We use olives in almost everything because of how sweet and savory they are.
And if you live with a cat, you do not mind letting him have a bite of this natural healthy fruit.
But can cats eat green olives?
Olives are not toxic to cats. This fruit contains nutrients that help improve heart health, restores the shine on skin and coat, and can also reduce the risk of cancer. Do not feed your cat store-bought olives because they contain preservatives that can harm your cat.
Whether it’s a martini or vegan salad, olives make our meals tasty and healthy.
Olives can be a healthy snack too and sometimes we invite our furry friends to indulge.
If you are that pet parent who loves to snack healthily with your feline, we are going to tell you whether cats and olives go together.
To begin with,
What are olives?
They are a type of fruit that grows from the olive tree.
It belongs to the group of fruits known as drupes.
Botanists have discovered that olives are directly related to cherries, pistachios, peaches, almonds.
Olives have been a part of the human diet for thousands of years, long before the canning industry, grocery stores, and martinis came into play.
Hannah Howard, seriouseats.com
While almonds are not safe for cats, olives are completely healthy. They pack loads of healthy nutrients that will improve your cat’s lifestyle.
💡 Did you know?
There are over 14 varieties of olives in the world?
They are namely;
- Kalamata
- Cerignola
- Castelvetrano
- Nyon
- Niçoise
- Liguria
- Gaeta
- Picholine
- Gordal
- Alfonso
- Mission
- Manzanilla
- Beldi
- Amfissa
Olives thrive better in subtropical climates found in countries like Spain, Italy, Greece, and Morocco.
The mission olive is the only olive variant that grows in the USA.
While it may be hard to remember all 14 varieties by name, we can easily classify them through color.
The main colors of olive fruit are green (when raw) and black (when ripe). Some olives will have a purple or vibrant red color.
Interestingly cats love both black and green olives.
If you have opened a jar of green olives near your cat, you can attest to how excited they got-purring, rolling, drolling and all.
Learn More:
Can cats eat green olives?
Green olives are safe for cats.
Whenever your feline friend gets excited over green olives, it is because of a special chemical the fruit is emitting.
Green olives have a chemical called isoprenoid. This chemical has the same effect as nepetalactone found in catnip.
❗ Important
Green olives are safe for a cat when the pit is removed. But pickled olives may not be as healthy
Now you know why one bite of green olive sends your cat into a drop-and-roll spree.
Green olives have loads of benefits we are going to cover later.
Can cats have black olives?
Black olives are non-toxic to cats as well. But they are a bit bitter and an acquired taste for your cat.
Compared to green olives, black olives pack more healthy oils and are less salty.
If your cat wants to nibble the black olives on your Hawaiian pizza, let him.
Only the olive is healthy, all other ingredients on the pizza, if you ordered out, may not be as healthy.
Benefits of olives to cats?
Cats are omnivorous and do not mind olives on their menu.
Though this fruit is not part of their natural diet, there are some healthy nutrients in olives that your cat will benefit from.
Olive fruit is rich in;
- Vitamin E
- Sodium
- Calcium
- Fiber
- Iron
- Copper
Vitamin E promotes healthy skin and coat on your cat.
Fiber is necessary for improving digestion and keeping the gut healthy.
Calcium is important in maintaining strong bones and a healthy skeletal structure.
❗ Important
Olives are not a necessity in your cat’s diet. But if your cat eats olives, it can still benefit from the fruit’s healthy ingredient
Minerals like copper combine with vitamin E to give your cat a shiny and healthy skin or coat.
Iron is necessary for the production of healthy red blood cells and preventing feline anemia.
Other health benefits of olives you should know about include;
- Promoting a healthy heart by reducing bad cholesterol
- Lowering blood pressure
- A natural antioxidant that reduces the risk of cancer
- Reducing the onset of osteoporosis
Can cats eat olives?
Cats don’t need to eat olives. But when they do, they need to eat them in moderation.
Too many olives can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats.
Health experts also warn against feeding your cat pickled olives.
Pickled olives contain too much sodium in their brine which can be toxic to cats.
Also, pickled brine contains spices that may cause more harm than good to your cat.
VIDEO: Can Cats Eat Olives
Final thoughts
Cats can eat olives if it is served plain and in small amounts.
Pickled olives, however, contain ingredients like salt and spices which are harmful to cats.
Always consult your vet about your cat’s health before you start feeding them olives.
See Also
Frequently Asked Questions
Pickled olives are not safe for cats to eat. The pickle brine contains a high amount of sodium that causes extreme thirst and dehydration in cats. Also, pickled brine may contain spices like chili which can cause an upset stomach in your cat.
Kalamata olives are a variant of the olive species that are safe for cats to eat. Other olive fruit variants that are safe for cats include Liguria, Alfonso, Godal, and Manzanilla.
Olive wood emits a chemical known as isoprenoid which has the catnip effects on a cat. But do not let your cat swallow chunks of olive wood as they can choke him.
Pure olive oil comes from fresh olives which makes it healthy for cats. Olive oil can help your feline burn fat, reduce weight, and find relief from constipation.
