It can be very demanding being a cat owner. Cats are very finicky pets. You have to be careful around them. Most of all, you need to be careful about what you feed them.
The best-case scenario is that you feed them something they love. The worst-case scenario ends in a vet’s office. But we want to avoid scenario number two.
And the best way to do that is to check whatever they’re eating. You can check with your local cat expert, vet, and the internet.
This is why you’re here. You want to know about olives- whether they’re safe for your pet to eat, the effects, and the quantity they can ingest.
Can Cats Eat Olives?
Olives are rich in vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, and fiber. They also contain antioxidants such as phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and polyphenols.
While some people say that cats cannot digest olives, other experts disagree. The truth is that it depends on the cat’s age, health, and metabolism. It’s the same with people. Some people can eat olives, and others can’t.
If you want to feed your cat olives, then you should start slowly and gradually increase the amount over time. This will help prevent any adverse reactions. If you’re not sure if your cat can handle olives or not, then you should consult a veterinarian first.
Interestingly, if you’ve ever seen a cat eat an olive, you’ll notice they have a euphoric reaction to the olive. This is because the olive contains high levels of oleuropein, which is similar to epinephrine.
Epinephrine is a hormone that stimulates the release of endorphins. Endorphins are natural painkillers. So when a cat eats an olive, they feel like their body has been given a shot of adrenaline.
This makes sense since olives are rich in vitamin C, which helps produce endorphins. However, this is just one theory. There are many theories out there as to why cats enjoy eating olives so much.
Some believe that cats enjoy eating olives because they taste good. Others think that they enjoy them because they associate them with their prey. Still, others believe that they enjoy them because of the nutritional benefits.
Whatever the reason, olives are a great addition to your cat’s diet. Just remember to start slow and gradually increase the amount.
How Much Can Cats Eat?
You may wonder how much olives your cat can consume. Well, it really depends on the size of the olives. Smaller olives are easier to swallow than larger ones.
However, most cats don’t seem to mind small amounts of olives. In fact, they often prefer them to meat. A study by the University of California at Davis found that cats preferred olives over beef jerky and chicken.
A few studies suggest that cats tend to prefer smaller olives. One study found that cats preferred small green olives over large black olives. Another study found that cats preferred white olives over red.
The average weight of a medium-sized olive is around 1/4 ounce. That means that a cat could easily eat up to 2 ounces per day.
What’s more, cats usually only need to drink water once every 24 hours. So, if you give them enough food, they won’t be thirsty.
So, what’s the bottom line? Cats can safely eat olives. As long as you start slowly and gradually increase their intake, they shouldn’t have any problems.
But, before you go giving away all your olives, make sure you talk to your vet first. You never know what kind of allergies your cat might have.
Cats and Olive Oil: What Does Research Say?
Olive oil is a little different from just plain olives. For one thing, it’s a lot more concentrated. That’s why sometimes, cats (and people too) might have a worse reaction to olive oil than they do to olives.
While some people say that cats can’t tolerate olive oil, other experts disagree. According to Dr. Karen Becker, “Olive oil is safe for cats.” She says that olive oil is less likely to cause allergic reactions in cats compared to other oils such as corn oil.
In addition, she says that olive oil doesn’t contain the compounds that trigger allergy symptoms in humans. Instead, it contains antioxidants and polyphenols.
These substances protect against cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that can harm cells. They also play a role in aging.
Dr. Becker explains that these antioxidants and polyphenols are beneficial for cats. They help prevent cancer and heart disease.
She adds that while olive oil isn’t recommended for dogs, it is fine for cats.
So the bottom line is that your cat can eat olives and olive oil.
If you want to try giving your cat olives, do so slowly. Start off with a few olives each week and then gradually increase the amount. Don’t worry about giving your cat too many olives or too much olive oil.
Just make sure you keep track of how he reacts. If he seems uncomfortable, stop feeding him olives immediately.
If you decide to feed your cat olives, make sure that you get his medical history from your vet first. Make sure that you discuss any concerns that you have with your vet, and always follow their advice.
Final Thoughts
Not only are olives tasty for cats, but they can also get them a little bit high too.
According to Dr. Becker, “Olives contain phenolic compounds which may contribute to the sedative effects seen in cats after eating them.”
That said, there aren’t any known negative side-effects associated with giving your cat olives.
However, if you’re concerned about your cat getting too fat, stick to the lower-calorie options. Maybe don’t give them the olives laced in fancy dressing. You never know what could be inside it.
That being said, your cat would probably be happily surprised and grateful if you gave them a plate full of olives. Cats may not be the most affectionate, but who knows, maybe you’ll get the slow blink of approval.
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
