Can Dogs Eat Olive Oil and What Are The Health Benefits?
2022-08-25
Olive oil is a true kitchen hero, we use it in so many ways. But did you know that dogs can eat olive oil?
That’s right, a small amount of olive oil in your dog’s usual food regime is perfectly safe and healthy and can have some very interesting health benefits on your dog’s health.
Like all benefits of olive oil, we recommend purchasing a quality extra virgin olive oil as it is packed with vitamins and minerals that promote a healthy function.
Here are 7 health benefits olive oil can have for your pet pooch!
1 Olive Oil for Your Dog’s Coat
Just like us humans, olive oil has great benefits for our hair. Extra virgin olive oil is high in vitamin E and Omega fatty acids which are great for giving your dog’s coat a healthy, stronger, and shiny coat. If your bestest best friend has damaged fur, adding olive oil to their usual diet may help repair their coat but it may take four weeks to see results.
2 Olive Oil for your Dog’s Skin
If your dog has itchy, flakey, or pimply skin, extra virgin olive oil can help to repair your dog’s skin thanks to its highly effective moisturising properties. Of course, before applying olive oil to your dog, you should seek the advice of a veterinarian as they can rule out more serious issues. If your dog’s problematic skin is just an issue due to a dry atmosphere and cold weather, extra virgin olive oil can help to soothe your pet’s skin issues.
3 Olive Oil for your Dog’s Digestive Health
Olive oil has a very mild laxative effect and can help to relieve symptoms of constipation and indigestion — this is also true for humans. Always introduce new ingredients to your dog’s diet in small amounts and stop if you notice any negative effect (such as vomiting and diarrhoea).
4 Olive Oil for Your Dog’s Joints
Extra virgin olive oil contains oleic acid, Omega-3 fatty acids and is packed with antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory benefits. This means that your dog can eat olive oil to help relieve the pain experienced from swelling and provides lubrication to arthritic joints.
5 Olive Oil for Your Dog’s Heart Health
Just like with humans, a quality extra virgin olive oil has heart health benefits for your dog thanks to the monounsaturated fatty acids it contains. This helps to reduce cholesterol and also helps to increase blood flow. Extra virgin olive oil also contains molecules known as free radicals that can help to protect and repair your dog’s damaged cells that can lead to cardiovascular issues.
6 Olive Oil for Your Dog’s Ears and Skin Folds
As we have covered, extra virgin olive oil is a very effective moisturiser and also has antibacterial benefits thanks to its levels of polyphenols. Polyphenols help to slow down the reproduction of bad bacteria and promote the rates of good bacteria. Add a small dab of extra virgin olive oil to a soft cotton pad and apply to your dog’s ears (getting into all those folds) and to any problematic areas of your dog’s skin that would make for a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
If your dog has an ear infection it is recommended to see a veterinarian for the best advice, but they may suggest a few drops of extra virgin olive down your dog’s ear canal and massaging it gently to insure the oil reaches the problem area.
7 Olive Oil helps keep your dog’s diet interesting
Noticed your pet losing its appetite? Perhaps they’re not quite jumping for joy at their same-same dinner of dry dog biscuits? Adding a little dash of olive oil can help to make your dog’s food more palatable and interesting. Always monitor changes to your dog’s diet closely.
How Much Olive Oil Can Your Dog Safely Eat Per Day?
As with all changes to your dog’s diet, you should consult your dog’s veterinarian for the best advice. However, adding a proportionate amount of olive oil to your dog’s health is generally a healthy and safe way of giving your pet pooch additional vitamins and minerals.
As a rule, here are the safe doses of EVOO for your dog based on their weight:
Dogs up to 10 kilos: half a small tablespoon of olive oil per day
Dogs from 11 to 30 kilos: a small tablespoon of olive oil per day
Giant-sized dogs: one and a half tablespoons of olive oil per day
La Española Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil since 1840
La Española Olive Oil is the oldest producer of olive oil in Spain and we pride ourselves on our strong traditions and sustainable values. Our quality extra virgin olive oil is crafted with a focus on balance and flavour to produce an olive oil that is a kitchen staple in the kitchens of foodies around the world and in Australia.
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