Olive Oil for Dogs

The antioxidants in olive oil aren’t just good for the health of humankind.

Golden Retriever

Lowering the risk of contracting cancer and heart disease, decreasing inflammation, contributing to healthy skin and hair (er, fur)---virtually all of the positive responses human bodies experience when olive oil is regularly added to a healthy diet show up in dogs, too.

Researchers have even found that a dog whose diet is supplemented with olive oil can digest protein more easily and, when that supplement is high-polyphenol EVOO, healthy male dogs have more robust sperm counts.

How Much Olive Oil?

Dog with dog food bowl

But there’s a tipping point at which olive oil goes from canine friend to canine foe. Dogs can only comfortably consume a very small amount without experiencing digestive issues and diarrhea. Vets recommend using just a quarter teaspoon for littles or half a teaspoon for large breeds.

Because olive oil tolerance depends on the individual though, even the recommended dose can be problematic. Adding tiny amounts of olive oil slowly over time will help determine where the line is for your pet.

It’s fine to share the bottle of extra-virgin olive oil in your kitchen with your pup but it should never be spooned directly into their mouth. Mixing EVOO into regular meals decreases the possibility of developing pancreatitis, a risk that’s also associated with consuming too much olive oil.

Olive Oil Supplements for Dogs

Olive oil for dogs

If you have any doubt about using culinary olive oil, try an olive oil supplement made specifically for pets instead. Although products like C60 Power for Pets, My VitalPet ESS60, and C60 Evo for Dogs are more expensive than a bottle sold in a grocery store, they often contain additional beneficial ingredients such as the powerful antioxidant C60 and/or dog-approved flavors like bacon. Explicit information about dosage by weight is laid out on the packaging and they contain eye-droppers for carefully withdrawing the formula from the bottle.

Ironically, while olive oil is safe to feed dogs in small amounts, the whole, brined fruit is a no go—though that’s due more to the high concentrations of salt in brined olives than the unsuitability of its flesh. If you come across an olive tree on a walk, one or two raw olives won’t hurt them a bit, just remove the pit first.

Using Olive Oil Topically

Dachshunds

There’s some evidence that olive oil can also have benefits when topically applied to dogs. In one case, when the skin transplanted over a deep cut in the lower back of a three-year-old Lab was treated with dressings soaked in ozonated olive oil, the oil didn’t just heal the wound within 35 days, the pup required no antibiotics in its recovery.

Regardless of its potential healing properties though, integrative veterinarian Dr. Ambika Vaid doesn’t recommend using it topically. “Dogs will lick it off and may consume more than you want them to,” Vaid told Rover.com. “This can also lead to incessant licking in the location you’ve applied it, causing hot spots and hair loss.”

Other Oils for Dogs

Running puppy

If you’re looking for a natural oil to apply topically to replenish and soothe itchy or dry skin, or to give a dog’s coat more luster, try coconut. Along with moisturizing and providing protection, it offers some beneficial antifungal properties. Like olive oil, it’s fine to use culinary coconut oil from the grocer for this purpose, but there are also (more expensive) versions formulated specifically for pets like Zesty Paws Coconut Oil.

While coconut oil is the most easily accessible option for soothing canine skin naturally, studies have shown that neem oil can also significantly improve symptoms of dermatitis like itching and redness. Neem oil often comes in doggy shampoo form, like Ark Naturals Neem Protect Dog & Cat Shampoo or Warren London Neem Oil Itch Relieving Dog Shampoo, as well as in sprays. Researchers have also found that canine-safe creams, sprays, and shampoos containing 10% tea tree oil, like Richard’s Organics Incredible Skin Spray, do an excellent job treating dry, itchy skin topically, too.

In small amounts, olive oil is a beneficial supplement to a dog’s regular diet, providing antioxidants and some protection against diseases like cancer. It can even help them to maintain a healthy skin and coat. But if your pup needs a topical formula to ease itching or redness, trade out the olive oil for a more pet-friendly one like coconut, neem, or tea tree.