Olives are great fruits for us humans even though they might have a bitter taste.
We have grown to enjoy them a lot and we normally put them in salads, pizza and sometimes on pasta.
Olives are readily available in most parts of the world but the question is are they really good for your cat as well?
Let’s find out whether cats can eat olives.
Generally speaking, olives are not toxic to cats, so yes, your cat can eat olives.
However, just like any other treat or snack, you need give your cat olives in moderation. Too much of something may cause more harm than good.
What then are the health benefits of olives to your cat?
Read on to find out this and much more about olives and cats.
Table of Contents
What Are The Health Benefits Of Olives To Your Cat?
As we all know cats are known to be carnivores and would ordinarily not eat this fruit.
Your feline friend probably doesn’t need to eat olives in order to get a balanced nutritional diet.
Your cat’s body can actually produce its own vitamin C and she can get vitamin A from eating flesh from other animals. Nevertheless, you can give your cats olives because of medicinal purposes instead of nutritional.
You need to know that there are different varieties of olives. Most of these olive types have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant compounds in them.
This helps to take care of any free radicles that your cat might be exposed to on a daily basis hence helps to prevent against many illnesses.
The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidants that are present in olives also helps to prevent serious illnesses like cancer.
If your cat has arthritis, then olives are good for her because of the anti-inflammatory components found in them. They help to improve your cat’s mobility and helps to reduce pain in the joints.
Are Olives Bad For Cats?
Are there any risks associated with giving your cat olives?
The answer is no, olives are not poisonous to your cat.
The other dangerous ingredient is the high amount of salt in them which can also be very dangerous to cats.
Be careful of even the natural olives as they may contain salt which may easily bring your cat over their sodium limit. Sodium poisoning is dangerous and can be life-threatening to your cat.
You need to be keen and observe your cat for symptoms of sodium poisoning which may occur if he eats too many olives.
Some of the symptoms of sodium poisoning in cats include the following:
- Vomiting.
- Extreme dehydration or thirst.
- Urinating excessively.
- Significant loss of appetite.
- Tremor.
- Seizures in extreme cases.
All of these symptoms are dangerous and may be fatal. They have also been known to be the cause of kidney failure in cats hence may subsequently lead to death.
That is why you need to be alert and not take any of these symptoms lightly.
Contact your vet in case you suspect sodium poisoning in your cat after taking too much olives. If the symptoms are mild, they normally just subside within a few hours.
You need to bear in mind that even if you thoroughly wash the olives with water, it will still not get rid of the excess salt. This will only clean the outer part of the fruit. So, it is advisable to go for unsalted olives if you want your cat to enjoy this treat.
The other problem with olives is that your feline friend can easily get choked by eating this fruit. It could easily get stuck in his throat.
The olive pit is what poses to be a choking hazard to your cat. Make sure that you remove the olive seed before giving it to your cat.
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How Often Should I Give My Cat Olives?
It is not a surprise that there are actually cats that do like the taste of olives.
But, you should be aware that olives do not add any nutritional value to your cat’s diet.
Therefore, you need to give your cat olives in moderation. Olives should only be a once-in-a-while treat for your cat.
As a pet parent, you need to always remember that treats need to be given in moderation.
Why Do Some Cats Love Olives?
One reason I can say as to why cats love olives is just the frenzied madness in them. Some cats just begin salivating at the sight of olives.
You can tell that your cat loves olives just by how she looks at you when this fruit is in sight.
However, according to some cat experts suggest that olives are known to contain chemical isoprenoids. These have a similar effect on the cat’s receptors like the components found in catnip.
Cats And Olive Wood
As we have mentioned earlier according to experts olive wood has a chemical compound very similar to that one in catnip.
But it seems to me there is exception to every rule, some cats go crazy for olive wood. On the other hand some cats just like my cat Beethoven don’t find it attractive enough.
Can Cats Eat Green Olives?
Green olives are not poisonous as well. They are safe for your cat to eat.
However, you need to remove the olive pit and also give your cat in moderation.
Olives have been said to contain a similar chemical compound that is also found in catnip. This is not surprising that cats love the smell just as much.
However, just like catnip, not every cat might enjoy and get excited over the smell of olives, some just don’t like it that much.
Can Cats Eat Black Olives?
Just like green olives, cats can also eat black olives because they too are non-toxic to them.
You need to know that black olives tend to be a little bit bitter as compared to greed olives.
Black olives contain more oil and less salt as compared to green olives. So yes, you can give your cat black olives every now and then.
What To Do If Your Cat Eats The Olive Pit?
Suppose you gave your cat olives and accidentally they also ate the olive pit which should be removed.
Worry not because the good news is that olive pits are not poisonous. They are just likely to pass through your cat’s faecal matter.
However, it is better to be safe than sorry because when your cat eats a lot of them, they may end up causing intestinal blockage.
Can Cats Take Olive Oil?
Yes, cats can take olive oil. In fact, olive oil is natural oil that is good for their health.
However, when you give your cat olive oil, you should give her no more than a tablespoon.
If you give any more than that, it may end up causing your cat to experience diarrhea.
Can Cats Eat Kalamata Olives?
The kalamata olive is a large type of olive that is usually dark purple in color that is named after the city of Kalamata in Peloponnese, Greece.
They are very healthy and have been known of their ability to boost your nutrient intake. You can occasionally give your cat kalamata olives but need to be cautious of the high sodium intake.
Apart from that, kalamata olives contain antioxidants that are known to help prevent chronic diseases like cancer.
They are also loaded with monosaturated fats which are good for your cat’s health. They are also good for you and your cat because they help to reduce inflammation, optimize health and lower blood pressure.
Can Cats Eat Olive Leaves?
Cats love to chew on olive leaves and branches. The good thing is that they are not toxic to them.
In fact, they are just as healthy for your cats as they are for you.
Olive leaves will help to keep your cat strong and have a shiny, smooth fur coat. It also helps to boost their immunity system.
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell, I hope this has been informative in clearing any doubts and questions you might have had previously on cats and olives.
Olives are totally safe for cats. You only need to give your cat olives in moderation just like you do any other treat.
If you give your cat olive oil, you need to do so in moderation as well. A tablespoon is enough for your little feline friend. You can as well sprinkle it over his food just to give it a little nutritional value.
Olives like the Kalamata olives are healthy for your cat. They have antioxidants and also are low in calories thus you need not worry about your cat putting on excess weight.
The only thing you should be cautious about is the high level of sodium in olives.
Sodium poisoning is real and it can easily happen to your cat if you allow him to feed on too much olives. Otherwise you can allow your feline friend to enjoy this treat once in a while!
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