When it comes to cooking, many of us love including olives as an essential ingredient in our cuisine. It’s understandable why humans have such an affinity to olives… not only do they pair well with drinks, but they also go great with foods like pizza, pasta, salads, and more.  

Many pet owners love to cook for their furry friends because pets are considered a big part of their family. 

Most owners’ intentions are to make sure their cats are being fed just as well as they would feed themselves. 

Cats actually love the smell and taste of olives, and some even feel a euphoric sensation from it. 

CAN CATS EAT OLIVES?

The short answer is…yes, olives are not poisonous to cats, but it depends on the type of olive. However, you should only feed olives to your cat in moderation. 

If you are feeding your cat a natural olive, with no artificial preservatives, then it should be fine for your furry friend to eat. 

It is also important to know that excessive sodium can be toxic to cats. Some natural olives even have a higher amount of sodium than your cat may be able to handle. So it is necessary to be aware of that. 

Olives with artificial preservatives tend to have a high amount of sodium, which can be poisonous to cats. 

You should be cautious of giving salted or seasoned olives to your cat because it can be very dangerous for them and potentially could be fatal. 

DOES FEEDING OLIVES TO CATS HAVE ANY HEALTH BENEFITS? 

Olives do not have any nutritional value to cats. For humans, olives provide a healthy source of Vitamins A and C. However, cats produce their own Vitamin C, and Vitamin A can be found in the flesh of other animals. 

To answer the question – yes, olives can have health benefits for cats only when a cat needs more antioxidants. Because there are many different kinds of olives, most of them have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. 

Olives have also shown to prevent cancer and aid cats that have arthritis. 

If your pet is healthy then it is okay to feed olives every once in a while. However, if your cat is not healthy, then you should definitely avoid giving them.

RISKS OF FEEDING OLIVES TO CATS 

As stated above, there are some risks when it comes to feeding olives to your cat. 

It is important to know that olives are not poisonous to cats. The biggest thing to be aware of is how much sodium content it has. 

Olives with artificial preservatives could possibly contain an excessive amount of sodium, which can be toxic for your cat.

Common symptoms of sodium poisoning include: vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, frequent urination, loss of appetite, seizures, and tremors. These symptoms can ultimately lead to kidney failure, and potentially be life-threatening.

If any of these symptoms occur after you feed olives to your cat, you should immediately visit your veterinarian to get help.  

Too much sodium intake can also cause your cat to get high blood pressure, which could later lead to a stroke or heart attack. 

The high acidity in olives can also alter the pH balance in your cat’s urine and eventually lead to urinary tract infections. 

When purchasing olives at the grocery store, you should consider getting the ones that come unsalted. 

HOW OFTEN CAN YOU FEED OLIVES TO YOUR CATS?

When you see your furry friend sniffing away at a fragrant jar of olives, it can be very tempting to offer a piece. However, you should be cautious of the potential consequences.

One key fact about olives is that they do not provide any nutritional value to cats. So, you should only feed olives to your cats in moderation if they are healthy. If your cat is not healthy, then it would be wise to avoid giving it to them at all. 

CAN CATS EAT GREEN OLIVES?

Yes, green olives are not poisonous for cats if given in small doses. Pet owners should make sure to taste test to check that there is not a high amount of sodium before letting their furry friends try it. 

CAN CATS EAT BLACK OLIVES?

The answer is yes. Similar to their counterparts, black olives are not toxic for cats. Black olives are actually bitter compared to the former. This is because they contain more oil and less salt than green olives. Therefore, they are okay to give your cats if done in small doses. 

CAN CATS EAT KALAMATA OLIVES?

Cats can be fed kalamata olives. This olive differentiates from the other types due to its large size and dark purple color. 

Kalamata olives are nutrient-rich and provide antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and prevent cancer and arthritis. They also contain monounsaturated fats which can improve a cat’s health. 

With that being said, you should only give kalamata olives to your cat every once in a while because of the high sodium they contain, which could be poisonous to your pet. 

WHAT IF MY CAT EATS THE OLIVE PIT?

Many owners worry about whether their cats are in danger if they accidentally swallow the olive pit. 

The good news is that the olive pit is not poisonous to your pet. It will end up passing through your cat’s bowel movements.  

However, you should know that if your cat eats many of them, it could eventually lead to intestinal blockage issues. 

DO CATS EXPERIENCE A EUPHORIC FEELING FROM OLIVES?

Yes, many cats do tend to experience a feeling of euphoria when they smell olives. This is because olives contain the chemical isoprenoid. This chemical stimulates the cat’s receptors and creates a feeling of bliss, similar to how catnip prompts cats to feel happy. 

CONCLUSION

In summation, are pet owners able to feed olives to their cats? The answer is yes, you can give olives to your furry friend. 

However, you should consider administering it in moderation because some types of olives have an excessive amount of sodium, which ultimately could be toxic to your pet.

The most important thing you need to consider is the amount of sodium in the olives. You should taste test them to see how salty they are before giving to your pets. When you go to the grocery store, you should be looking for unsalted and unseasoned olives.

I personally do not see any reason to feed your cats olives since there are many other nutrient-rich foods that could benefit them more. 

Have you ever tried giving your cat olives before? Let me know in the comment section!