Can I give Extra Virgin Olive Oil to my Dog?
This is a very relevant question, after all, January is one of the coldest months of the year. Depending on where you live, you may be experiencing some harsh weather conditions right now. Cold weather takes its toll on our bodies & unsurprising also on our canine friends!
In order to answer the question, I need to introduce you to Luna, the Papa Vince family dog. Luna came to us as a Christmas puppy in 2017. At eight weeks old she made the trip from snowy Indiana to the sunny shores of Coastal Alabama where she transitioned to her new, forever home. If you come to visit our warehouse in Gulf Shores, you’ll most likely be greeted with a hearty bark or an energetic wag of the tail but being a labrador, it’s not going to take her long to make friends with you.
As Luna settled in with us and grew from a puppy to an adult dog, we started to incorporate Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Papa Vince, of course) into her diet. We were familiar with some of the joint problems that labs can suffer with and we wanted to make sure that Luna would experience healthy joints throughout her life. This was the main reason that she started taking EVOO everyday. However we were soon to realize that dogs may experience the same health benefits that we humans might get from regular consumption of EVOO .
Here are some excellent reasons to share your Papa Vince EVOO with your BFF (best furry friend)!
- Give her a coat that shines all winter long!
The winter season can take its toll on our dog’s skin and coat. Don’t waste your money on fancy pet shampoos & conditioners, add a little EVOO to her diet and she will be glowing from the inside out. Believe me that Luna's coat is exceptionally soft & shiny.
- It promotes optimal canine health & keeps your dog heart healthy
EVOO is rich in Monounsaturated fats which may prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It contains oleic acid that is believed to help prevent cancer. According to Rover.com cancer kills 50% of dogs aged over 10 years so we definitely need to do all we can to keep our dogs healthy.
- Boosts your dog’s immune system
The high concentration of antioxidants in EVOO helps your dog’s immune system so that she can effectively fight disease.
- Helps prevent cognitive decline
Just as EVOO may help brain and mental health in humans, it might also help in dogs. Serve EVOO to Senior dogs at least once a day to help keep their brains functioning optimally.
- May Increase their energy
I’m not sure whether this is a good or a bad thing, maybe this is how Luna finds her extra energy for playtime, but the EVOO will help increase her blood flow and circulation.
- May help with joint health
EVOO is a natural anti inflammatory and when consumed regularly may help with joint lubrication for dogs of all ages and can help to decrease pain and stiffness in aging dogs.
When adding EVOO to your dog’s diet we recommend using Papa Vince Extra Virgin Olive Oil because it is cold pressed, raw, unfiltered oil that retains all the nutritional content of the olive, none of it is lost during the pressing process. Not all EVOO is created equal!
As a general guide you can feed your dog 1 teaspoon per 20 lb of body weight per day. Add it to her food & she will thank you for the extra flavor. Ask Luna, she gobbles hers up as quickly as it’s put in her bowl!
As a note of precaution, Extra Virgin Olive Oil can irritate some dog’s gastrointestinal tracts. If you notice signs of an upset stomach, remove the EVOO from your dog’s diet and contact your vet.
This article was compiled using a variety of sources including an article on rover.com
