can cats eat green olives
Yes, most cats can eat a tiny amount of plain green olive safely, but it should only ever be an occasional treat, not a regular snack. Green olives are non‑toxic to cats but offer little nutritional value and can cause problems if they’re salty, stuffed, seasoned, or given in larger amounts.
Quick Scoop
- Safe in moderation: Plain, unsalted green olives without pits are generally considered safe in very small pieces once in a while.
- Not a real “treat food”: Cats are obligate carnivores, so olives don’t meet their core dietary needs and shouldn’t replace meat‑based treats.
- Watch the salt and additives: Many jarred olives are high in sodium and may contain brine, garlic, onions, herbs, or preservatives that can upset a cat’s stomach or be harmful.
- Pits are a hazard: Olive pits can be a choking risk or cause intestinal blockage, so they must always be removed and kept away from curious cats.
- Weird “catnip” behavior is normal: Some cats act silly or euphoric around green olives because they contain isoprenoids, compounds that can trigger a response similar to catnip.
How Much Is Okay?
If you really want to share:
- Offer less than a quarter of a plain, pitted green olive.
- Only once in a while (for example, not every day, more like an occasional nibble).
- Stop immediately if you notice vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, or unusual lethargy afterward.
When Green Olives Are Not Safe
Avoid giving olives to your cat when:
- The olives are stuffed (e.g., garlic, onions, peppers, bleu cheese).
- They’re marinated in oil, herbs, chili, or flavored brine.
- Your cat has kidney, heart, or blood pressure issues where extra salt is risky.
In these cases, even small amounts could be more harmful than helpful, and safer cat‑specific treats are a better option.
Why Cats Love Green Olives
Some cats seem obsessed with green olives:
- Green olives contain isoprenoids , chemically similar to the compound in catnip, which can trigger rolling, rubbing, and playful behavior.
- Many cats are more interested in the smell than the taste, and will bat the olive around like a toy.
You can often satisfy that curiosity just by letting them sniff a bit of the brine on your fingers (as long as they’re not licking up salty liquid), rather than feeding the olive itself.
Practical Tips for Cat Owners
- Choose plain green olives, no stuffing, no fancy marinades.
- Rinse off extra brine to reduce salt if you’re going to offer a tiny piece.
- Remove the pit completely and slice a very small piece if you decide to let your cat taste it.
- Stick to species‑appropriate treats (meat‑based cat treats, cooked plain chicken, vet‑approved snacks) for everyday rewards.
If your cat eats several olives, a stuffed olive, or shows any worrying signs afterward (vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, straining, not eating, or acting very quiet), contact a vet or emergency pet helpline as soon as possible.
Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.