Can Cats Have Olive Oil? Is it safe? Is it Toxic?

Hey Pet Parents & Pet Lovers,

A lot of pet parents make the conscious decision to make sure that their cats don’t eat any human food, but if you’re a pet parent who wants to treat their cat with a bit of cooked chicken what should you cook it in? Are certain oils toxic to cats? Should you use water instead? Does cooking chicken in water even work or should you simply make a broth or stew out of the chicken?

I’m sure you’ve all heard about the craze behind olive oil and how it’s now considered a “super food” that helps with the overall functionality of the body and provides great nutrients, but just because it’s great for humans it doesn’t mean it’s safe for cats. So let’s break down some of the facts!

Short Answer

You can absolutely feed your cat olive oil, you’re just going to want to make sure that it is only fed in moderation. Olive oil is considered non-toxic to cats and can actually be a great supplement in their diet.

Benefits of Feeding Your Cats Olive Oil

1. It can be a very powerful antioxidant
   • Olive oil contains, vitamin E, chlorophyll, and polyphenols (which are bio-synthesized plant compounds). These three components help boost and improve the function of the immune system, making sure that your cat can fight off any germs they come into contact with.
2. The fats it contains are monounsaturated
   • Often-times we’re warned that certain oils are actually terrible for us because they can cause cardiovascular diseases or diabetes, however olive oil allows fat to burn more efficiently and will help raise your cat’s metabolism.
3. The fats inside of the oil are great for growth and ageing
4. It can be used as a weight loss agent
   • Due to the fact that olive oil raises the metabolism and the fact that it only has monounsaturated fat, olive oil can actually help break down fats that are stored in single cells. Olive oil can help aid cats who have obesity problems or cats that are at risk of strokes (due to being overweight.)
5. Olive Oil is great for supporting muscle functionality
6. It can cure constipation
   • If you’ve ever had a constipated cat you know how expensive medications can be. We learned this the hard way when Beau had his “PU Surgery” and while I do not recommend giving your cat olive oil if your vet has prescribed something else, I do recommend feeding your cat olive oil if they are beginning to show signs of constipation.
   • Olive Oil helps to stimulate bowel movements, however, it will make stools softer or even liquid, so don’t overfeed your cat this oil.
7. It’s great for skin & fur!
   • Olive oil has excellent moisturizing properties that will help improve the shine and softness of your cat’s coat.
8. It helps aid the passing of hairballs
9. It’s actually a natural cure for ear mites
   • Always check with your vet to make sure that this is the treatment they recommend, but olive oil has actually been used as a cure for clearing out ear mites as well as infections within the ear canal. This can be achieved by dropping a few drops into your cat’s ear. Again, please check with a vet before you give this treatment, especially if you’re not sure how to put drops into your cat’s ear.

Is there a particular olive oil that’s better for my cats?

Yes, there actually is! You’re going to want to buy extra-virgin olive oil if it’s in the budget/if it’s possible. This is due to the fact that there is less acidity in extra-virgin olive oil and doesn’t have chemical treatment. Extra-virgin olive oil is also a much higher quality that will ensure your cat doesn’t get sick.

Is there an amount of olive oil you should feed your cat?

As mentioned, I would make sure not to overuse olive oil, and currently, there isn’t a set “recommendation” for how much you should feed them. Some experts recommend giving your cat a tablespoon a day if your cat is struggling with constipation and a teaspoon a day for conditioning. However as is with everything, you should always start off small and then increase. I personally would only feel comfortable feeding my cat a teaspoon every three days for conditioning.

How can you feed your cat olive oil?

You can mix the oil into their wet or dry food. I would not syringe feed olive oil or try to feed it to your cat without mixing it into anything.

What happens if you overfeed Olive Oil?

Olive Oil is great and has so many benefits, but when it is overfed to your cat it can actually do the exact opposite of what you’re trying to achieve. Some signifiers that you are overfeeding your cat olive oil are:

• Your cat may have diarrhea
• Your cat may develop very dry skin
• Your cat may become overweight

So if Olive Oil is so great, why aren’t all vets recommending it?

Well, it’s not a matter of vets not recommending it as much as it’s the fact that a lot of foods already contain olive oil inside of them. Make sure you’re checking the ingredient list of your cat food to make sure you’re not going to overdose your cat with olive oil. At the end of the day, as always, I recommend talking to your vet about whether or not olive oil is suitable for your cat. Not every cat will need an olive oil supplement in their diet, but if your cat suffers things such as constipation or a dry/rough coat it may be a good idea to talk to your vet about this natural supplement.

Conclusion

Olive Oil is actually a great supplement that I would recommend including in your cat’s diet if they suffer from any of the ailments mentioned above. Please always make sure to be safe with the dosage you give them as it can get them sick, but once “okay-d” by the vet, you’re good to go! I personally don’t feel comfortable using it for conditioning (daily feedings), and would only use it when my cat is constipated, are having difficulty passing hairballs, or their skin & fur is getting too dry or brittle (for example in the winter.)

 

So pet parents & pet lovers, have you included olive oil in your cat’s diet? Did it help with any of these symptoms? Have you had good or bad experiences? Let us know in the comments below!