Health
Olive oil can benÂeÂfit both dogs and cats by improvÂing their overÂall health, skin, and coat, but it is imporÂtant to use it in modÂerÂaÂtion to avoid digesÂtive issues and weight gain. Vets recÂomÂmend adding one teaÂspoon of olive oil per 20 pounds of body weight per meal for dogs, while cats can benÂeÂfit from the oil to reduce the risk of carÂdioÂvasÂcuÂlar disÂeases, diaÂbetes, and hairÂballs, among other health issues.
Olive oil doesÂn’t only benÂeÂfits humans, it can help your cat or dog stay healthy, too. From healthy coats to hairÂball manÂageÂment and more, it can be a superÂfood for our furry friends, but too much can have a negÂaÂtive effect. Here’s how to incorÂpoÂrate olive oil into your dog’s or cat’s diet and all its advanÂtages.
Those monounÂsatÂuÂrated fats will not only keep your heart healthy but could also keep your dog livÂing longer. Potential benÂeÂfits include the preÂvenÂtion of carÂdioÂvasÂcuÂlar disÂease, diaÂbetes, canÂcer and excess weight gain, and a healthÂier immune sysÂtem, accordÂing to Rover.com.
Studies have also found olive oil’s link to brain health and joint health. Both are imporÂtant for senior dogs, who can sufÂfer from hip dysÂplaÂsia, elbow dysÂplaÂsia, arthriÂtis and osteoarthriÂtis.
Olive oil doesn’t just keep dogs feelÂing good, it helps them look good too. It’s a remÂedy for dry skin, but be careÂful of floor and furÂniÂture stains. A less messy way to help your dog’s skin and coat is to add the oil to his diet. The omega‑3 fatty acids help moisÂturÂize the skin and preÂvent flakes from returnÂing, accordÂing to PetGuide.com.
Vets recÂomÂmend one teaÂspoon of olive oil per 20 pounds of body weight per meal, mixed in with your dog’s regÂuÂlar wet or dry food, accordÂing to PawCulture.com.
Extra virÂgin olive, which has a lower acid conÂtent, is best. Though olive oil has many health benÂeÂfits for dogs, too much can cause digesÂtive issues and weight gain. Always watch out for signs of diarÂrhea or vomÂitÂing, and cut it out if you notice any issues.
Cats
Like their canine counÂterÂparts, cats can enjoy many health benÂeÂfits related to olive oil and its monounÂsatÂuÂrated fat, accordÂing to AnimalWised.com. It can also reduce their risk of carÂdioÂvasÂcuÂlar disÂeases and diaÂbetes, boost the immune sysÂtem, and help them lose weight. This reducÂtion in weight also cuts their risk of havÂing a stroke.
Constipation can be a big probÂlem in cats, and even lead to death. Olive oil is a natÂural remÂedy for the issue, as it has a laxÂaÂtive effect. It’s not surÂprisÂing that olive oil is also a cure for hairÂballs.
On averÂage, cats cough up three to four hairÂballs a month, accordÂing to Hartz. The pet supÂply comÂpany sugÂgests mixÂing one teaÂspoon of olive oil into your cat’s food for three days as a hairÂball cure.
Adding olive oil to your cat’s diet on a regÂuÂlar basis will even keep fur shiny and soft. It’s recÂomÂmended to add a spoonÂful of oil in your cat’s food at least 3 times a week; mix it well until the oil is absorbed by the food.
Outside of your cat’s diet, pet ownÂers can use olive oil to preÂvent ear infecÂtions, accordÂing to VetInfo.com. To clean a cat’s ears with olive oil, use a plasÂtic ear dropÂper or a syringe, cotÂton balls, towel and bowl of warm water. Warm the olive oil to the cat’s body temÂper by placÂing the olive oil conÂtainer inside the warm water bowl. Fill the ear dropÂper or the syringe with a litÂtle olive oil. Add one to two drops in the cat’s ear canal openÂing. Massage the ear area with cirÂcuÂlar motions to make sure that the liqÂuid enters the ear canal. Repeat the motions five times for each ear. When done, allow the cat to shake his head for about 5 minÂutes, and then clean the outer part of the ear using cotÂton balls or a clean towel.
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