Cats are known for their curious palates and sometimes peculiar cravings. If you’re a cat owner, you might have observed your feline friend showing interest in foods you’re eating, including seemingly healthy options like olives and olive oil. But is olive oil actually safe and beneficial for cats? While your kitty might be intrigued by the taste or aroma, it’s important to understand the facts about Olive Oil For Cats before offering it to them.
Why Cats Are Drawn to Olives: The Catnip Connection
It’s a common sight: a cat excitedly approaching when olives are around. Although there’s no definitive scientific explanation for this fascination, several theories attempt to unravel why cats seem to love olives. Some cats may simply enjoy the salty taste or the interaction with their owners during treat time. However, a more compelling theory connects the allure of olives to catnip.
Interestingly, green olives contain a chemical compound called oleuropein, which is structurally similar to nepetalactone, the active ingredient in catnip. As Wired points out, nepetalactone is known to trigger euphoric and playful behaviors in cats.
Nepetalactone works its magic by interacting with a cat’s vomeronasal organ. Mental Floss explains that this organ, located in the back of the throat, is like a specialized scent-detecting system. It’s primarily used to sense pheromones, chemical signals cats use for communication, especially related to mating. Nepetalactone mimics pheromones, stimulating these receptors and leading to the well-known catnip-induced behaviors like rolling, increased playfulness, and dilated pupils.
While not all cats react to catnip or olives in the same way – some may be completely indifferent – the presence of oleuropein offers a plausible explanation for why many cats are so attracted to olives. Some cats might experience a mild, catnip-like effect, while others may simply enjoy the taste without any behavioral changes.
Olive Safety for Cats: Moderation is Key
Generally, olives are not considered toxic to cats and are safe to offer in very small amounts. Think of olives as an occasional treat for your feline companion, not a regular part of their diet. If your cat has enjoyed olives in the past without any adverse reactions, offering a tiny piece – less than a whole olive, perhaps half or a quarter – a couple of times a week should be acceptable.
However, it’s crucial to remember that olives are essentially empty-calorie treats for cats. While humans benefit from the nutritional value of olives, they offer minimal nutritional benefits to felines. Furthermore, olives are notably high in sodium. Like any treat, olives should constitute no more than 10% of your cat’s daily caloric intake to maintain a balanced diet.
Olive Oil and Cats: A Question of Digestion
Now, let’s address the question of olive oil for cats directly. Is it safe for them to consume? The answer is yes, olive oil is not considered poisonous to cats. However, whether it’s a good idea to give your cat olive oil is another matter.
The primary concern with olive oil for cats is their digestive system. Cats are sensitive to high-fat intake, and consuming too much fat, including olive oil, can lead to gastrointestinal upset, manifesting as diarrhea and vomiting. If you cook with olive oil and your cat happens to eat a tiny morsel of food prepared with it, it’s usually not a cause for immediate alarm, provided your cat doesn’t show any signs of digestive distress afterward.
Potential Hazards and Precautions Regarding Olives and Olive Oil for Cats
Beyond potential stomach upset from olive oil, there are other safety considerations when it comes to feeding olives to cats. If your cat has shown any negative reactions after eating olives in the past, it’s best to avoid giving them olives altogether.
One significant concern with olives is sodium toxicity. As the University of California’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources explains, olives are typically “cured” through brining to remove their natural bitterness. This brining process often involves salt, resulting in high sodium content in olives. Regularly feeding salt-brined olives to your cat could expose them to unhealthy levels of sodium.
This is especially important if your cat has pre-existing health conditions. Cats with heart disease or kidney disease are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of high sodium intake. Therefore, olives are definitely not a suitable treat for cats with these conditions. It’s also worth noting that rinsing olives with water will not significantly reduce their sodium content.
Even for healthy cats, moderation is key. A small piece of an olive, like a quarter of a large one or half of a small one, a couple of times a week is generally considered acceptable. Always remember that treats should be limited to less than 10% of your cat’s daily calories.
Furthermore, be mindful of stuffed olives. Olives are often stuffed with ingredients that are palatable to humans but potentially harmful to cats, such as blue cheese, almonds, garlic, sausage, or pickled jalapenos. While the olive itself might be safe, these fillings could be toxic to your feline friend. It’s safest to only offer plain olives, and ensure they are pitted. Olive pits pose a choking hazard and can cause intestinal blockages if swallowed.
In conclusion, while a tiny amount of olive oil or a small piece of plain, pitted olive is unlikely to harm your cat, these should be considered occasional treats only. Due to the high sodium content in olives and the potential for digestive upset from olive oil, moderation is paramount. If you have any concerns about feeding olives or olive oil to your cat, or if your cat has any underlying health issues, it’s always best to consult with your veterinarian for personalized advice.
Contributor Bio
Dr. Sarah Wooten
A 2002 graduate of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Sarah Wooten is a well-known international speaker in the veterinary and animal health care spaces. She has 10 years of experience in public speaking and media work and writes for a large number of online and print animal health publications. Dr. Wooten is also a certified veterinary journalist, a member of the AVMA, and has 16 years of experience in small animal veterinary practice.
In addition to being a speaker, author, veterinarian, and co-creator of the wildly popular card game Vets Against Insanity, she co-owns Elevated Eateries Restaurant group in Greeley, Colorado, with her husband of 21 years. Together, they are also raising three slightly feral mini-humans. When it’s time to play, she can be found skiing in Colorado, diving with sharks in the Caribbean, or training kenpo karate in her local dojo. To learn more, visit drsarahwooten.com.
