The Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Dogs

Cooking a well-balanced meal for your family can take hours, multiple ingredients, and a variety of prep work. Yet, one family member simply gets some hard, pebble-like kibbles tossed in a bowl. Meal planning for this member is easy, same food different day. Dogs are part of the family, it’s time we treat them as such. Relying solely on kibble which can often be full of by-products and genetically modified fillers can leave a dog with deficiencies, allergies, and/or illness. Supplementing your dog’s diet with certain “people foods” can help keep him or her healthy. Make sure to do your research as some foods such as chocolate, almonds, avocados, and raisins can be poisonous to dogs. However, foods like pumpkin, carrots, peanut butter, and olive oil can not only be a tasty addition to the same old meal but can improve the health and well-being of your pooch. Here’s how adding a small amount of extra virgin olive oil can improve your dog’s health.

Weight Loss- Just like in humans, olive oil can help a dog lose some pesky pounds. The mono saturated fats encourage weight loss by reducing insulin sensitivity and breaking down fat cells from the inside.

Optimal Health- Around 50% of dogs over the age of 10 will pass away from cancer. The oleic acid in extra virgin olive oil can prevent cancer in dogs.

Coat Care- Olive oil can be found in many hair care products for humans. Dogs can benefit too! Olive oil can help keep your dog’s hair soft and shiny from the inside out. This can even help reduce shedding. The omega 3 fatty acids in olive oil can help moisturize your dog’s skin as well which can reduce or prevent flakiness and dandruff.

Brain Health- As seen in recent studies, olive oil’s antioxidants have been shown to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This can also be seen in dogs. It is especially important to supplement olive oil in the diet of more intelligent breeds such as poodles, border collies, and Australian shepherds.

If you plan to add olive oil to your dog’s diet, we recommend starting small at ¼ of a teaspoon for small dogs and a teaspoon for a larger dog. Consult your vet before making any changes to a dog’s diet. Always make sure to use extra-virgin olive oil only.

For locally grown, award winning olive oil, visit Texas Hill Country Olive Company. Pick up a bottle for Fido and grab some for the rest of the family as well. Visit our website to purchase online or learn more. For weekly specials and announcements, “like” us on Facebook!