Have you ever noticed your cat running to an open can of olives? When offered an olive, many kitties react with excitement. While it’s fun to share these salty snacks, it’s important to consider their safety for feline consumption, including the effects of olive oil on their diet.
Can Cats Eat Olives?
Cats can eat olives, and their interest in them is often seen when they go crazy for the scent. Olives are perfect for paw size, making them fun for cats to chase around the kitchen.
Dr. Sarah Wooten, a certified veterinary journalist, advises that you can feed your cat olives in small quantities, such as less than a whole olive a couple of times a week. If they have eaten them before without any side effects, it’s usually safe. Olives are generally not toxic but shouldn’t form a significant portion of their diet due to high sodium and empty calories.
Why Do Cats like Olives?
Scientific studies have yet to delve deeply into the mysterious reasons why cats go crazy for olives. Among various theories, one suggests their love for the taste and the interaction they have as a treat. At the same time, eating green olives might make cats feel active due to a chemical compound similar in structure to nepetalactone, the substance Wired in catnip responsible for silly behavior when consuming its leaves, stems, and flowers.
The attraction of cats to olives may be linked to nepetalactone, an organic chemical found in olives that interacts with the vomeronasal organ in a cat, located at the top back of their throat. Unlike humans, who don’t use this organ for sensing smells through their nose-brain connection, cats can detect certain pheromones and sex hormones that emit from olives. This interaction stimulates receptors, causing mind-altering effects in cats, making them loopy, calm, or agitated after consuming olives. They may roll, act sillier, and become more playful than usual, with dilated eyes being a common reaction.
Cats often act silly after eating olives, similar to their reaction to catnip. This is because olives can cause changes in behavior, making your kitty enjoy a unique experience while snacking on them.
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Can Cats Eat Olives Safely?
In general, olives are not a dangerous food for cats and can be safe to consume in small quantities. Eating a tiny snack of less than a whole olive, a couple of times a week, is usually fine for your kitty, especially if they have eaten them in the past without any negative side effects.
While cats can eat olives and olive oil, these are regarded more as healthy snacks for humans but only considered empty-calorie treats for felines. Their addition to a cat’s diet should be limited; while the taste might be delicious and have an amusing effect on their behavior, olives are high in sodium. They should not exceed 10 percent of your cat’s daily calories as a treat.
Can Cats Have Olive Oil?
While olive oil is healthy in human nutrition, for cats, it’s not always a good idea to let them eat it. It’s not considered poisonous, but consuming too much can lead to issues like fat, diarrhea, or vomiting. Using it in cooking or adding a tiny piece to food that’s been cooked with it won’t cause alarm, but watch for any adverse health effects afterward.
Safety Concerns about Olives
While olives and olive oil can be part of a cat’s diet, sodium toxicity is a major concern, as noted by the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of California. Cured to reduce bitterness and make them more palatable, brining results in salt-brined olives being high in sodium, potentially leading to harmful levels of salt and related health concerns like heart disease or kidney disease.
Washing olives in water can help reduce the sodium present. For healthy cats, indulging in a quarter of a large olive or half of a small olive should avoid negative health effects, but always consider the snacks’ daily caloric content and consult your veterinarian for treats specifically formulated and made for cats.
Can Cats Eat Olives on Occasion?
A bite of an olive now and then is unlikely to harm your cat, but be cautious of stomach problems due to the sodium content in olives.
Olives are not toxic to cats, but there are reasons to limit or avoid feeding them, as explained by Dr. Squillace from The Dodo. The brine in olives contains sodium, which, if ingested in large quantities, can lead to stomach problems, diarrhea, or even metabolic imbalances that could be fatal for cats.
Olives, if prepared without ingredients toxic to a cat like garlic, can be given plain in moderation. However, stuffed olives or those mixed with other foods can pose problems due to potentially toxic additives, as advised by Dr. Squillace. Always keep away from pitted olives, as the pits are a choking hazard. This caution is reiterated by Dr. Squillace, emphasizing the importance of safety in your cat’s diet.
How Many Olives Would it Take to Make a Cat Sick?
The amount of olives that can make a cat sick depends on various factors like their age, weight, and existing health problems such as heart disease or kidney disease. The type of olive matters too, as noted by Dr. Squillace.
A cat that enjoys olives can safely have them after you remove the pit and feed them sparingly in small quantities. Although not inherently harmful, these treats should be limited to small portions. If a cat does eat a bunch, it’s wise to call the vet. In general, treats should not exceed 10 percent of a cat’s diet, and always check with a veterinarian before introducing any new food.
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Can Cats Eat Green Olives?
Green olives are alluring to cats due to their unique chemical compound called isoprenoids, which are active like catnip and bind to receptors in the vomeronasal organ, causing behavioral changes. They are acceptable as a treat in moderation, perhaps a couple of days a week, with less than a whole olive. To ensure safety, avoid olives with preservatives or additives; plain, unsalted olives are the best choice.
Can Cats Eat Black Olives?
Like green olives, black olives are non-toxic to cats but caution is needed since they often contain pits which can be dangerous if ingested. Contrary to green ones, black olives are ripe when picked and are cured and packed differently, often in oil with less salt. In moderation and in their natural form, black olives can be a great treat for cats.
Benefits of Olives For Cats
Olives can add to a cat’s diet with their high concentration of vitamins like C, A, and E. Though cats don’t benefit much since they naturally produce vitamin C and their diets focus on protein, from a nutritional point of view, olives are healthier than some other fruit or vegetable options. However, in a medical sense, the need for olives in a cat’s diet is often met with varied opinions, not always consistent among veterinarians and pet nutritionists.
Olives are rich in vitamins and possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help in destroying free radicals and preventing cell damage that can lead to diseases like cancer. These anti-inflammatory foods can ease symptoms of arthritis in cats. In addition, including such foods can help felines regain mobility by reducing pain. However, always consult your veterinarian to advise on the benefits of olives in your cat’s diet.
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Can Cats Eat Black & Green Olives?
When snacking on a jar of olives, you might catch your cat trying to steal a bite. Both black and green olives are not toxic to cats. However, feeding them should be done cautiously. The reasons cats eat them and whether it’s safe to feed them is covered in this article, which provides an overview of olive toxicity, risk factors, and their attractiveness to cats.
If your cat has snuck a few black olives or green olives, don’t fret. Olives are not poisonous or toxic to cats, but they can result in adverse side effects if eaten in large quantities. Moderation is key when feeding them, as many olives can lead to stomach issues.
They’re often soaked in brine, high in sodium, which, when consuming excessively, could make your cat throw up or suffer from constipation or diarrhea. The main reason it’s dangerous if a cat eats a lot of olives is the olive juice. However, small or moderate amounts are generally safe for them to consume, much like the process humans follow.
Avoid Feeding Your Cats Olives
While olives are not toxic to cats, it’s not necessarily a good idea to give them as treats. As mentioned, olives are high in sodium content, which can lead to adverse health reactions if a cat consumes too much at one time.
A key reason to avoid feeding your cat olives is the choking hazard they present. Olives with a pit can get stuck in a cat’s throat, so it’s best to avoid feeding your cat olives with pits to ensure they can breathe and eat properly.
For a cat with diabetes, it’s especially important not to feed olives. Studies have shown that olives can cause insulin sensitivity when consumed by diabetic cats. As a result, you should not ever feed a diabetic cat olives, regardless of the type.
Also Read: Cat Eats Other Cats Food
Better Alternatives to Black & Green Olives
Considering olives can be potentially dangerous for cats, despite their crazy for the flavor, it’s wise to look for reasons and alternatives for feeding your cat something other than green or black olives. There are many safe and enjoyable options that don’t involve the risks associated with olives.
Many companies today take advantage of the fact that cats love olives by creating olive-infused cat food. For example, there are different cat food varieties you can find on chewy.com that are flavored like olives, offering olive-flavored treats and toys that your cat might like.
Conclusion
While cats may show interest in olives, it’s important to exercise caution when considering them as a treat. While olives themselves aren’t toxic, their high sodium content poses risks, especially in large quantities. Additionally, pits present a choking hazard. While some cats may enjoy olives in moderation, it’s wise to opt for safer alternatives. Consulting with a veterinarian about appropriate treats tailored to your cat’s needs ensures their health and enjoyment. Ultimately, while the allure of olives may be tempting, prioritizing your feline friend’s well-being is paramount in selecting suitable treats for them.
