Food safety
Can Dogs Eat Olives? Yes, a Few Plain Pitted Ones
Yes, dogs can eat olives in small amounts, as long as they are plain and pitted. Olives are not toxic to dogs, and the AKC says plain, unsalted ones can be a reasonable snack. The hazards are the pit, which can crack teeth or block the gut, and the salt. Most jarred and canned olives sit in brine, and many are stuffed or marinated with garlic, which dogs should not eat.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read2 sources
Why plain olives are safe
Olives are a fruit with healthy monounsaturated fats, a little fiber and vitamin E, and nothing known to poison dogs. Green and black olives are equally safe from a toxicity point of view; the difference is mostly in ripeness and curing.
They are a salty, fatty food, though, so they belong in the occasional-treat column. The ASPCA warns that too much salt makes pets very thirsty and in large amounts can cause vomiting, tremors and worse, so a few olives is the limit, not a bowlful.
Pits, brine and stuffed olives
The pit is the biggest risk. The AKC notes that olive pits can cause choking, block the airway, crack a tooth or lodge in the intestine. Buy pitted olives, or remove the pit yourself, and do not let your dog pick up pits dropped from a cheese board.
Watch the extras. Olives stuffed with garlic, blue cheese, almonds or jalapeño, and olives marinated in garlic, herbs and chili flakes are not suitable. A martini olive brings alcohol, which is dangerous for dogs. If your dog ate garlic-stuffed olives or a drink, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435; a fee may apply.
How to serve olives to your dog
Pick plain pitted olives, ideally low-sodium or canned in water. If you only have brined olives, rinse them under running water and soak them in fresh water for a few minutes to wash off some salt. Slice each olive into rings or quarters for small dogs.
Offer them as a single treat or chop a few into the food bowl. Skip olive tapenade and olive bread, which usually contain garlic, anchovy, capers and a lot of salt, and keep pizza crusts with olives off the floor.
Spreading a few safe pieces across a snuffle mat or packing them into a puzzle toy turns a small treat into a few minutes of sniffing work.
How many olives by dog size
Under 20 lb: one olive, sliced. Between 20 and 50 lb: two olives. Over 50 lb: up to three olives. That is an occasional treat, not a daily one, and the counts assume plain, rinsed olives.
Dogs with heart or kidney disease, high blood pressure or a low-sodium diet should skip olives entirely unless their vet says otherwise. Dogs prone to pancreas trouble should also avoid oily, fatty extras like olives and olive oil.
Olive oil and puppies
A small drizzle of olive oil on food is not dangerous, but it is pure fat and calories. Too much leads to loose stool and, over time, weight gain. If you want to add fat to your dog's diet for a reason, ask your vet rather than adding oil on your own.
Puppies can try a quarter of a plain, pitted olive once they are eating solid food well. They do not need olives, and their small throats make pits even more dangerous, so keep the jar and any pits out of reach.
Signs of trouble and when to call the vet
Too many salty olives can cause excessive thirst and urination, vomiting or diarrhea within a day. Give fresh water and skip treats. A swallowed pit may show up hours to a couple of days later as vomiting, retching, drooling, a painful belly, straining or refusing food.
Call your vet the same day if your dog swallowed pits and shows any of those signs, if a small dog ate a lot of brined olives, or if your dog seems wobbly, very weak or is shaking. Those can mean a blockage or salt trouble that needs treatment.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Can dogs eat black olives?
Yes. Plain, pitted black olives are safe in small amounts. Canned black olives are often salty, so rinse them first and give only one or two. Avoid any flavored with garlic.
Can dogs eat green olives?
Yes, in small amounts, if they are pitted and plain. Green olives are often brined and stuffed with garlic, cheese or peppers, so check the jar and rinse off the brine before sharing.
What if my dog ate an olive pit?
Watch closely and call your vet, especially for a small dog or several pits. Pits can crack teeth or lodge in the gut. Vomiting, straining, belly pain or refusing food need prompt attention.
Can dogs eat Kalamata olives?
Kalamata olives are not toxic, but they are cured in salty brine and often marinated in oil and herbs. A single rinsed, pitted one is the most to give, and garlic-marinated ones should be skipped.
Is olive oil good for dogs?
Olive oil is not toxic, but it is high in fat and calories and can cause loose stool. A complete dog food already supplies the fats dogs need, so ask your vet before adding oil regularly.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
