Can I add olive oil to my cats wet food

Are Olives Safe for My Cat?

Have you noticed that your cat comes running whenever you open a can of olives? Maybe you've even offered an olive to your kitty, only to see them react with unbridled excitement. But should cats eat olives? What about olive oil? Although it can be a lot of fun to share these salty snacks with your cat, you'll want to consider a few things before you do.

Why Do Cats Love Olives?

There are no scientific studies that delve into the mysterious reasons as to why cats go crazy for olives, but there are some theories. Some cats may just love the taste or enjoy the interaction with you during treat time. Others may like the way they feel after eating olives. That's because olives, particularly green olives, contain an active chemical compound that's very similar in structure to a compound found in catnip called nepetalactone, according to Wired. Nepetalactone is the active chemical that is thought to be responsible for the silly behavior that cats exhibit after consuming the leaves, stems and flowers of catnip.

But how does nepetalactone work? As noted by Mental Floss, nepetalactone is an organic chemical that interacts with the vomeronasal organ of a cat. The vomeronasal organ is located at the top of the back of the throat in cats and other mammals, although most scientists agree that humans don't have this organ. The vomeronasal organ is basically a sensing, smelling nose-brain that cats use to detect pheromones, which are sex hormones that cats emit to let other kitties know that they're ready to breed. Nepetalactone stimulates the pheromone receptors in a cat's vomeronasal organ, causing mind-altering effects that make them act loopy, calm or agitated. After consuming nepetalactone, your kitty may roll around, act sillier and more playful than usual and have dilated eyes.

Not all cats act silly after eating catnip or olives, though. Your kitty may enjoy eating olives and experience no changes in their behavior whatsoever after snacking on them.

Can Cats Eat Olives Safely?

In general, olives are not a dangerous food for cats; they're considered safe for them to consume in very small quantities. Eating a tiny olive snack, meaning less than a whole olive, a couple of times a week should be fine for your kitty if they've eaten olives in the past without any negative side effects.

But can cats eat olives and olive oil? They're regarded as healthy snacks for humans, but olives should be considered purely empty-calorie treats for cats. And olive oil may not be a welcome addition in your cat's diet more to come on that later. Though they may taste delicious and have an amusing effect on your kitty's behavior, olives are known to be high in sodium, and therefore, should make up no more than 10 percent of your cat's daily calories, as with any treat.

Can Cats Have Olive Oil?

Olive oil is considered a healthy part of human nutrition, but can cats eat olive oil? Yes, although it may not be a good idea.

Although olive oil isn't considered poisonous to cats, consuming too much of any fat, including olive oil, may cause your cat to experience diarrhea and vomiting. If you use olive oil for cooking, a tiny piece of food cooked in it shouldn't be a cause for alarm if your cat eats some, as long as your cat doesn't exhibit any adverse health effects afterward.

Safety Concerns About Olives

Generally speaking, there are few safety concerns with cats eating olives or olive oil other than the possibility of mild stomach upset or diarrhea. Avoid giving your kitty olives in the future if you notice any negative side effects after they consume this snack.

Olives are often stuffed with delicious human-friendly treats, like blue cheese, almonds, garlic, sausage or pickled jalapenos. While olives are not considered to be toxic to cats, the items they're stuffed with may be. Avoid giving your cat olives stuffed with anything other than a pimento or olives that have pits, as pits can be a choking hazard or can cause intestinal obstruction if they're swallowed.

The other main concern with olives and olive oil is sodium toxicity. According to the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of California, "Harvested olives must be 'cured' to remove the bitterness in order to make them palatable." This is commonly achieved through brining. Salt-brined olives are high in sodium, and feeding these to your cat on a regular basis may expose them to harmful levels of salt.

Olives aren't a good treat if your cat has health concerns with sodium, such as heart disease or kidney disease. It's also important to note that washing olives with water doesn't reduce the amount of sodium that's present in them. However, healthy cats can typically indulge in a quarter of a large olive or half of a small olive a couple of times a week without experiencing any negative health effects. Always try to limit any snacks separate of your cat's regular food to not exceed ten percent of their daily caloric content. Also, always check with your veterinarian before feeding any food not specifically formulated made for cats.

Contributor Bio

Dr. Sarah Wooten

A 2002 graduate of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Sarah Wooten is a well-known international speaker in the veterinary and animal health care spaces. She has 10 years experience in public speaking and media work, and writes for a large number of online and print animal health publications. Dr. Wooten is also a certified veterinary journalist, a member of the AVMA, and has 16 years of experience in small animal veterinary practice.

In addition to being a speaker, author, veterinarian and co-creator of the wildly popular card game Vets Against Insanity, she co-owns Elevated Eateries Restaurant group in Greeley, Colorado, with her husband of 21 years. Together, they are also raising three slightly feral mini-humans. When it's time to play, she can be found skiing in Colorado, diving with sharks in the Caribbean, or training kenpo karate in her local dojo. To learn more, visit drsarahwooten.com.

Can Cats Eat Olive Oil? Vet-Approved Nutritional Facts & FAQ

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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The health benefits of olive oil for people are well-established. Evidence suggests it can improve cardiovascular health by lowering LDL, what is referred to as bad cholesterol. Many pet owners consider their animal companions family members. Just as youd give your kids the best foods, you may wonder, can cats have olive oil?

The short answer is that they can because its not technically harmful. However, its also not a great idea because of the calories and content. Lets take a deep dive into the details.

Nutritional Content of Olive Oil

Olive oil is 100% fat, packing a significant caloric punch. A single tablespoon contains 124 calories ¹. It doesnt offer a lot of nutritional value other than some vitamin E, vitamin K, and choline. It also contains 14 grams of total fat. Its value lies in the fact that it has more monounsaturated fatty acids than saturated fat.

Felines differ from humans because they are obligate carnivores, with animal-based proteins making up the bulk of their intake. This diet has influenced their metabolism and physiology. They have evolved the unique ability to use amino acid oxidation for energy ². Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. This trait differs from people and canines that tap glucose for their needs.

Olive oil contains no protein. Therefore, it wont help cats on that score. However, fat is a potent energy source that provides twice as many calories as carbohydrates. Scientists havent set minimum amounts for felines for this macronutrient. Cats simply dont need them in the way we do. Its a moot point since olive doesnt have any carbs. That leaves us with its fat content.

The Fat Content of Olive Oil

According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), cats should get 9% of the calories from fat, regardless of their life stage ³. There are 14 grams of fat in a tablespoon of olive oil. However, the elephant in the room is the calories. A 10-pound adult cat should get about 200 calories daily. That tablespoon amounts to 6269% of a pets total caloric intake while providing scant nutritional value.

Research has shown that felines can adapt to varying carbohydrate and protein intakes to some degree ⁴. Many cat foods meet or exceed the recommended fat percentage, particularly with commercial dry diets. While that may seem like a red flag, one review of studies of feral cats found that it may point to a way to improve pet diets⁵.

Presumably, food intakes would consist of foods that offer the best nutritional value. Interestingly, the researchers found that the diets of free-living cats averaged 52% protein and 46% fat. Granted, they have higher energy needs if they must find their own food as opposed to getting it from a bowl filled with yummy goodness every morning. Regardless, it shows the importance of fat.

Fats are crucial to cats despite the obesity risk. They need them to absorb vital fat-soluble vitamins like A and E. They need them to produce cell membranes and control inflammation. Fats also play a role in the functioning of the nervous system and skin health. The key is moderation. However, nature has another card to play in the question of olive oil and your pet in an unexpected way.

Another Twist to the Tale

Some cats love olives, particularly the green ones. The reason is their isoprenoid content. This class of chemical compounds includes another one that provokes dramatic reactions in many petsnepetalactone. It is the ingredient that gives catnip its distinctive scent and euphoric properties that some pets experience.

Scientists theorize that nepetalactone gives plants insect-repelling properties that also benefit felines that roll around in the stuff. Anecdotal accounts rave about pets loving the unripe fruit. Its worth mentioning that it might be the salt content that attracts cats. However, this information provides evidence for a feline liking olive oil, regardless of its health risks.

Final Thoughts

Olive oil may not be the best treat for your cat, but its not harmful when given in moderation. We dont recommend making it a regular part of your pets diet because of its high caloric content. We cant ignore the fact that an estimated 61% of cats are obese. Theres no reason to throw fuel on the fire with something your pet doesnt need in her diet. Stick to the fat their commercial diet provides.

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Featured Image Credit: masa44, Shutterstock

Benefits of Olive Oil for Cats

Olive oil is considered a superfood thanks to its many nutrients and nutritional benefits. Olive oil is just as healthy for cats as it is for humans.

In this AnimalWised article, we're going to discuss the benefits of olive oil for cats. We'll also look into the different uses for olive oil for cats.

Nutritional value of olive oil

One tablespoon of olive oil contains about 119 calories and 14 grams of fat, making it a high calorie food product. The good news is that the fat is healthy, mostly monounsaturated, around 6.7 grams and polyunsaturated, 4.6 grams. A small amount of calories come from saturated fat.

To have a better understanding, let's look at the other nutritional value of olive oil. The following nutrition information is provided by the USDA for one tablespoon (15g) of olive oil:

• Calories: 119
• Fat: 14g
• Sodium: 0.3mg
• Carbohydrates: 0g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 0g
• Protein: 0g

Is olive oil safe for cats?

Yes, olive oil is non-toxic to cats. In fact, olive oil can be a great supplement in a cat's diet. In other words, not only is olive oil safe for cats, but it is also beneficial for their diet and overall health.

Benefits of olive oil for cats

Feeding our pet a nutritious and healthy diet is guaranteed to achieve positive results. Not only in the health of the cat but also in their state of mind. These are some of the benefits of olive oils for cats:

• Improves the immune system
• Offers great nutritional value
• Has good monounsaturated fats
• Facilitates weight loss in cats
• Natural remedy for constipation
• Promotes healthy skin and fur
• Can reduce the risk of diabetes
• Can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases

Try to buy virgin olive oil when possible as it is less processed than other olive oils. This will ensure that your cat receives more of the nutritional value. As you can see, olive oil has many benefits for cats. Thankfully, cats also enjoy the taste.

Olive oil as a natural remedy for cats

Olive oil is one of the best natural remedies for constipation in cats. Cats suffer greatly from this problem, which seems minuscule but can be problematic and even lead to death.

Constipation can be both mild and chronic. If your cat is constipated and has difficulty defecating, it is because their diet does not contain enough fiber and their digestive system is not working properly. As a remedy you can give them a teaspoon of olive oil with their normal wet food. The olive oil will stimulate their bowel movements and make the stool more liquid and easy to discard.

Olive oil is also excellent for improving the shine and softness of your cat's fur thanks to its moisturizing properties. It will also help hydrate and keep their skin healthy. Lastly, olive oil will help cats get rid of any hairballs stuck on their throat.

How much olive oil you should feed your cat

Besides having pure positive properties for the health of your cat, olive oil is easily affordable and accessible. You can find it in any supermarket or organic food store.

Many people ask how much olive oil can you feed a cat. You can include one tablespoon of olive oil in your pet's meal 1-3 times a week. Mix it well so the oil is absorbed by the food. That's all you have to do!

If you found this article useful, you may be interested in our article about Olive Oil for Dogs.

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