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
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.
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!
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.