feed plain and unsalted olives

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs eat green olives?

Yes. Dogs can eat green olives in moderation.

Is black olive toxic for dogs?

Black olive is safe and is not toxic for dogs when consumed occasionally as a treat. However, they should be unsalted and plain

Can dogs eat olive leaves?

No, dogs should not eat with olive leaves.

Can black olives make dogs sick?

No, dogs can eat black olives in moderation. Yet, too many black olives may cause an upset stomach.

Final Thoughts

Dogs can eat black olives with absolutely no problems. It provides various health benefits, such as cancer prevention, helps in digestion, improves immunity, and prevents constipation. Most healthy dogs can occasionally be fed with black olives in small amounts as a treat. When consumed regularly, black olives lead to vomiting and an upset stomach. However, always consult your vet before adding black olives to your dog’s diet.