For humans, olives seem to be one of those love-it-or-hate-it foods.
I love olives, whether it’s on sandwiches, in salads, on pizza, or just straight out of the jar. My husband, on the other hand, thinks they’re disgusting.
I heard someone speculate once that female like olives and males don’t, although I doubt there’s any truth to that.
Cats, however, seem to go crazy for olives. This strange phenomenon has eluded cat owners for a long time.
We know that olives (and olive oil) are healthy for humans, but is it okay to give a cat an olive to see what they do with it?
After reading this post, you’ll learn why cats love olives (and get to see a cute video of cats going crazy for them), plus learn if and when olives (and olive oil) are safe for cats to eat.
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Why Does My Cat Like Black Olives?
Many cat owners notice their feline companions behaving strangely in the presence of olives. When you open a tin of olives, cats seem to get very excited. If you give them a small piece of olive to eat, some cats will start to roll around and behave silly, as if you had given them catnip!
There is no scientific research on the effect that olives have on cats. But according to Hills Pet, there are some theories about why cats are drawn to olives:
- Olives contain a chemical called nepetalactone, which is also present in catnip. Catnip gives cats a feeling of euphoria, so it makes sense that maybe they also enjoy how they feel after they snack on — or even just smell — olives.
- Cats are known for enjoying the taste of salty treats. They may just enjoy the taste of olives simply because they are brined.
- Olives are … well, not exactly round, but roundish. Cats may enjoy the feeling of batting them around with their paws.
- Many cats are very food-orientated, and they may just enjoy it when you offer them a treat.
Do Olives Make Cats High?
Why do cats get so excited when they smell an open jar of olives? Are olives a recreational drug for cats, similar to catnip?
As I mentioned earlier, we know that olives contain an organic compound called nepetalactone (the same chemical found in catnip).
Cats have a structure at the back of their throats called the vomeronasal organ. This is what gives cats their super-sensitive sense of smell. Cats use this organ to smell pheromones, or sex hormones, in the air. They evolved the vomeronasal organ as a way of communicating with cats of the opposite sex that they are ready to breed.
However, pheromones are not the only thing this sensitive organ can detect.
According to Animal Planet, catnip (scientifically known as Nepeta) stimulates the receptors of the vomeronasal organ.
This causes cats to behave erratically – swishing their tail, with the pupils of their eyes dilated, playfully rolling around on their backs, purring wildly.
Because olives also contain nepetalactone, they have a similar mind-altering effect on cats. So yeah, I guess you could say that catnip and olives both make cats a little high.
Video — Cats Going Crazy Over Olives
So is that bad? Should cats (or their owners) “just say no” to catnip and olives?
According to the ASPCA, there’s no evidence that the “high” some cats get from catnip (and thus, olives) is harmful for cats at any age. (However, it does lose its effect with too much use.)
Interestingly, research has shown that cats also do not respond to nepetalactone when they are scared, pregnant females don’t respond to nepetalactone, and some cats are immune to the effects of catnip for no apparent reason. (According to the Humane Society, this immunity is hereditary and affects about 50% of cats.)
Among the cats that do respond to nepetalactone, the chemical does not affect them all in the same way. (Just like recreational drugs like marijuana doesn’t affect all people exactly the same). Some cats get very calm and loving towards their owners, while others get super playful and energetic. Others may get agitated.
Are Olives Safe For Cats?
Simply put, olives are completely safe for cats. (There are a few situations, though, where it’s smart to avoid them. We’ll talk about those in a moment.)
They are not particularly nutritious for cats, but they also do not contain anything that is bad for them. Plain olives, instead of marinated ones, are probably better for them because they’re more pure.
So if your cat is generally healthy and shows an interest in olives, don’t hesitate to slice one up and give it to your kitty as a treat.
Black Olives Vs Green Olives For Cats
Me personally? I prefer black olives over green, but as a boy I knew in college said, “I am a friend to all olives.”
As far as cats are concerned, both black olives and green olives are non-toxic and totally safe for cats to ingest.
However, if you are considering which type to give to your cat as a treat, you should think about how these olives are processed.
Green olives are usually sold without pits, whereas black olives are often sold with their pits in. (Check the label, though — there are pitted black olives, and frankly, I don’t like having to eat around the pits myself.)
Obviously, the hard, sharp pits can be a choking hazard for kitties. Always take the pit out before feeding your cat a black olive — or just stick to giving them green olives.
Also, black olives are cured differently compared to green olives. Because green olives are not yet ripe when they are picked, they are stored in a strong brine to prevent them from tasting bitter.
Black olives are already ripe when they are picked, and they contain more oils. While they are brined, they contain less salt than green olives do, so they may be a healthier treat for cats.
Can Cats Eat Olives With Pimentos?
Pimentos are a type of mild red pepper, and they are often used as a stuffing for green olives. Is it safe to give your cat a pimento olive?
Pimento peppers are non-toxic for cats, so it’s fine to share a pimento-stuffed olive with your kitty.
However, you should avoid giving your cat an olive stuffed with anything else, like garlic, almonds, sausage, pickled jalapenos, or blue cheese. (In fact, I would recommended avoid giving anyone anything stuffed with pickled jalapenos — but hey, that’s just me.)
Ingredients like onion and garlic are toxic to cats, so pimento olives that are marinated are not safe for cats.
If you’re like me and that’s too much to keep straight, and you don’t to have to worry about risking your cat’s health, you could just leave out pimento olives altogether.
Are Olives Bad For Cats?
Generally, olives are neither particularly good nor dangerous for cats. However, eating excessive amounts of olives is definitely bad for them. (And, I’m guessing, not great for humans, either.)
Olives are high in sodium because of the way they are processed. To cut their bitterness, they are cured, or brined, in a salty liquid. Cats are sensitive to high levels of salt in their diet and can develop sodium poisoning.
Sodium poisoning is very serious for cats because it can lead to heart disease or even kidney failure. Cats can die from kidney failure, so one always has to be careful how much sodium they get in their diet.
The common symptoms of sodium poisoning are:
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Tremors
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation
• Excessive urination
• Dehydration
• In severe cases, seizures
Besides the risk of sodium toxicity, there are a few other cases in which olives can cause health issues for cats:
- Feeding young cats olives may not be such a good idea. Kittens’ digestive systems are far more sensitive than mature cats. The fiber in the olives can have a laxative effect, causing kittens to experience diarrhea. When kittens have diarrhea, they can easily become dehydrated – something you may need to rush them to the emergency room for.So to play it safe, save your olives for a special treat on your kitty’s first birthday.
- Cats that suffer from diabetes should never be fed olives. This is because olives can trigger insulin sensitivity in cats.
- Avoid giving olives to your cat if they have a history of heart disease or kidney issues.
How Often Can Cats Eat Olives?
Practice moderation when giving your cat olives as a treat. Cats can only consume olives in small quantities.
Consider giving your cat half of a small olive, or a quarter of a larger one, once or twice a week. In these small quantities, olives do not pose any danger to a cat’s health.
It’s wise to limit the number of snacks you give to your cat in general. Treats should only ever make up less than 10% of a cat’s daily calorie intake. If you give a cat too many snacks, they may not want to eat their regular food, which has been specially formulated to keep them nourished and healthy.
What Are The Benefits Of Giving Cats Olives?
We know that olives are nutritionally beneficial for humans. They contain vitamins A, C, and E, as well as antioxidants.
However, according to Noots Pets, olives don’t offer any benefits for cats — apart from their potential mood-altering effects, if you consider that a benefit.
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning that they are adapted to eating a diet only of meat. Cats’ bodies can get all the vitamins and minerals they require from high-quality protein. Therefore, from a nutritional standpoint, olives have no benefits for cats.
However, not everyone agrees with that opinion.
Olives contain both:
- Antioxidants
- Anti-inflammatory properties
Antioxidants destroy cancer-causing free radicals in our bodies, so it’s possible that eating olives can prevent damage to our cells.
Anti-inflammatory foods are beneficial for reducing pain and reducing the symptoms of arthritis.
So if your cat suffers from arthritis, it’s worth talking to your veterinarian about what benefits olives may have for your cat. (Although my guess — and this is totally a guess — is that you cat would probably benefit more from well-chosen anti-inflammatory medication than eating eating half an olive twice a week.)
Can I Feed My Cat Olive Oil?
Olive oil is non-toxic to cats and is safe to use as a dietary supplement. It’s also safe to give your cat a small piece of food that has been cooked in olive oil.
Olive oil doesn’t have any behavioral effects on cats, like olives do.
Olive oil is known to relieve symptoms of gastrointestinal problems in cats. It can help with constipation and the passing of hairballs. It’s also thought to support their immune system, and some vets theorize that olive oil can reduce cats’ risk of cardiovascular disease.
Vets recommend giving a cat up to a tablespoon of olive oil mixed in with their food. Olive oil is safe to give to kittens because it contains lower levels of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which young cats struggle to digest.
It is best to give your cat 100% pure extra virgin olive oil. Not only is it less acidic than other oils, but it has not been chemically treated, so you can be certain that it is safe for your cat.
But be careful — giving your cat olive oil on a regular basis is bad for them. Eating too much olive oil (or any oil or fat) with their food causes vomiting and diarrhea.
Is Olive Oil Safe For Cats’ Skin?
Olive oil can be applied directly to a cat’s skin. Cats develop dry, itchy patches of skin for a number of reasons and can hurt themselves if they keep scratching the same area of skin. Applying an oil like olive oil or coconut oil is hugely beneficial as it soothes the skin by hydrating it.
When using olive oil as an ointment for your cat, apply a small amount to the skin using a cotton ball and massage it into the skin gently. This will help to prevent them from scratching the area of the skin.
OliveOil.com says that olive oil is great for clearing up your cat’s matted clumps of fur.
Just this kind of syringe like this to apply olive oil to the base of the mat, as close to the skin as possible. Then just gently rub it in.
A few days later, the mat will just falls off.
If it’s stubborn and hasn’t fallen off after three day, re-apply more olive oil. Cover your furniture with towels if you’re worried about staining.
Also, Oliver and Grapely calls olive oil “the secret weapon to filthy cat ears.”
Just follow these steps for clean kitty ears:
- Warm olive oil to room temperature
- Place your cat on a flat surface and put a few drops of oil in his ears
- Rub the oil around with your hands, then let sit
- Wipe the oil off with cotton balls
Cats & Olives – A Summary
- Both black and green olives and olive oil are non-toxic and safe for cats.
- Be sure to use pitted olives so there is no potential chocking hazard
- Olives have little, if any, health benefits for cats
- Avoid giving olives to kittens or cats with diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease
- At the most, give your cat half an olive twice a week to avoid sodium toxicity
- To be safe avoid olives with pimentos