Vet bills getting you down?  See how you can save some money and have a healthy pet with olive oil.

By Dané Cilliers

Pet parents and pet lovers only want the best for their pets, but sometimes the budget is just too tight to rush to the vet for a 10 min consultation. Our furry little friends however very cute can be very expensive to maintain medically. Olive oil is not only a great natural remedy for humans but can also be beneficial for your pets, specifically dogs and cats with healthy coats & hairball management and more. Although Olive oil can be a superfood for our furry friends, too much can have a negative effect. So, ensure you moderately make use of olive oil and get the “okay” from your vet if your pet may have any health problems or you want to be extra cautious.

DOGS:

An amazing addition to your pooch’s diet, olive oil for dogs packs a healthy punch. Here are a few reasons why you should share olive oil with your canine.

Incorporating olive oil into your dogs’ diet:

Olive oil is rich in fats which is valuable to keep a healthy long-living dog. Potential benefits include the prevention of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and excess weight gain and a healthier immune system according to Rover.com.

You can mix olive oil into your dog’s regular food according to their body weight. Dependent on your dogs’ size always liaises with a vet to figure out the right dosages.

Olive oil for dogs’ immune system health:

Olive oil can also be beneficial for your dogs’ immune system. Olive oil is rich in polyphenols and carotenoids which will help improve their immune system. Having a strong immune system is essential for your dog to help fight off infection, as well as helping your dog transition from one season to the next because just like humans, dogs too can get sick when the weather changes. We all want our dogs to have a healthy wet nose but not a runny nose. For senior dogs who suffer from hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, arthritis, and osteoarthritis studies have found that olive oil links to brain health and joint health.

For senior dogs who suffer from hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, arthritis, and osteoarthritis studies have found that olive oil links to brain health and joint health.

Feel good and look good:

If your dog has dry, flaky skin you do not necessarily have to spend a fortune on fancy shampoos and conditioners. Olive Oil contains healing properties which means it can ease and prevent dry skin on your pooch A bonus tip: A natural remedy to get rid of dog fleas is to mix olive oil and lavender oil.

Olive oil is a great remedy for their dry skin but be careful of floor and furniture stains. A less messy way to ensure a shiny coat is to incorporate olive oil into the diet. Omega 3-fatty acids help moisturize the skin and prevent flakes from returning.  All you need to do is add about ½ tablespoon of olive oil to your dog’s food twice a day for several days. Extra virgin olive is best because it is lower in acid content that gives a fresher flavor.

Cost-effective remedy for dog ears:

Those floppy ears breeds (such as Bernese Dogs) and white dog breeds (such as Chihuahua) are most common to have ear infections or dry skin around their ears.

If you are experiencing an overpowering dog smell in your home, it may be the yeasty smell that comes from such infections. The fantastic thing about using olive oil for dog’s ears is that it is cheap and is readily available. If your dog may be showing signs of having an irritated ear and your vet is closed you can start by massaging the ear with warm olive oil- be careful that the oil is not too hot (meaning not above room temperature). You can also insert slightly warmed olive oil with a dropper into your dog’s ear but rather advise your vet before doing so to prevent any negative effects.

For more information regarding olive oil for your dog, read the article linked below:

CATS:

As a parent for your feline sweetheart, you are always cautious about what we give them. But in short: You can absolutely feed olive oil to your cat however if you do make sure that you feed it in moderation. Olive oil is considered non-toxic to cats and can be a great supplement in their diet. Before we list all the benefits, we advise that the best type of olive oil to use is an extra virgin.

Extra virgin olive oil is less acidic and is not chemically treated, making it safer for cats to consume. Extra virgin olive oil is also much higher quality oil that will ensure your cat does not get sick.

Olive oil can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, boost the immune system and help your cat lose weight.

Olive oil is a natural remedy for constipation in cats. It has a laxative effect and can contribute to curing hairballs. It is suggested that you mix one teaspoon of olive oil into your cats’ food for three days as a hairball cure. In general, it is recommended that you should always start by feeding your cats small amounts of olive oil and then increase the feedings. For conditioning, you can feed one teaspoon every three days.

Adding olive oil to your cats’ diet on a regular basis will even keep fur shiny and soft.

Besides your cats’ diet, pet owners can use olive oil to prevent ear infection. Follow the link for step by step guide on how to use olive oil in your cats’ ear. 

Who knew that this pantry staple could do so much good for your furry best friend?