Can Dogs Eat Avocado?

 

Being dog owners, we tend to sometimes share food with our pets, whether it is giving it a bite of our good treats or tasty food. However, all human food is not safe to be given to dogs and one of the most frequently asked questions by pet lovers is whether dogs can eat avocados.

Avocados are well known for the avocados, the danger of feeding the avocados to dogs and the expert opinion on how to introduce the new food safely into the diet of the dog.

Also, we will bring some references to reliable veterinary sources in order to make sure that your choice is not ill-informed.  You can have a lot more knwoledge on pet fresh supplies.

Can dogs eat Avocado as Food?

Avocados represent one of the healthiest types of fruits being native to Central America and regularly eaten all over the globe even in the form of guacamole and avocado slices on toasted bread. They are healthy fats and fiber and have a variety of vitamins, including Vitamin K, Vitamin E, and B-Vitamins. However, although they can be beneficial to a human being, the big question to ask is, can these nutrients be suitable to dogs, given that they are also beneficial to them?

Avocados are filled with various materials that impact on different animals differently. Certain of these ingredients are toxic to some species particularly in big amounts like persin. In order to know whether avocados are safe in dogs we should look at the positive and negative sides of avocados.

Nutritional Value of Avocados to the Dogs?

So before moving on to the health benefits, let us have a quick look at the nutritional benefits of avocados which makes them so popular among human beings. They are jammed with:

Good Fats: Avocados contain monounsaturated fat that is good to the heart and lowers cholesterol.

Fiber: Avocados can support digestion as a rich supply source of dietary fiber.

The vitamins and minerals: Avocado contains plenty of vitamins such as Vitamin K, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and various B-Vitamins which aid in immune health, skin health and cell correction.

Antioxidants: They also have antioxidants; lutein and zeaxanthin which is good for the eye.

Nevertheless, not all these may necessarily be applicable in the case of dogs as they are with humans. Avocados contain monounsaturated fat that is healthy to human beings but can promote obesity in dogs when consumed in large quantities. Moreover, the amount of fiber would be excessive as far as the digestive system of a dog is concerned in case of excessive consumption.  You can read about your pets and their breeds on our dog breeds page.

Can Dogs Eat Avocados? The Potential Risks

Although the nutritional value of the avocado must appear exciting, it is necessary to be informed about a number of serious dangers, when feeding dogs avocados. The main dangers in these are risks involving persin which is a fungicidal toxin present throughout most of the avocado plant such as the fruit, seed, skin, and leaves. Persin may have an adverse effect on some animals, so what is the situation with dogs?

Persin Toxicity: Persin Toxicity: Persin is quite safe to humans and other animals, but it is toxic on some animals. However, dogs are mostly far more tolerant to persin toxicity, compared to other animals (i.e. birds and some mammals). Although it is not very toxic to dogs, massive intake of avocado might result in gastrointestinal upsets and vomiting and diarrhea. It contains the highest level of persin in the skin, pit and leaves and hence these parts of the avocado should be avoided at all cost.

Pit and Seed Hazard: The avocado pit (large seed) that is present in the avocado is a choke hazard to a dog. Swallowing the pit may cause gastrointestinal blockage and this will involve the surgical removal. One should dispose of the pit immediately, and make sure the pit is out of reach of his dog.

Lot of Fats: Fats are in abundance in avocado and this is what makes them look and taste so creamy. Nonetheless, the diet of a dog must not comprise an excessive amount of fat. Giving dogs excess avocados and other high-fat ingredients may result in obesity and the condition pancreatitis that inflames the pancreas and, in certain cases, may cause serious abdominal pain, diarrhea, and even the worsening of organ functions.

Gastrointestinal Upset: others may experience a gastrointestinal upset after consuming avocados even in small quantities, particularly when they are not accustomed to feeding on rich foods. It may cause diarrhea, gas and bloating which will make your dog feel uncomfortable. In case you have a dog with digestive problems or a weak stomach, you should not feed it with avocado at all.

Advantage of Feeding Dogs Avocado?

It is confirmed that it can be helpful, to a certain extent, in terms of feeding your dog. These advantages are largely connected with healthy fats and vitamins of the fruit:

Skin and Coat Health: Replacing unhealthy fats with the healthy ones and the antioxidants present in avocados can make your dog have a healthy condition of his/her skin and coat giving it a shiny and soft coat.

Better Digestion: Avocado fiber helps to maintain proper digestion and avoids constipation in certain dogs when consumed in small doses.

Nutritional Value: Avocados are nutritious foods, i.e., a little goes a long way in supplying your dog the necessary vitamins and minerals that help her to increase her health.

The possible advantages of this however are insignificant to the dangers involved hence one should always eat avocados with caution.

What Experts Say About Feeding Avocados to Dogs

To be more informed on the issue, we will approach veterinary specialists and consult them on the possibility of dogs consuming avocados.

Jennifer Coates, a veterinarian and a specialist of PetMD, recommends that, although avocados are not indeed very toxic to dogs, moderation is the way to go. She stresses that the pit and the skin must be avoided at all costs and small pieces of the fruit itself remain a treat to pets. Dr. Coates also suggests that, in case you suspect any symptoms of gastrointestinal upsets, cease the intake of avocado in your dog.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) gives the same recommendations, meaning that some of the avocados are harmless in a small dose, yet a dog owner should retain control over an amount administered and avoid eating the skin, leaves, and the pit. They also emphasize that the gastrointestinal system of some dogs might be more sensitive and they might develop an upset because of eating this avocado, therefore, it is recommended to keep the dog under close observation.

Is Avocado Good Food for Dog?

In case you chose to give your dog some avocado, you should focus on several guidelines that will help you remain safe:

Get rid of Pit and Skin: Working with the pit and the skin is always a bad idea because they contain persin and can be a choking hazard.

Serve Small Portions: you should serve a little bit of the flesh, no more than one or two tablespoons. This minimises the risks of over feeding the fat or fibre to your dog thereby causing digestive disorders.

Monitor Reactions: Once you add avocado to your dogs food, monitor them as they might get indigestibility or an allergic reaction, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of energy. In case of some symptoms, cease feeding of avocado, and visit your veterinarian.

Healthy In Moderation: It is better to treat avocado as an exclusive snack than include it as a stable food product of the dog. Apple (without seeds), blueberries, and carrots are much safer and healthier fruits and vegetables to feed dogs to mention but a few.

What about other dog foods?

In case you want to provide your dogs with healthy alternatives to avocado, you may want healthy food.  You may find a lot of vegetables and fruits that are healthy and safe. There are excellent alternatives to it:

Carrots: 1 of the best low calorie snacks, fiber and Vitamin A.

Apples: Containing plenty of fiber and Vitamin C, only be aware that the seeds create laxative effects.

Blueberries: It is has antioxidants and is not toxic to dogs as long as consumed in moderation.

Pumpkin: It is really very good for the digestive system.

Conclusion

So the answer is yes, your dog can eat avocado but there are precautionary measures to observe. Most dogs can have avocado in moderation without problems except the avoidance of the skin, pit, and leaves.  Provided you have decided to feed avocado to your dog, it should only be in small portions. And you should continuously observe your dog in order to note any side effects which might arise.

In case of doubt, it is always better to consult your vet so that he can advice you. He will tell you according to the health and the dietary needs of your dog. Introduce any new food into your dogs slowly and in moderate proportions.  This is only so that the dog does not develop any gastrointestinal related problems.

You can also read PetMD’s Can Dogs Eat Avocados? Is It Safe To Dogs?