Can Cats Eat Olives? You May Be Surprised!

cat eating olives

You catch yourself munching on a handful of olives, and you ask yourself, ‘can cats eat olives?’

Surprisingly, olives are good for cats. But, at the same time, olives can cause severe damage to them. Curious to know why that is?

This article informs you on cats eating olives, any underlying dangers to consuming them, and how to feed them safely. Read on and learn more.

Can Cats Eat Olives?

As we have already seen, olives are suitable for dogs with moderation. Similarly, cats can eat olives too. Olives are high in sodium, so you must always serve them in small amounts.

What about Olive Oil?

Ideally, you can avoid giving olive oil to your cat. While a few drops in their food don’t cause much harm, some cats may oppose it.

Although olive oil isn’t considered poisonous to cats, consuming too much of any fat, including olive oil, may cause your cat to experience diarrhea and vomiting. However, if you use olive oil for cooking, a tiny piece of food cooked in it shouldn’t be a cause for alarm if your cat eats some, as long as your cat doesn’t exhibit any adverse health effects afterwards.

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Dangers of Cats Eating Olives

Olives may be a good snack for your snack, but you must always beware of the dangers. First and foremost, olives contain pits that can induce choking in your cat. Therefore, it is extremely important to remove the pits before serving them. In addition, salted, marinated, or seasoned olives are potentially harmful due to the ingredients. One of the most dangerous ones is the salt. High amounts of salt can lead to sodium poisoning in cats, and should be avoided.

If you caught your cat digesting olives with salt, watch out for any of the symptoms of act right away.

Symptoms of sodium poisoning in cats:

  • vomiting
  • dehydration or thirst
  • loss of appetite
  • seizures and tremors

Sodium poisoning is extremely dangerous by causing chronic kidney disease or even death. If you have any questions about it, call your vet or talk to an online vet right away.

How to Safely Give Olives to your Cat

Cats can safely eat olives as long as those olives are unsalted and unseasoned or marinated in any herbs or spices. In addition to this, you must only serve a small amount (one olive per snack meal). Third, avoid choking hazards by removing the pit and cutting the olive in small pieces. This makes it much easier for your cat to eat and digest the snack.

Still looking for answers about your cat eating olives? Schedule an instant video consultation with our qualified veterinarians and get tailored advice from the comfort of your home – today.

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