How Much Olive Oil To Add To Dog Food

Olive oil is a staple in most household kitchens. You may use it to dip bread, sauteed chicken or drizzle over a salad or pasta dish. In add-on to being succulent, information technology has many wellness benefits including being touted as a heart-salubrious oil. Information technology is a staple of the "Mediterranian Diet" which is often regarded equally i of the world'southward healthiest diets. But did you lot know that calculation olive oil to your domestic dog's nutrition can be practiced for them too? We'll talk over some health benefits and how you tin add together olive oil to your dog'south nutrition.

Five reasons to add olive oil to your domestic dog'due south nutrition

Studies have shown that olive and other oils, including sunflower and safflower, can assist reduce inflammation in dogs and ease the itching associated with allergies, says Dr. Christopher Reeder, a lath-certified dermatologist at BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Tennessee.

Other benefits of giving olive oil to your dog might include:

Prevents cardiovascular affliction and diabetestrong
Considering it contains monounsaturated fats, olive oil prevents and lessens the effects of cardiovascular affliction and diabetes. If heart illness or diabetes is a concern for your dog, consult your vet about how to utilise olive oil to reduce their risk.
Helps manage your domestic dog's weight
The monounsaturated fat in olive oil can aid dogs who are overweight shed some unwanted pounds. The addition of olive oil may also help your dog experience total longer because of the (practiced) fat.
Good for skin and coat
Olive oil tin and wet to your canis familiaris'due south pare and glaze. These benefits are both from using topically and orally. Note that it is not recommended to use olive oil topically as it can stain or your dog might merely lick it off!
Boosts immune system
The high level of antioxidants — including polyphenols, vitamin Eastward, chlorophyll and carotenoids helps heave your dog'due south allowed system and make them less likely to be impacted past common illnesses.
Protects joints
Olive oil is good for helping continue joints healthy and moving pain-free! If you have a senior dog or one who is very able-bodied, olive oil might be a great choice to keep them in their activities or sports as long equally possible!

dog-waits-for-olive-oil-to-be-poured-on-his-food

How to choose the right type and corporeality of olive oil for your dog

If you decide to give your dog olive oil, nigh veterinarians recommend using extra virgin olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is made from the showtime pressing of the olive. It has a lower acid content which some people think results in a fresher taste. Notation that extra virgin olive oil can go rancid faster than other types of oil. Low-cal tin make this process happen faster which is why it is usually sold in dark-colored bottles. Additionally, make sure yous store extra virgin olive oil abroad from heat sources and in a absurd, nighttime place.

The recommended dose of olive oil for dogs is no more than than 1 teaspoon of olive oil per twenty pounds of body weight per repast. It can be mixed in with your pup's regular fresh or dried dog food.

While the easiest way to give your dog olive oil is past mixing it with your dog's food, you may want to endeavor something more heady. This recipe for "Frozen Meat Treats" may just be the thing you're looking for!

Frozen Meat Treats Recipe

from the American Kennel Club

Ingredients

• ii cups grilled chicken
Make sure chicken is skinless and boneless.
• ¾ plain low-fatty or fatty-complimentary yogurt
Note: Do not use yogurt with xylitol, and do not employ at all if your dog is lactose intolerant.
• 1 carrot
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions

Stir all the ingredients together
Freeze in water ice cube trays
For small dogs, yous can pour the mixture into a pipage bag and pipe footling droplets onto a parchment-lined baking sheet before freezing

This delicious mixture can also be stuffed into a bone or a Kong toy for hours of fun. Be warned that if your dog is a messy eater you may want to offering this care for in the kitchen or somewhere you lot don't accept to worry most stains (then perhaps not the white couch!).

Risks to consider before sharing olive oil with your dog

While olive oil allergies are extremely rare there are some things you'll want to consider before offering it to your pet. Like any new food or supplement, you lot will want to kickoff slowly when offering olive oil to your dog. It is a good idea to only innovate one new food or dietary supplement at a fourth dimension.

The risk factors for olive oil for your canis familiaris include:

Weight gain

Olive oil is loftier in fat and calories. Feeding too much without because this tin pb to weight proceeds. Brand certain that you're reducing calories elsewhere in your dog's diet to conform for the additional calories you're offer in the course of olive oil.

Vomiting

The fat in the oil can irritate your dog's tum and cause vomiting. Therefore, when introducing olive oil to your dog's diet yous should start slowly and work your way up to the optimal serving size for your dog.

Diarrhea

Similar airsickness, adding too much olive oil likewise quickly tin can cause diarrhea or loose stools. Once more, showtime slowly and work up to the optimal serving for your pet. If y'all practise see some loose stool, don't panic. Allow your dog's stomach to settle and you should be just fine to reintroduce olive oil slowly. Should y'all see diarrhea every time you lot offering olive oil - work with your vet to decide whether or not you should continue to offer it to your domestic dog.

If yous have questions most whether it is a good idea to give your dog olive oil or if y'all're not certain how to first; contact your veterinarian to discuss your specific state of affairs.

The Ollie blog is devoted to helping pet parents lead healthier lives with their pups. If you want to learn more nigh our fresh, man-course food, check out MyOllie.com.