What happens if I give olive oil to my dog?

For many years, world medical science has agreed on this olive oil is a superfood for the health of all men and women who inhabit the earth.

Monounsaturated oil rich in antioxidants that nourish the body’s cells, providing us with excellent nutrients such as vitamin E, Omega 3 and healthy fats.

The Spanish Heart Foundationan organization that carries out numerous studies on olive oil, does not hesitate to classify it on its website as an “inexhaustible source of health”.

And it underlines that “thanks to its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid), olive oil brings other important benefits:

• Increases HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
• Reduces LDL-c cholesterol (bad cholesterol).
• Beneficial in the control of high blood pressure.
• It reduces the occurrence of thrombosis and prevents the onset of diabetes.

However. All these wonderful benefits are transferable to ours dogs? Can we share olive oil with our beloved four-legged furry friend?

What happens if I give olive oil to my dog?

The specialized site Animal Field It tells us that dogs can eat olive oil in small amounts as part of their regular diet. But it has to be olive oil extra virgin, of early development. That is: as pure as possible. Without subsequent production integrations. Too much and too little can cause diarrhea and vomiting.

But the site does not hesitate to highlight on its site the very obvious benefits of olive oil for dogs:

1. Promotes gastrointestinal function. As in humans, olive oil also helps better digestion in dogs.
2. Protects the skin and promotes the hair. Applied as an ointment on the body and fur it is very good.
3. Strengthens the function of the immune system. Carotenoids, polyphenols and other antioxidants help strengthen dogs’ immune systems and fight free radical damage in their bodies.
4. Promotes good cardiovascular health. It reduces cholesterol levels and promotes blood pressure.
5. Actively collaborates with brain health. It does this by preventing age-related cognitive decline.
6. Promotes joint health. It helps with very specific problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia, arthritis and osteoarthritis.

What dose of olive oil should I give my dog?

Another great site specializing in dogs, Animal expertpublishes on its website the way to administer olive oil to them according to the size and weight of the animal. And it generates a very easy to follow equivalence table:

• Small dogs (10 kg) = 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil per day. Medium-sized dogs (11 to 30 kg) = 1 teaspoon of olive oil per day.
• large dogs (over 30 kg) = 1 and a half tablespoons of olive oil per day.

In his publication he also recommends mixing the dose of olive oil with the feed (premium veterinarian). But also our usual homemade diets or with wet food in general.

We can also apply it in a toasted bread with rice flourfor example, or a food that contains some of the grains that are good for dogs, such as brown rice or oats.

What happens if we overdo it with olive oil on our dog?

As we have already seen, olive oil, in small doses, will be good for our dog in many ways. Your health long term. And it can be administered regularly.

It is always advisable to start by administering small doses to test and then reach the maximum allowed, as indicated in this note. But what happens if we exceed the quantity? What reaction will the puppy have?

The Spanish site Oleo Palma, which produces its own oil from the Guadalquivir Valley in Spain, points out the side effects of giving our dog too much olive oil. These effects are:

1. Stomach ache: Olive oil can be difficult for some dogs to digest and cause symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea.
2. Weight gain: Olive oil is high in calories, so giving too much to a dog can contribute to weight gain.
3. Nutritional imbalance: If dogs are given too much olive oil, this can unbalance their diet and affect their long-term health.
4. Interference with medications: Olive oil may interfere with the absorption of some medications, such as oral contraceptives and anticoagulants.