Can dogs eat olives? Yes, a plain, pitted olive now and then is safe for most dogs. Olives aren't toxic, and they even carry healthy fats. The problems are the pit, which can crack teeth or cause a blockage, and the salt from brine. Stuffed and seasoned olives add more risks, so keep them off the treat list.
Yes, plain and pitted, in tiny amounts. One or two plain olives, with the pit removed, are fine for a healthy dog as a rare treat. Rinse off brine if you can. Skip olives with pits, garlic, blue cheese or spicy marinades, and dogs on low-salt diets should avoid them.
Table of Contents
Olive Nutrition: Small Fruit, Lots of Salt
Olives are fruits, and their fat is mostly monounsaturated, the same kind found in olive oil. The catch is how they're cured. Here's what a typical olive brings, using USDA FoodData Central values:
| Olive type | Calories (each) | Sodium (each) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ripe black, canned (~4 g) | ~5 kcal | ~30 mg | OK, 1 to 2, pitted |
| Green, brined (~3 g) | ~4 kcal | ~45 to 50 mg | Rarely, rinsed |
| Kalamata (~4 g) | ~5 to 6 kcal | ~50 to 60 mg | Rarely, rinsed |
| Stuffed (garlic, cheese, anchovy) | Varies | Higher | Avoid |
| Marinated or seasoned | Varies | Higher | Avoid |
Approximate values; brands and sizes vary widely. Rinsing in water removes some surface salt.
Calories are tiny, but salt adds up fast. Ten green olives can carry close to 500 mg of sodium, a lot for a small dog.
Why Pits Are the Biggest Risk
Always remove the pit. Olive pits are hard and slippery. A dog can crack a tooth biting down, choke on one, or swallow it and end up with an intestinal blockage, especially small dogs. If your dog swallowed several pits and is vomiting, straining, or not eating, call your vet.
Olive pits don't carry the cyanide risk of cherry or peach pits, but their size and hardness are enough of a problem. Buying pitted olives is the easiest fix.
Olives to Keep Away From Dogs
- Garlic-stuffed olives: garlic damages red blood cells, according to the ASPCA. See our garlic guide.
- Blue cheese-stuffed olives: some blue cheeses can contain molds that upset dogs, and they add fat and salt.
- Anchovy-stuffed olives: extra salt.
- Olives in spicy or herb marinades: chili, onion and garlic are common.
- Martini olives and party platters: often soaked in alcohol or served with cheese and cured meats.
- Olive tapenade: concentrated salt, garlic and oil.
Pimento-stuffed olives are less risky, since pimentos are mild sweet peppers, but they're still salty.
How Many Olives Can a Dog Eat?
| Dog's weight | Plain pitted olives | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Under 15 lb | ½ to 1 olive | Once in a while |
| 15 to 40 lb | 1 to 2 olives | Once in a while |
| 40 to 70 lb | 2 to 3 olives | Once in a while |
| Over 70 lb | Up to 4 olives | Once in a while |
Our conservative estimates, driven by sodium rather than calories. Treats overall should stay under about 10% of daily calories, a guideline from WSAVA.
Chop olives in half or quarters for small dogs. If your dog drinks a lot afterward, that's the salt talking; make sure fresh water is available.
Can Dogs Have Olive Oil?
A small amount of olive oil isn't harmful, and some owners add a few drops to food. But it's pure fat: one teaspoon has about 40 calories. Too much can cause diarrhea and weight gain, and fatty foods can trigger pancreatitis in prone dogs. Don't add oil regularly without your vet's OK. For skin and coat support, fish oil for dogs has stronger evidence.
Dogs That Should Skip Olives
- Dogs with heart disease, kidney disease or high blood pressure, where sodium is often limited. See our kidney diet for dogs guide.
- Dogs with a history of pancreatitis or on a low-fat diet.
- Small puppies, for whom pits and salt are bigger risks.
The olive tree itself is listed as non-toxic to dogs by the ASPCA, but fallen olives with pits are still a choking hazard in the yard.
Are olives good for dogs? They're not harmful in tiny amounts, but they're not needed either. The salt usually outweighs any benefit from the healthy fats.
My dog swallowed an olive pit. What should I do? One pit often passes in a medium or large dog. Watch for vomiting, straining or loss of appetite, and call your vet if any appear or if a small dog swallowed it.
— Dr. Sarah Miller, DVM
Olives for Dogs: Quick Serving Guide
✓ Do
- Choose plain, pitted olives
- Rinse off the brine
- Cut them small for little dogs
- Keep it to one or two
✕ Don't
- Give olives with pits
- Share garlic or cheese-stuffed olives
- Offer marinated olives or tapenade
- Feed them to dogs on low-salt diets
Dogs with heart or kidney disease or pancreatitis should get a vet OK first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat black olives?
Yes. Plain, pitted canned black olives are usually the mildest choice, since they're less salty than most green or Kalamata olives.
Can dogs eat green olives?
Yes, rarely and rinsed. They're often saltier, so stick to one or two.
Can dogs eat olives with pimentos?
A plain pimento-stuffed olive is OK once in a while. Pimentos are mild sweet peppers. Avoid garlic or cheese stuffing.
Can dogs eat olives from a tree?
Raw olives from the tree are extremely bitter and still have pits. Most dogs spit them out; don't let them chew fallen fruit.
Are olives or pickles better for dogs?
Neither is a great treat because both are salty. A plain cucumber slice gives the crunch without the brine. See our cucumbers guide.
Checking another food? See our What Can Dogs Eat? A-Z list of safe and unsafe foods.
The Bottom Line
Can dogs eat olives? Yes, a plain, pitted olive or two once in a while. Remove every pit, rinse off brine and skip olives stuffed with garlic or cheese or soaked in spicy marinades. Dogs on low-salt diets should pass. For more snack answers, see our Can Dogs Eat…? library or the Start Here guide.
References & Sources
Written by CPD Nutrition Desk using the sources below. We are not affiliated with these organizations, and this guide is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
- USDA — USDA FoodData Central
- ASPCA — People foods avoid feeding your pets
- WSAVA — WSAVA guidetotreats dogs 251107
- ASPCA — View source