Can Dogs Eat Olives? In Moderation

Why it’s fine in small amounts

Olives are not toxic to dogs, and the AKC says they can be safe in moderation. But they are not an ideal snack. PetMD describes them as packed with salt and fat while offering few vitamins and minerals, and the AKC notes that dogs on a complete diet do not need what olives provide.

Salt is the main drawback. Canned and pickled olives are high in sodium, which the AKC says can lead to dehydration and, rarely, salt toxicosis. Pits are the other risk: they can cause choking, block the airway, lodge in the intestines or crack a tooth.

Stuffed and marinated olives are riskier still. Garlic-stuffed olives are a problem because garlic is toxic to dogs, blue cheese stuffing is a particular worry, and olives soaked in alcohol should never be given. PetMD says one or two plain olives with the pit removed shouldn't harm a dog, while too many can cause gas, diarrhea or vomiting.

Benefits

The AKC says plain, unsalted olives contain healthy fats and some protein
Not toxic, so one or two plain, pitted olives rarely cause problems

Risks

Pits can cause choking, airway blockage, intestinal obstruction or a cracked tooth
Canned and brined olives are high in sodium, which can cause dehydration and rarely salt toxicosis
Stuffed olives may contain garlic or blue cheese
Olives soaked in alcohol are unsafe
Too many add excess salt, fat and calories

How to serve it safely

If you share, choose plain, unsalted olives with the pit removed, and give one or two at most, cut up for a small dog. PetMD notes that green olives and olive oil should be limited to very small amounts. Keep stuffed, marinated, garlic-coated and cocktail olives well away.

Neither the AKC nor PetMD gives an exact portion by size, so treat olives as a rare extra rather than a regular snack. Treats should stay under about 10% of daily calories, and a crunchy vegetable like a carrot or cucumber slice is usually a better pick.

Related forms

Food	Verdict	Why
Plain, pitted, unsalted olives	In moderation	One or two at most, occasionally.
Olives with pits	With caution	Pits are a choking, obstruction and tooth-damage hazard.
Canned or brined olives	With caution	High in sodium; the AKC warns that canned and pickled olives often carry excessive salt.
Stuffed olives (garlic, blue cheese)	No	Garlic is toxic to dogs; see our page on garlic.
Olives soaked in alcohol	No	Never give olives soaked in alcohol.

If your dog already ate it

If your dog ate one or two plain olives, it will most likely be fine. Offer water and watch for gas or a loose stool.

Call your vet if your dog ate a large number of olives, especially with pits, or has vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or a painful belly. If the olives were stuffed with garlic or blue cheese, or were soaked in alcohol, call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (US; fees may apply). Do not make your dog vomit at home.

Frequently asked questions

Can dogs eat black olives?

Plain pitted black olives are not toxic in small amounts, but PetMD notes that black and green olives are very high in sodium, so keep it to one or two at most.

Can dogs eat olives with pits?

It is better not to. The AKC says pits can cause choking, airway blockage, intestinal obstruction or a cracked tooth.

What if my dog ate a lot of olives?

Call your vet, especially if the olives still had pits or were salty, stuffed or soaked in alcohol, and watch for vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy.

Is olive oil safe for dogs?

Be careful. PetMD warns that olive oil can cause pancreatitis, so check with your vet before giving any.

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy

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