Olive Oil for Dogs — 8 Reasons to Add it to Your Dog’s Diet

Olive oil, that staple of every kitchen, happens to make an excellent, healthful addition to every dog’s food bowl. I know I’m have touted before the benefits of coconut oil, which is another mainstay in my pantry, but let’s not forget the oil that comes from olives, which has its own fantastic advantages. In fact, why not mix things up? Rotate the oils you sweeten your dog’s food bowl with! I like to switch among olive, coconut, and (for the omega-3 factor so key to senior dog vitality) fish oil by Nordic Naturals. Here are eight reasons to heart olive oil for dogs. Bone appetit!

1. It tastes doggone good

Few things perk up a boring bowl of dry kibble better than a spoonful of what dog-loving celebrity chef Rachael Ray affectionately calls EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil) — especially if your kibble might be, ahem, the tiniest bit stale. Add a dash of cinnamon and turmeric, and you’ve spiced your dog’s meal in grand style!

2. It helps your dog lose weight

Whether the portly pepperpot is canine or human, if there are some unwanted pounds that need shedding, olive oil for dogs helps grease the weight-loss engine. The monounsaturated fats in olive oil actually encourage pound-melting by breaking down the fat inside fat cells, getting rid of belly fat and reducing insulin sensitivity.

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