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What symptoms and timeline should I expect after my 5 kg puppy drank a tablespoon of olive oil?

Dogs · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

You can expect symptoms like diarrhoea, greasy stools, or vomiting to start within 6 to 12 hours. A tablespoon is a large dose for a small puppy and will likely cause significant digestive upset due to the high fat content. Keep your puppy hydrated and offer a bland diet like boiled chicken and rice once their stomach settles. Monitor for signs of pancreatitis, such as repeated vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or lethargy, and call your vet if these develop.

Olive oil — Food safety facts

Safe to share · Dogs · full breakdown on the linked food page

A small drizzle over food is safe. Watch the calories.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Safe to share), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Olive oil is not toxic to dogs. The real limit is calories, fat and salt, so treat it as a small extra alongside the normal ration rather than a meal in itself.

There is no poisoning risk here, and the usual problem is simply eating too much at once: a heavy fat or salt load can bring on loose stools or a single vomit. Offer water, keep an eye on the pet for 24 hours, and do not induce vomiting.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Olive oil food facts page.

Open the full food page: Olive oil food facts →