Can Dogs Have Olive Oil?
Yes, in very small amounts. Olive oil is not toxic, but it is pure fat: too much causes diarrhea, leads to weight gain and can trigger pancreatitis. It does not replace omega-3s.
What it gives your dog
Olive oil is almost 100 % fat, mainly oleic acid, with vitamin E and, in extra virgin olive oil, polyphenols. One tablespoon (about 13 g) has about 115-120 kcal: for a 10 kg (22 lb) dog, who needs around 500-600 kcal a day, that is a fifth of everything they should eat. In a homemade diet with very lean meats, a small amount of oil can help cover their fat needs, but it does not provide the long-chain omega-3s (EPA and DHA) wanted for skin and joints: those come from oily fish or fish oil.
The risk is the amount. A sudden excess of fat causes greasy stools and diarrhea, and in predisposed dogs (Miniature Schnauzers, overweight dogs or dogs who have had pancreatitis before) it can trigger pancreatitis. Used frying oil is worse: it is degraded and usually has food scraps in it. And you should never squirt oil into a dog's mouth for constipation or a hairball: if it goes down the airway it can cause aspiration pneumonia.
How to serve it
- Mixed into their food, never by the spoonful or forced into the mouth
- Measured with a teaspoon, not poured by eye
- Extra virgin olive oil, uncooked
- Subtracting those calories from the rest of their meal if they tend to gain weight
- Never used frying oil or the oil from canned fish or vegetables
How much can they eat?
Only if their diet needs it, and no more than: small dog (under 10 kg / 22 lb), 1-2 ml a day (a quarter to half a teaspoon); medium dog (10-25 kg / 22-55 lb), 2-5 ml (half to one teaspoon); large dog (over 25 kg / 55 lb), 5-10 ml (1-2 teaspoons). For dogs with past pancreatitis, high blood fats or excess weight, none without asking your vet.
Risks
- Diarrhea and greasy stools from too much
- Pancreatitis in predisposed dogs
- Weight gain: it is the most calorie-dense food in the kitchen
- Aspiration pneumonia if it is forced into the mouth
- Used frying oil or salty oil from canned food
Frequently asked questions
Is olive oil good for a dog's coat?
It can help if their diet is very low in fat, because skin and coat need fatty acids. But if they eat a complete commercial food or a well-made homemade diet, adding olive oil does not usually improve anything and it does add calories. For skin and coat, what has the most support is the omega-3s from oily fish or fish oil.
Does olive oil help with dog constipation?
It is not a good remedy. It can soften the stool a little, but at the dose needed it causes diarrhea and adds a lot of fat, and forcing it into the mouth can cause aspiration pneumonia. For mild constipation, water, walks and a little cooked pumpkin work better. If your dog has not pooped in more than two days or is in pain, see the vet.
Can I cook my dog's food with olive oil?
Yes, if the amount is measured. Homemade recipes sometimes use a teaspoon to cover fat needs when the meat is very lean. What is not a good idea is frying or sauteing with a generous pour, because the fat adds up fast. Better to boil, steam or bake, and add the oil uncooked and measured when you serve.
General information reviewed against veterinary sources. If your dog has eaten something that worries you, call your vet or a 24-hour emergency vet right away, without waiting for symptoms.