Olives, known by the scientific name Olea europaea (European olive), are a small, oval shaped fruit known for their delicious taste and high nutrient content. Olives, whether black or green, contain high levels of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and healthy fats, which are important for human health.
Studies show that olives can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and may also protect against osteoporosis, heart disease and certain cancers and more..
So, can dogs eat black olives? Are black olives bad for dogs? No, black olives aren’t bad for dogs. olives (both green and black) are safe and non toxic to canines. If your dog ate black olive (maybe 1 or 2), she’s probably fine, and there’s no need to worry. But if your dog consumed a large amount of olives, you may want to contact your veterinarian, especially if they still contain the pits.
However, even if olives are safe for dogs, this doesn’t mean that you can give your dog olives all the time, and most definitely doesn’t mean that you can give him whatever type of olive that you can find available at home.
For example, pickled or canned olives, tend to contain very high levels of sodium and spices as well. Too much sodium is unhealthy and inappropriate for dogs and can lead to dehydration and even toxicity.
High sodium isn’t the only thing you need to look for on the label. Check for any hints of garlic or onion, these vegetables are potentially toxic, and can cause red blood cell destruction and result in anemia.
Tips before feeding you dogs olives:
- The best form of olives you can feed your dog is plain, unsalted olives.
- Any olive must have the pit or seed removed from it first before giving it to your dog, as the pit can pose a choking hazard, and can damage his teeth if he chew on it.
- Try to stay as far away from jarred or canned olives, as they tend to contain very high levels of sodium.
- Always check your olive’s ingredients. Fancier stuffed olives are stuffed with foods that aren’t good for your dog, like garlic, and onions, which can be toxic to dogs.
- Moderation is necessary, olives are high in calories (100g of olives contain approximately 115 calories), too many olives can add unnecessary calories to your dog’s diet.
Which are better for dogs: black olives or green olives?
Practically, you can give your dog either the green or the black olives. Both contain contain high levels of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and healthy fats. There is nothing wrong with the idea of giving dogs green or black olives as long as they are plain, unsalted, fresh and organic.
Organic olives obviously cost more but are more safer when considering your dog’s health.
Read next: How many apples can a dog eat?