Can Dogs Eat Avocado? The Surprising Answer

In recent years, avocados have taken the world by storm. This versatile fruit is popular and is often added to salads, eaten directly on toast, or mixed with other toppings for hearty guacamole. As avocados become more and more common in our household, the question arises, "Can dogs eat avocados?" This appeared more than once! 

Can dogs eat avocados?

Avocados are touted as a nutritious and delicious snack for humans, but can dogs eat avocados? The answer is yes and no. Avocados contain persin, a fungal toxin that can cause serious health problems and even death in many animals. According to veterinarians, dogs are more resistant to person than other animals, but that doesn't mean it's 100% safe for your dog to eat avocados. Persin is found in the avocado fruit, pits, leaves, and the actual plant, so all of these parts can be toxic to your dog. It is unclear exactly how lethal persin is. Large doses can cause vomiting, diarrhea and damage to the myocardium. Avocado pulp is high in fat and can cause gastrointestinal upset and pancreatitis in dogs if eaten in excess, as well as weight gain due to its high calorie content. Another problem is the pit in the center of the fruit, which can cause choking.

The Nutritional Benefit of Avocado For Dogs

One of the reasons avocados are so popular is that they are packed with nutrients, including:

• Omega-3 fatty acids

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin B3 (niacin)

• Magnesium

• Antioxidants

• Amino acids

• Folate

• Vitamin B6

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin E

• Fiber

• Potassium

Fatty acids, niacin, potassium, and folic acid are essential for your dog's healthy skin and coat. Vitamins A, B3, B6, C, and E are necessary for healthy bones, eyes, skin, and coats. But just because avocado flesh is packed with nutrients that can benefit your baby, that doesn't mean feeding your dog avocado is risk-free.

What happens if my dog eats avocado?

Avocado pulp is unlikely to cause problems. In terms of toxicity, the flesh is the part with the least Persin content. However, the risk is greater when large amounts of avocados are consumed, as a published report of two dogs developed heart failure after long-term consumption of large amounts of avocados.

If your dog eats a large amount of avocado at once, he is more likely to experience vomiting or diarrhea because avocados are high in fat, which can cause stomach upset. Fatty foods can also cause pancreatitis in dogs, which is a very serious condition.

Another concern is that the pit or core of an avocado can be a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage, so make sure your dog doesn't paw it. If you grow avocado plants in your home or garden, make sure they are out of your fingernails' reach.

If your dog eats a few avocados, pay attention to any symptoms or changes. If you notice any concerns, take your dog to the vet.

The Risks of Avocados for Dogs: Pits & Persin

Avocados contain persin, a toxin that can cause death if your dog eats a lot of avocados. However, dogs are mostly resistant to people. Some parts of the avocado contain the most person, including the pit, leaves, and flesh/skin of the avocado, so these should never be fed to your dog. Also, be sure to keep your dog away from avocado plants or trees, as they are more likely to absorb more people.

The pit is the dangerous part of the avocado because it can pose a choking hazard. It can get stuck in his throat and block his airway or enter his intestines and cause an obstruction. Also, many avocados are not good for your pup, as he shouldn't be eating that much fat. High-fat content can eventually lead to weight gain and many dangerous health problems such as pancreatitis.

The Signs of Persin Toxicity 

If your dog ate a lot of avocados and the person poisoned him, you’ll see some telltale side effects including: 

• Extreme lethargy

• Swelling

• Gastrointestinal upset

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Trouble breathing

If you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Your dog may require urinalysis and blood tests and may require IV fluids and antiemetic injections for stomach upset. For immediate care, dog owners should contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680.

How to Safely Feed Your Dog Avocado

If you want to give your dog avocado, be sure to do so without putting your pup at any risk. Here are three rules of thumb to follow:

Keep portion sizes small. If you give your dog avocado in large quantities, the risk of persin poisoning increases, and the high-fat content can be dangerous for your pup.

Only give your dog the fruit itself. Never let your dog eat the stems, leaves, or peels of an avocado plant. Remove the skin completely and discard the pits from each avocado to ensure your dog doesn't choke on it. 

Only give your dog regular avocados. Never let your dog become addicted to guacamole, as it can contain other harmful ingredients such as onions, garlic, and salt.

How many avocados Can A Dog Have?

The amount of avocado your dog can eat will depend on the size of your dog. The bigger your dog, the more avocados he can safely eat. However, it's important to remember that your dog should get most of his nutrition from his daily dog ​​food, not treats. Treats should not make up more than 10% of the dog's daily calories.

Now you know the answer to the question "Can dogs eat avocados?" Even if your dog can't enjoy guacamole or a slice of avocado on toast, your pup can still enjoy plenty of safe human food!  

Read more: Can dogs eat apples?