Olive oil is good for your heart, and you are a health-conscious person. Olive oil, with its high levels of antioxidants and essential fat acids, is great for your pet companion. Olive oil has many health benefits for dogs of all ages.
Here are 16 benefits of olive oils for dogs
Healthy coatImproved skinReduced sheddingImmunity boostCardiovascular healthCognitive healthAnti-inflammationJoint healthGut healthEar healthRespiratory healthDiabetes prevention and managementWeight reductionEnergy boostIncreased lifespanImproved taste of food
Olive oil can be used as a natural, effective and inexpensive alternative to many dog grooming products. Regular consumption of olive oil can help prevent or reduce the symptoms of many canine diseases. It also helps to keep your pet safe from some medications that could be harmful. Continue reading to learn how olive oil benefits dogs, and what you need to remember when giving this oil your pet.
1. Healthy Coat
Many dog skincare products made by reputed brands include omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. There are many omega-3 and Omega-6 supplements available for dogs. There is a reason.
Saturated fats omega-3 and 6 are essential for your dog’s healthy cellular function and normal bodily functions. Deficiency in these nutrients can lead to poor health, dull skin, and a lackluster coat.
Omega-3 fatty acids are not produced by dogs; they must be obtained from their diet.
The health and well-being of your dog’s skin, coat, and hair is dependent on Omega-6 fatty acid.
Olive oil is rich in omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, as well as antioxidants. Studies show that olive oil can be used to improve the shine and luster in dogs’ coats.
Oil works at the cellular level on your dog. Olive oil is the best choice for your pet.
Allow your pet to consume no more than 1 teaspoon of olive oil for every 20 pounds of their body weight each day. Olive oil is high in fats and calories. You should not give your pet more calories than they need for their age, breed, or activity level.
Mix the oil with dry or wet food.
Olive oil should only be added to your dog’s food in moderation. If your pet experiences vomiting, diarrhea, or other symptoms related to the stomach, you should stop giving olive oil.
Be patient. You will notice a significant improvement in your dog’s coat health after about 30 days.
2. Better skin
Olive oil is rich in fatty acids and also contains phytonutrients, vitamin E and vitamin B to keep your dog’s skin nourished.
Olive oil helps prevent dry, flaky skin from fleas, allergies, and other health conditions. Olive oil is an affordable and natural option to expensive, over-the-counter shampoos or conditioners that pet owners use to combat dry skin in their dogs.
Olive oil can reduce inflammation and soothe itching caused by skin allergies and infections. The faster your dog heals from skin infections and skin irritations, the less you can let it lick and scratch.
3. Reduced Shedding
Shedding is natural in dogs. Excessive shedding can be frustrating for dog parents who have to remove furballs from upholstery and furniture.
A sign that there is an underlying condition is excessive shedding. It is most likely a problem with your skin’s health.
Healthy skin helps keep infections at bay. Excessive shedding can be caused by skin infections that weaken the hair follicles. Dogs can also itch and scratch at the area of infection, which can lead to more shedding.
Shampoos, conditioners, or sprays don’t address the underlying skin condition. Olive oil moisturizes your dog’s skin and reduces flakiness. It also strengthens hair follicles. It is good for the skin’s health and provides nourishment.
4. Immunity Boost
Olive oil’s fatty acids, polyphenols and chlorophyll are good for your dog’s immune system. They protect the cells against damage from free radicals. Free radicals can cause oxidative damage to cells in the body, which can lead to illness.
Your dog’s immune system is also strengthened by olive oil, which helps to fight viruses.
5. Cardiovascular Health
Olive oil is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid, which are both heart-healthy polyunsaturated oils. Olive oil also contains vitamin E and phytonutrients that keep your heart healthy.
Olive oil can raise plasma levels of high density lipoproteins (the “good cholesterol”) that protect dogs against oxidative stress from free radicals.
Olive oil can also lower the levels of low density lipoproteins, or “bad cholesterol”, which are known to cause plaque buildup.
It is difficult to get these cardiovascular benefits for dogs without giving them expensive dietary supplements. Olive oil is an affordable way to improve the health of your dog’s heart.
6. Cognitive Health
Scientists from Sapienza University, Rome and Temple University in Philadelphia have found a link between high-quality olive oils and better cognitive health in dogs. Dogs are less likely to develop dementia if they consume Oleocanthal (a polyphenol found in olive oil).
Numerous studies have shown that olive oil has brain-boosting properties. Olive oil can be beneficial for senior dogs and intelligent dog breeds such as Border Collies, Mutts and Poodles.
7. Anti-Inflammation
Inflammation can occur in dogs due to injuries, infections, prescription drugs, diet changes, toxins, lack of sunlight or exercise, as well as from injury, infection, prescription medications, food processing, and exposure to toxins. Inflammation is an natural response of the immune system to protect and fight off disease.
Chronic inflammation, however, that lasts weeks, months or years, is an abnormal condition. It can cause DNA damage, tissue death and cancer.
Chronic inflammation in dogs can lead to diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, kidney failure, arthritis and heart disease.
If consumed regularly, olive oil can alter the fatty acid profile of dogs and increase the levels of dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid (DGLA) in their bodies. DGLA, a type of omega-6 fatty acids that dogs can’t produce, is what olive oil does.
DGLA is a powerful anti-inflammatory fat.
By keeping inflammation low, olive oil can help your dog live a happy and healthy life.
8. Joint Health
You may need to give pain medication to your dog in order to ease their pain and improve their mobility. Senior dogs suffering from arthritis, hip dysplasia, or osteoarthritis may need pain medication.
Dogs can be sensitive to pain medication. Sometimes, pain medications can cause inflammatory reactions. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen that are commonly used to manage pain can cause kidney damage.
Olive oil is rich in active compounds such as oleocanthal and oleuropein that help to reduce inflammation and pain in the arthritic joint. Olive oil is a natural alternative to ibuprofen, but it does not have the same harmful effects.
Olive oil also lubricates joints and preserves dogs’ natural range of motion. It can also reduce stiffness.
Olive oil is a natural pain relief option that has no side effects.
9. Gut Health
Dogs with poor gut health can develop diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and depression. Digestive issues can hinder the absorption and weaken the immune system.
Many dogs have poor gut health today because of synthetic pet foods, antibiotics and other medications.
Olive oil promotes good gut health. Olive oil can be used as a laxative in dogs and prevents them from becoming constipated.
It may take several days for olive oil’s effects to kick in. You should take your dog to the vet if they have severe constipation.
Dogs can also benefit from olive oil’s ability to aid in digestion.
Gallbladder stasis refers to a condition in which the gallbladder is unable to move bile acids into the gastrointestinal tract. Bile acids help digestion. Prescription medicine can be supplemented with olive oil, which helps the gallbladder move bile acids.
Scientists and vets recommend that you give your dog extra virgin oil.
Extra virgin olive oil is the best quality olive oil on the market. It is not refined and extracted by cold pressing, which means that the fruit are pressed and squeezed to extract the oil.
Cold pressing and other mechanical methods of extracting oil from fruits or seeds preserves the nutrients, vitamins, phenols as well as antioxidants and fatty acid. Many nutrients in fruit and seeds are lost when oil is heated or processed chemically.
Extra virgin olive oil, which is less acidic than other oils, will not cause irritation to your dog’s stomach.
The following extra-virgin olive oil products are recommended by me on Amazon.com:
Pompeian Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil
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Extra virgin olive oil from Pompeian is mild and delicate in flavor. It will work well with regular dry or wet dog kibble. This oil is perfect for dogs who are fussy and might refuse to eat anything that has an unfamiliar or overpowering taste.
Pompeian Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains no gluten and is gentle on pets’ digestive systems. It is also not allergenic.
Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil
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Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil comes from cold pressing the best-quality olives. It retains all of the essential fats, antioxidants, and vitamins found in the fruit.
It is a subtle oily scent with a pleasant, fresh aroma that dogs will love to eat. It is free from trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, sugar, and gluten making it one the most healthy products in its class.
La Tourangelle Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
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La Tourangelle Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil can be extracted by cold pressing olives after the fruit have been picked early in the season. This preserves the freshness of the oil and its goodness. The antioxidants are highest in early-season fruits. This oil is non-gluten and easy for dogs to digest.
10. Ear Health
Ear infections are more common in dogs with floppy ears. Long ears trap dirt, dust and moisture and create the perfect environment for bacteria to breed.
Olive oil can be used instead of expensive ear cleaners if the infection is mild. Olive oil is as effective, but costs a fraction of what a medicated product.
Here are some ways to use olive oil on the ears of your dog to treat mild infections.
Heat water in a saucepan. Add olive oil to a small bowl. Let it sit for a while before adding it to the water.
Mild ear infections can be treated by your dog.
If your dog’s ears feel red, swollen, hot or irritated, you should take them to the vet immediately. If not treated promptly, these are signs of serious infection that can cause hearing and balance problems in your dog.
11. Respiratory Health
Olive oil is good for your dog’s cardiovascular, digestive, joint, and cognitive health. It can also improve blood circulation and help prevent asthma attacks from getting worsened.
BullDogs or Shih Tzus are more prone to breathlessness than other breeds. Regular consumption of olive oil can be very beneficial for these dogs.
12. Diabetes Prevention and Management
One in 300 dogs will develop diabetes over their lifetime. Obese pets and females are more susceptible to this disease than middle-aged or senior dogs. Certain breeds, such as the Australian Terrier, Alaskan Malamute, Poodle Pug, Pug and Spitz, are predisposed to diabetes.
Diabetes in dogs that is not diagnosed or treated promptly can lead to severe complications, and even death.
Diabetes can lead to long-term complications such as seizures, neurological problems, liver disease, and cataracts. These complications can make dogs very sick and may require intensive nursing care at a 24-hour specialty hospital.
Olive oil is thought to reduce the risk of developing diabetes in dogs by reducing inflammation and preventing obesity.
13. Weight Loss
Over 55% of American pets are obese.
Obesity is a common cause of heart disease, kidney and liver disease, diabetes, and kidney diseases. Obesity is also a leading cause of death for dogs.
Obesity puts extra strain on dogs’ joints and makes it difficult to exercise or move. Obese dogs are more likely to be lazy and not to exercise or play. They gain weight from lack of movement and exercise, which leads to a vicious cycle.
Olive oil’s polyunsaturated fats help dogs lose fat and manage their weight.
14. Energy Boost
There are many reasons dogs may lack energy.
Dogs can become weaker and lethargy from obesity. If your dog is overweight, they may be more tired and less playful.
Olive oil can help your dog lose weight. After losing the extra weight, your dog will feel more energetic.
Joint pain can make it difficult for your dog to be active. This can lead to weight gain.
Sluggish digestion can hinder the absorption and lead to fatigue and lethargy.
Other causes of weakness include diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory problems.
Olive oil can help improve the symptoms and increase energy levels in your dog.
15. Increased life expectancy
Chronic inflammation is one of the best ways olive oil can extend the life expectancy of dogs.
Chronic inflammation is a leading cause of many illnesses, including diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, respiratory diseases and heart problems.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, (AVMA), these diseases can reduce the quality and length of life for dogs and even shorten their lives. Cancer kills over 50 percent of dogs older than 10.
Olive oil is rich in oleic acid and squalene. Terpenoids are thought to prevent cancer in dogs.
The AVMA has also found that dogs’ deaths are most often associated with their gastrointestinal system. Dogs can benefit from olive oil by improving their gut health.
Many of these diseases are more likely to be caused by obesity. Dogs can avoid many of these diseases by consuming olive oil in moderation. This is done by helping to keep their weight under control or shedding extra pounds.
16. Improved Taste of Food
Some dogs can be fussy eaters. Sometimes it can be difficult to get your dog to try a new brand.
Insufficient food can cause a dog to lose their ability to fight infection and reduce their vitality.
Olive oil can be tempting to your dog to eat. Mixing olive oil with dry food can alter the consistency and taste. To spice up the pet’s food, you can add some cinnamon and a pinch turmeric.
