You must have already noticed that when your cat smells the smell of olives, he is irresistibly attracted to them. He then tries at all costs to catch one on the table or begins to roll on the ground, like a madman. Rest assured, your cat is not (completely) crazy!
Blame it on the pheromones
Faced with an olive, cats show the same reactions as when they are in the presence of mint or catnip (or catnip). The reason is simple, the smell of these three elements reminds them of the pheromones they produce and use to communicate, especially during mating.
By the way, the active component of the olive is nepetalactone, and this is what makes cats completely goats. Its powerful antidepressant effect acts on them as cannabis would on humans, causing them to roll on the floor, rub all over themselves, or even meow for no reason. A real drug, in short! But rest assured, the Cats Eat Olives are not harmful to your cat and its euphoric effect does not last more than 15 minutes .
Folic acid deficiency
Some believe that cats’ love of olives and olive trees comes first and foremost from their diet. Indeed, cats being pure carnivores would have deficiencies in folic acid (contained in the olive). However, folic acid is necessary for the formation of hemoglobin. However, if your cat is on a balanced diet, he’s more likely to be drawn to olives because of their alluring smell.
Now you know that if you want to amuse your cat, just rub some olives on her toys. Similarly, if you want your cat to use his scratching post rather than your sofa to scratch, for example, do not hesitate to rub olives there. And if you have to make your cat swallow a tablet, be smarter than him by impregnating the tablet with olive oil… However, be careful never to leave your cat with olives unattended! Olives are not dangerous as long as they are sniffed. But your cat shouldn’t think of swallowing them because of the pits they contain. On the other hand, you can give your cat a pitted olive from time to time.
Are olives good or risky for the cat?
The consumption of olive, as long as it is pitted, poses no problem for the cat. It is a caloric intake (between 5 and 12 Calories for an olive), without any other nutritional interest. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the quantity consumed because it often comes in addition to the daily diet.
And the olive oil?
It is common to see olive oil in the cat’s diet, especially in household rations. This is of no nutritional interest because olive oil (composed of 100% fat) contains almost no essential fatty acids. Olive oil mainly contains oleic acid (omega9), produced by the body, and therefore not essential. For a cat that needs a lot of calories in a small volume, a little olive oil represents an interesting calorie intake.
But for a cat that has a small caloric need (because it is sedentary and sterilized), it is an uninteresting contribution. It is better to bring rapeseed oil which contains essential fatty acids both omega 6 (linoleic acid) and omega 3 (alpha-linolenic acid), both essential in cats (in addition to arachidonic, another omega 6, found in meat and fish (muscle) and CAT cook for certain life stages eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (also called EPA and DHA), found in fish oils from cold seas.
Tips for using olive oil for dogs and cats.
Can you give olive oil to your dog? This question is asked to me from time to time by owners concerned about the interest of this ingredient. My answer is clear and affirmative: you can give olive oil, for very specific cases, respecting the doses and using only one type of olive oil. Olive oil is increasingly used in households, convinced of its benefits. French consumption is 3 L/year and per inhabitant.
Before telling you about the benefits of olive oil for dogs, we will briefly see the different types of olive oil and their composition. It is important to know certain notions and to make sure that they are present to keep all the advantages of olive oil.
The benefits of olive oil for dogs
A dog fed a balanced diet of good quality does not, in principle, need olive oil. However, it can be added for the following purposes:
For the coat
Being rich in phytonutrients, vitamin E, and omega 3, extra virgin olive oil moisturizes the skin, strengthens the hair, and makes the coat shine. It fights against dry skin by regenerating the dermis.
Improves blood circulation
Thanks the antioxidant vitamin E, it contributes to a better fluidity of the blood. As blood circulation is improved, breathing is also more efficient. This is why extra-virgin olive oil may be recommended for brachycephalic breeds known to have breathing difficulties. It can also be recommended for asthmatic dogs.
Strengthens the immune system
Thanks to the antioxidants present in olive oil, the dog’s immune system is strengthened. Vitamin E, polyphenols, chlorophyll, and carotenoids are these antioxidants. The carotenoid lutein is specifically known to boost the immune system in dogs.
In case of constipation
Olive oil has the particularity of lubricating the digestive tract and facilitating the expulsion of feces. Effective in case of uncomplicated. It improves digestion, reduces stomach acidity, and has a choleretic effect (promotes the production of bile). By respecting the doses indicated below, you will avoid the excessively laxative effect of olive oil.
Fight against aging
Again, thanks to its antioxidants, olive oil prevents the oxidation of free radicals. In this way, it protects the joints and strengthens the muscles. At the level of the nervous system, it delays the degradation of cognitive functions by protecting cell membranes from damage by free radicals.
