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Nutrition

Olive Oil for Dogs: Calories, Fat and When to Skip It

Quick answer

Olive oil is safe for most dogs in small amounts, but it is pure fat: 884 kcal per 100 g, or about 119 kcal in a tablespoon. A 2 mL Mighty K9 serving adds 16.2 kcal. Olive oil has no EPA or DHA omega-3, and extra fat can upset the stomach. Skip it if your dog has had pancreatitis, unless your vet agrees.

Written by the Mighty K9 editorial teamUpdated · 8 min read

A Mighty K9 amber dropper bottle beside an olive branch with green and black olives
Mighty K9 is almost entirely organic extra virgin olive oil: every 2 mL serving adds about 1.8 g of fat and 16.2 kcal to the bowl.

Short answer

Is olive oil good for dogs?

Olive oil is a normal food fat, and a small amount is fine for most healthy dogs. But it is pure fat, dense in calories, and lacks joint omega-3s.

Mighty K9 is mostly olive oil. The Guaranteed Analysis lists 100% minimum crude fat and 16.2 kcal per 2 mL serving. Read the full label on our Mighty K9 Guaranteed Analysis page.

Calories

How many calories are in olive oil for a dog?

Olive oil has 884 kcal per 100 g, and one tablespoon has about 119 kcal (USDA, Olive oil). That is roughly seven times a 2 mL Mighty K9 serving at 16.2 kcal.

Olive oil amounts in calories, from USDA FoodData Central and the Mighty K9 label
AmountCaloriesShare of a 22 lb dog's day (630 kcal)
2 mL (one Mighty K9 serving)16.2 kcal2.6%
1 teaspoon (about 5 mL)About 40 kcalAbout 6%
1 tablespoon (about 15 mL)About 119 kcalAbout 19%
100 g884 kcalMore than a full day

By dog size

How much of my dog's daily calories does one serving use?

For a big dog, very little; for a toy breed, a real slice. The 2 mL serving never changes.

One 2 mL serving10% guide for treats and extras

  • Toy, 3 kg (7 lb)

    6.3%
    About 255 kcal a day for a neutered adult · 1 serving = 16.2 kcal · ESS60 0.53 mg per kg

  • Small, 5 kg (11 lb)

    4.3%
    About 374 kcal a day for a neutered adult · 1 serving = 16.2 kcal · ESS60 0.32 mg per kg

  • Medium, 10 kg (22 lb)

    2.6%
    About 630 kcal a day for a neutered adult · 1 serving = 16.2 kcal · ESS60 0.16 mg per kg

  • Large, 25 kg (55 lb)

    1.3%
    About 1,252 kcal a day for a neutered adult · 1 serving = 16.2 kcal · ESS60 0.06 mg per kg

  • Giant, 40 kg (88 lb)

    0.9%
    About 1,781 kcal a day for a neutered adult · 1 serving = 16.2 kcal · ESS60 0.04 mg per kg

Bars run from 0 to the 10% line that WSAVA uses for treats and extras (WSAVA, Choosing food). Daily calories use 1.6 x the resting energy requirement (70 x kg^0.75) (Merck Vet Manual, Calorie needs); your dog's real needs depend on age, activity and body condition, so ask your vet. The label serving is the same 2 mL for every size.

A neutered adult dog needs about 1.6 times its resting energy, which is 70 x body weight in kg to the 0.75 power (Merck Vet Manual, Calorie needs). A 70 lb Lab needs about 1,500 kcal a day, so 16.2 kcal is about 1%. A 7 lb toy Poodle needs about 255 kcal, so the same serving is about 6%.

Omega-3

Does olive oil give dogs omega-3?

884kcal per 100 g of olive oil
119kcal in one tablespoon
73g monounsaturated fat per 100 g
0g of EPA omega-3
0g of DHA omega-3

No. Olive oil is mostly monounsaturated fat and has no EPA or DHA (USDA, Olive oil). Those two fish-oil omega-3s are the ones studied for dog joints, so olive oil cannot stand in for them.

Stomach

Can olive oil upset a dog's stomach?

Yes. Fats and oils can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis in some pets (ASPCA, People foods). Small dogs and dogs with sensitive stomachs feel it first.

  • Start with the measured amount, never a free pour.
  • Give it with a meal, not on an empty stomach.
  • Watch the next two days for loose stool, gas or vomiting.

The usual signs of trouble with Mighty K9 are covered on our Mighty K9 side effects page.

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When to skip

Which dogs should not have olive oil?

Dogs that have had pancreatitis are the main group to skip it unless the vet agrees. They need a low-fat diet, often under 20 g of fat per 1,000 kcal (Merck Vet Manual, Pancreatitis).

Pancreatitis and low-fat diets

For a 22 lb dog eating about 630 kcal a day, that limit is roughly 12.6 g of fat for the whole day. A 2 mL serving adds about 1.8 g, or about a seventh of it. Vomiting, belly pain and diarrhea after a fatty meal need a vet the same day.

Also ask your vet first for puppies, dogs on a weight-loss plan, and dogs with chronic gut problems. The sales FAQ says puppies under 6 months should see a vet before starting Mighty K9.

Budget

How do I fit olive oil into my dog's treat budget?

Keep all treats and extras at 10% or less of the day's calories (WSAVA, Choosing food). Olive oil, chews, table scraps and training treats all share that one budget.

  1. Find the daily total

    Ask your vet, or use 1.6 x 70 x kg^0.75 as a rough start. A 12 lb Shih Tzu needs about 400 kcal.

  2. Take 10%

    That Shih Tzu gets about 40 kcal for all extras. One 2 mL serving uses 16.2 of them, about 40%.

  3. Trim elsewhere

    Cut one small biscuit or a few kibble pieces from the bowl to make room. Weigh the food for two weeks.

The 10% extras budget by size, and what one 2 mL serving uses (neutered adults, rough estimates)
DogDaily kcal10% extras budgetServing's share of the budget
7 lb toy Poodle (3 kg)About 255About 26 kcalAbout 63%
12 lb Shih Tzu (5.4 kg)About 400About 40 kcalAbout 41%
22 lb Beagle (10 kg)About 630About 63 kcalAbout 26%
70 lb Lab (32 kg)About 1,500About 150 kcalAbout 11%

See keeping a senior dog lean.

Bottom line

So is olive oil worth it for your dog?

A measured 2 mL is a small, easy food fat for most healthy adult dogs. A free pour from the kitchen bottle is a lot of calories, and no amount gives omega-3.

If you use Mighty K9, count the 16.2 kcal in the treat budget and skip it after pancreatitis unless your vet says yes. More on the oil itself is on our olive oil ingredient page.

Sources

Where do these olive oil numbers come from?

USDA data, the Mighty K9 label and veterinary references.

  1. Oil, olive, salad or cooking (FDC ID 171413). USDA FoodData Central, 2019.884 kcal per 100 g; 1 tablespoon is about 119 kcal. Mostly monounsaturated fat (73 g per 100 g), with 0 g EPA and 0 g DHA.
  2. Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats. Merck Veterinary Manual, 2025.Dietary indiscretion is a common risk factor in dogs. Dogs with pancreatitis need a low-fat ration (under 20 g fat per 1,000 kcal). Signs include vomiting, belly pain and diarrhea.
  3. Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual, 2025.Resting energy requirement = 70 x (body weight in kg)^0.75. A neutered adult dog needs about 1.6 x that a day.
  4. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, 2024.Fats and oils can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis in some pets. ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.
  5. Selecting the Best Food for your Pet. WSAVA Global Nutrition Toolkit, 2021.Ask makers about qualified nutritionists, quality control and published studies. Treats and extras should stay at or under 10% of the diet.

FAQ

Olive oil for dogs: questions owners ask

How much olive oil can I give my dog a day?

Keep it small and measured, within the 10% treat budget. For a 22 lb dog that budget is about 63 kcal for all extras, and a tablespoon of olive oil alone is about 119 kcal. A 2 mL serving at 16.2 kcal fits most adult dogs.

Is olive oil good for dogs' joints?

There is no good evidence that olive oil helps dog joints. It has no EPA or DHA, the fish-oil omega-3s with the best joint data in dogs. Lean body weight and a vet plan matter far more for stiff joints.

Can olive oil cause pancreatitis in dogs?

Extra fat, including olive oil, can trigger vomiting, diarrhea and potentially pancreatitis in some dogs. Dogs that have had pancreatitis usually need a low-fat diet, so ask your vet before adding any oil.

Will olive oil make my dog gain weight?

It can, because olive oil is calorie dense. A daily tablespoon adds about 119 kcal, close to a fifth of a 22 lb dog's needs. Measured small servings and trimming other treats keep the total steady.

Is extra virgin olive oil better for dogs than regular?

Extra virgin and regular olive oil have about the same calories and fat, and neither has EPA or DHA. No dog study shows a health difference between them.

Does olive oil help a dog's coat?

The sales page for Mighty K9 says olive oil supports skin and coat. A small amount of any food fat can help a dry coat in a dog on a low-fat diet, but a complete dog food already supplies essential fats.

Who wrote this

Written and reviewed by

Written byThe Mighty K9 editorial teamThemightyk9, the Mighty K9 U.S. shop

Plain-language pages built from the label panel, the sales page and linked veterinary and public sources.

Medically reviewed byDr. Aimee Duffy, MD, PhysicianRole: Medical reviewerReview date: October 12, 2026

Last updated . Both our editorial standards and how we check reviews are open to read. This website is run by Themightyk9, the Mighty K9 U.S. shop and a stocking partner, not by the manufacturer. Buying through our order links earns us money.

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