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Benefits of Olive Oil for Cats

Josie F. Turner
By Josie F. Turner, Journalist specialized in Animal Welfare. Updated: September 9, 2020
Benefits of Olive Oil for Cats
Cats

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Olive oil is considered a “superfood” thanks to its many nutrients and nutritional benefits. Olive oil is just as healthy for cats as it is for humans.

In this AnimalWised article, we're going to discuss the benefits of olive oil for cats. We'll also look into the different uses for olive oil for cats.

Nutritional value of olive oil

One tablespoon of olive oil contains about 119 calories and 14 grams of fat, making it a high calorie food product. The good news is that the fat is healthy, mostly monounsaturated, around 6.7 grams and polyunsaturated, 4.6 grams. A small amount of calories come from saturated fat.

To have a better understanding, let's look at the other nutritional value of olive oil. The following nutrition information is provided by the USDA for one tablespoon (15g) of olive oil:

  • Calories: 119
  • Fat: 14g
  • Sodium: 0.3mg
  • Carbohydrates: 0g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Sugars: 0g
  • Protein: 0g

Is olive oil safe for cats?

Yes, olive oil is non-toxic to cats. In fact, olive oil can be a great supplement in a cat's diet. In other words, not only is olive oil safe for cats, but it is also beneficial for their diet and overall health.

Benefits of Olive Oil for Cats - Is olive oil safe for cats?

Benefits of olive oil for cats

Feeding our pet a nutritious and healthy diet is guaranteed to achieve positive results. Not only in the health of the cat but also in their state of mind. These are some of the benefits of olive oils for cats:

  • Improves the immune system
  • Offers great nutritional value
  • Has good monounsaturated fats
  • Facilitates weight loss in cats
  • Natural remedy for constipation
  • Promotes healthy skin and fur
  • Can reduce the risk of diabetes
  • Can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases

Try to buy virgin olive oil when possible as it is less processed than other olive oils. This will ensure that your cat receives more of the nutritional value. As you can see, olive oil has many benefits for cats. Thankfully, cats also enjoy the taste.

Olive oil as a natural remedy for cats

Olive oil is one of the best natural remedies for constipation in cats. Cats suffer greatly from this problem, which seems minuscule but can be problematic and even lead to death.

Constipation can be both mild and chronic. If your cat is constipated and has difficulty defecating, it is because their diet does not contain enough fiber and their digestive system is not working properly. As a remedy you can give them a teaspoon of olive oil with their normal wet food. The olive oil will stimulate their bowel movements and make the stool more liquid and easy to discard.

Olive oil is also excellent for improving the shine and softness of your cat's fur thanks to its moisturizing properties. It will also help hydrate and keep their skin healthy. Lastly, olive oil will help cats get rid of any hairballs stuck on their throat.

Benefits of Olive Oil for Cats - Olive oil as a natural remedy for cats

How much olive oil you should feed your cat

Besides having pure positive properties for the health of your cat, olive oil is easily affordable and accessible. You can find it in any supermarket or organic food store.

Many people ask how much olive oil can you feed a cat. You can include one tablespoon of olive oil in your pet's meal 1-3 times a week. Mix it well so the oil is absorbed by the food. That's all you have to do!

Benefits of Olive Oil for Cats - How much olive oil you should feed your cat

If you found this article useful, you may be interested in our article about Olive Oil for Dogs.

If you want to read similar articles to Benefits of Olive Oil for Cats, we recommend you visit our Extra care category.

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9 comments
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GAIL JANE
SAT. 5/28/22 6:50 PM CST, HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, AR. USA 🇺🇲 .... THANK YOU FOR CREATING SUCH A " ANIMAL WISED " USEFUL INFORMATION ARTICLES ABOUT & FOR OUR BELOVED & BEAUTIFUL FAMILY OF ANIMALS WE CARE FOR AS PARENTS / ADOPTIVE PARENTS & MEDICAL & RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS ...
Administrador AnimalWised
It's what we love to do!
Rating:
Lois
I found this a helpful article. Nine months ago I adopted an eight year old Ragdoll cat. I don't know his history but he came to me looking pretty rough so I don't think he's had much health care. He doesn't have any skin sores, but he scratches a lot so I thought he might benefit from a little extra oil. Thank you for this article.
Rating:
Tonie Marlow
Thank you. I've been doing this, adding EVOO to catfood for a few years now - ever since I heard it wasn't toxic to cats.
Rating:
Deb
My cats don't like the smell of any oil....I just tried refined coconut oil. Rejected! Salmon oil...rejected! Olive oil...rejected! Any suggestions? I need to help my constipated kitty.
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi Deb,

Have you tried mixing the oil into their food to mask the smell/taste? This can give them the benefits of the oil in the same way.
Skippy
I feed my cat several times a day. I buy the Olive oil that says "Light and Good tasting" on the label. I mix 1/4 teaspoon in with the wet cat food. Measure it so not to put in too much at one time. You could even start with less, such as 1/8 teaspoon. My cat is 16 and she eats it right up. You can also try something called Smooth BM from Petwellbeing. Good Luck with your cat. Skippy
Catherine
I mix a little olive with the juice from sardines packed in water with NO SALT, every day. It helps her with constipation and hairballs.
Deb
2023 Update. I ditched the miralax for my male kitty some time ago and now add a pinch of psyllium and dried, flaked pumpkin to his wet food. It works! I just have make sure I don't go overboard with the pumpkin. If the two of them get hairballs, I put some organic, refined coconut oil (no taste/smell) in a dropper and carefully administer it in their mouths.
Earl
For a 10 year old, 15 lb. Tom cat, how much daily should I give him?
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi Earl,

You shouldn't give a cat olive oil daily. As the article states, 3 times a week is best. A teaspoon each time should be enough. However, 15 lbs is generally quite big of a tomcat (unless it is a Maine Coon or similar large breed). In these cases, the extra fat provided by the oil might be counterproductive.
Donald
I give my orange tabbies, Alphie and Ralphie about a couple of drops in their bowl every day, before I pu their dry food in it and then sprinkle catnip on top of everything. They gobble it right up and Alphie licks the olive oil in the bottom of the bowl. It keeps them from having hair balls and constipation.
Lynda
Careful here PLEASE! Olive oil can help to relieve some symptoms TEMPORARILY but keep in mind it contains terpenic acids and phenolic which a cat's liver is not able to properly detoxify. Cats need animal fat sources, not plant oils, as they are obligate carnivores. A fish/salmon/cod liver oil would be much better suited for their needs.
sue
i agree we need to be very careful of what to give to our cats. i also read the same thing. i have already lost 3 siblings with in a year b/c a company claim that their product was safe for cats but yet all 3 died. i still have 2 left and i am very careful of what is given to them. i notice that animal wised never responded to your comment
Rating:
Caroline
A spoonful of olive oil: do you mean teaspoon or tablespoon? Your picture looks like a tablespoon which would be 15 ml vs 5 ml fo the teaspoon.
Otherwise very helpful article.
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi Caroline,

The amount will depend on the size of your cat, but it shouldn't be more than a tablespoonful. Use a whole tablespoon for large cats and less for smaller ones.
Caroline
My cat does like the olive oil on her dry food, eating it readily. Her stools are fewer and a bit larger instead of little hard balls. She is more active too. Seems to be helpful.
Administrador AnimalWised
Thank you for your comment and information Caroline!

Keep sharing!
Gwynne
Nooooo olive oil please! Consult a vet, not a random person on the internet who is expressing an opinion, not scientific fact!
Administrador AnimalWised
Hello Gwynne,

There is no evidence to suggest olive oil for cats is damaging to their health (especially in the small doses recommended in this article). While it is true there are few scientific studies to confirm the direct beneficial effects of olive oil for cats, there are none we can find which show there is any concern when taken in these small amounts. There is evidence to support monounsaturated fat found in olive oil can provide some benefit, with many pet owners swearing by its use.

Whether you choose to add olive oil is up to you and you'd be right if you were to say that a cat can live an incredibly healthy and happy life without it. However, we can find no evidence to prove your claim that olive oil in these supplementary amounts provides any harm to a cat. If you have research which suggests otherwise, please feel free to share it.
Rating:
Donna
Excellent article !
Administrador AnimalWised
Thanks Donna!
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