Help! My Dog Ate Olive Oil

The purpose of this research is to explain “Help! My Dog Ate Olive Oil“.

Among many other anti-inflammatory compounds olive oil is rich in antioxidants vitamin E and vitamin K.

Moreover it contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which are excellent for heart health as well as monounsaturated fats which make it heat resistant and excellent for cooking. 

Humans and animals benefit greatly from olive oil but what about our furry friends?

Do dogs benefit from olive oil and how does it react to their bodies?

Find out more about olive oils effects on dogs if you’re concerned about your dog eating it.

1. Is olive oil toxic to dogs?

Dogs cannot be poisoned by olive oil. In fact olive oil contains many vitamins and antioxidants that benefit dogs. Besides maintaining a healthy and shiny coat extra-virgin olive oil boosts the dogs immune system and helps prevent diseases as well as improves cognitive and bone functions. 

Give your dog small amounts of olive oil to maintain a shiny coat and reduce shedding. Olive oil contains antioxidants that protect cells from damage reducing inflammation and preventing diseases like cancer. 

2. Can you give your dog too much olive oil?

You should give your dog high-quality extra virgin olive oil which is the purest form of olive oil made from the first pressing of olives and is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Mixing olive oil into your dogs regular food whether dry or wet is the best way to give it to them. 

Veterinary professionals recommend giving olive oil according to a dogs weight so for a 20-pound dog 1 teaspoon of olive oil should be given. You should add 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil to the food of a 20-pound dog a half teaspoon to the food of a 10-pound dog two teaspoons to the food of a 40-pound dog and a few drops to the food of a very small dogs. 

Its also important to know that some commercial dog foods include olive oil as an ingredient so if you decide to give your dog olive oil ensure you do not give them too much which can lead to weight gain. Fat and calories are high in olive oil; one tablespoon contains 31.5 grams of fat and 120 calories therefore adding this oil to your pets food will also add extra calories.

3. What are the symptoms of olive oil poisoning in my dog?

Despite not being toxic or poisonous to dogs olive oil can cause inflammation and gastrointestinal distress when consumed in large quantities. The excess fat can irritate a dogs stomach when consumed in large quantities. 

If you consume too much olive oil at once you may develop Pancreatitis a condition characterized by abdominal pain nausea vomiting diarrhea lethargy and decreased appetite. 

The stomachs of dogs with sensitive stomachs will also be upset after eating olive oil. Despite olive oils antioxidants and vitamins it is also high in fat which is why it can trigger gastritis and pancreatitis. During a bout of gastritis or pancreatitis your dog may be seen in a “praying position” to cope with the pain and discomfort. 

4. How can I help a dog that has had too much olive oil?

It is possible for your dog to experience very serious discomfort and pain as a result of gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) or pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). 

In addition to vomiting and diarrhea dogs suffering from any of the above will exhibit a lack of appetite and low energy levels. The first thing you can do as a pet parent in this situation is to withhold food from your dog so he will not eat anything that will further irritate his stomach. 

In addition to withholding solid food from your dog for the first 24 hours you should also provide them with fluids as vomiting and diarrhea can quickly dehydrate your pet. Drink small amounts of water frequently to ensure that your dog is replenishing the liquids he has lost and stays hydrated. 

If the vomiting and stooling stop after the first day then you can gradually introduce a bland diet of simple boiled white rice plain boiled chicken breast boiled white fish or scrambled eggs without any seasoning or oils. 

5. In what ways can olive oil be good for your dog?

Dogs and humans both benefit from olive oil and it can work wonders for your dogs overall health and beauty when added to its diet. Take a look at some of the amazing benefits of olive oil for dogs. 

Olive oil aids in weight loss: even though olive oil is high in fat and calories the monounsaturated fats it contains enhance fat breakdown in the body and this in turn helps lose excess body fat. 

Reduces shedding: olive oil is great for your dogs fur as it contains omega-3 fatty acids phytonutrients and vitamin E which helps keep his skin and fur healthy. In addition to preventing chronic inflammation antioxidants improve your dogs overall health.

Enhances the immune system: Olive oil aids the bodys defense against invading pathogens. Polyphenols and carotenoids found in them are essential for boosting the immune system and warding off diseases.

Boosts energy level: olive oil contains a high amount of fat and calories making it a good energy source for active dogs. It is also known that olive oil improves blood circulation and breathing in dogs which is particularly beneficial for brachycephalic breeds.

6. Cooked vs raw olive oil. Which is better for my dog?

Fats and oils are damaged when exposed to heat but the damage caused by heat varies from oil to oil. Oils undergo some degree of oxidation and hydrogenation when heated repeatedly. 

Oils rich in polyunsaturated fats such as soybean oil and canola oil are highly susceptible to heat while oils rich in saturated fats like coconut oil are very resistant to heat. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats which make it resistant to oxidation and hydrogenation and also give it the ability to resist heat. 

Olive oil consists of 87% monounsaturated and saturated fats with only 11% polyunsaturated fats. Thus olive oil is extremely heat-resistant and does not suffer much damage when its heated or cooked. Cooking olive oil may not be exactly the same as uncooked olive oil but they are not much different and cooking olive oil retains its anti-inflammatory properties.

7. How can I stop my dog from getting olive oil?

The best way to control the amount of olive oil your dog consumes is to make sure he gets it only through his diet. When feeding your dog a commercial food brand check the ingredients to find out if it contains olive oil and how much it contains. 

The food your dog eats may contain enough nutrients to satisfy them so you may not need to add more. You can discuss your concerns with your vet if you’re unsure what decision to make. 

Additionally verify the ingredients in any treats supplements and medications your dog ingests to avoid a painful episode of gastrointestinal inflammation from ingesting too many oils at once. 

Make sure that you keep olive oil bottles and any other type of oil out of your dogs reach to prevent them from accessing them while you are away. 

8. Are there any safer alternatives to olive oil for my dog?

It is generally advised to give oils to dogs in moderation because giving them too much will certainly have negative effects including stomach upset in the short term and excessive weight gain in the long run. Some excellent dog oils include olive oil and coconut oil. 

Sunflower oil is high in omega-6 fatty acids which supply your dog with healthy fats improve heart health boost the immune system and increase the energy levels in dogs is well as being great for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Like olive oil coconut oil is healthy for dogs and contains a healthy form of saturated fat. Dogs can benefit from extra virgin coconut oil by maintaining a healthy weight improving dry skin and improving their energy levels. Additionally it helps prevent bad breath in dogs. 

The omega-3 fatty acid in flaxseed oil is excellent for heart health as it contains alpha-linolenic acid. Additionally it promotes normal kidney function regulates blood pressure and improves mobility in pets suffering from arthritis.

9. Olive oil overdose. At what point should I phone my vet?

Observing your pet suffering from serious discomfort after consuming olive oil in a meal or accidentally getting into a bottle of olive oil and helping themselves to a generous amount of olive oil may indicate a painful episode of gastritis or pancreatitis with diarrhea and vomiting. 

It might not be necessary to call a vet right away; first try eliminating all forms of food and letting your dog fast from food for 24 to 48 hours while giving them a small amount of water frequently to keep them hydrated. Symptoms should be reported if your dog cannot drink small amounts of water without vomiting or if they persist after 24 hours without food. 

10. How might a vet treat my dog?

You can stop your dogs vomiting by administering a gut-safe anti-vomiting injection. You can also give your dog a pet-safe antacid to help soothe their nausea and if the dog is dehydrated fluid therapy will help replenish the bodys fluid levels. Your dog will require a proton pump inhibitor to prevent the stomach acids from being secreted if the inflammation has developed into a severe stomach ulcer.

Conclusion

Although olive oil may be beneficial for dogs’ health when consumed in large quantities it can cause digestive distress diarrhea and vomiting especially in dogs with sensitive stomachs. 

When a dog has gastritis or pancreatitis it should be fasted from food for at least 24 hours monitored closely and taken to the vet if symptoms do not improve after 24 hours or water intake leads to vomiting. 

Dogs should consume extra-virgin olive oil moderately and with caution as consistent consumption may lead to weight gain.

If you want to read more about dog health tips read here: Dog Health Tips and Tricks.

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