Yes, dogs can have avocado but very sparingly. In large amounts avocado can cause issues with your pup’s health. There are toxic components of the fruit and it’s very high in fat so should only be fed to them in extreme moderation.
Avocados are a prevalent fruit in today’s society. Humans enjoy avocado in many forms, like avocado toast, guacamole, or just plain avocado. However, dogs cannot enjoy avocados the same way humans can due to how their body processes a toxin called persin.
While avocado is not a recommended snack for dogs, your pup can still enjoy some avocado in moderation. You’re even liable to find dog food at the local supermarket with avocado in it. Two or three bite-sized chunks of avocado are considered safe for your dog’s health, but more than that can cause harm.
Can Dogs Have Avocado?
Dogs can have avocado, but only in small amounts. Two or three bite-sized chunks of avocado will not harm your dog, but giving your dog a whole avocado is harmful to your pup’s health. Avocados contain a toxin called persin, which is safe for humans but harmful to dogs. This toxin can cause your dog to accumulate fluid in their chest and lungs, which is a medical emergency.
Health Benefits: Is Avocado Good for Dogs?
While it is not safe for your dog to consume a large amount of avocado, your dog can receive some health benefits while indulging in a few bites. Some health benefits of avocados include:
- Excellent source of vitamins A, B6, C, and E
- Contains fiber to aid in digestive health
- Fatty acids that support a healthy coat
- Rich in potassium and magnesium
The fatty acids in avocados help protect your dog’s skin and keep their coat healthy and shiny. If your dog suffers from dry and flaky skin, feeding your dog a couple of chunks of avocado daily can improve your dog’s skin and coat over time.
You might even notice improvements in dandruff, thin hair, shedding, and discolored hair by allowing your pup to consume a small portion of avocado. In addition to the fatty acids, the vitamins found in avocados can aid in metabolism function.
Health Risks: Is Avocado Toxic to Dogs?
Avocado is toxic to dogs if given in large amounts. Consuming more than a few bites of avocado can pose serious health risks. Health risks of your dog consuming too much avocado include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Myocardial Damage
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Potential to develop pancreatitis
- Weight gain due to the high amount of calories found in an avocado
- Fluid builds up in the chest and lungs
Treatment for Avocado Toxicity in Dogs
If your dog has consumed too much avocado, you must get your pup to a vet as soon as possible. Your dog may need decontamination and treatment. The vet will likely induce vomiting by administering hydrogen peroxide to your pup’s mouth using a syringe or an eye dropper. In addition, your dog may also need IV fluids and nausea medication.
It is essential to know that avocado toxicity can become more complicated if your dog has also swallowed the pit. This is even more of an emergency if your dog has eaten an avocado pit. The pit will become stuck inside your dog’s intestinal tract, and your pup will need surgery to remove it.
The first 72 hours after the surgery will be the most critical for your pup, but your dog should make a full recovery. There is a small chance of your dog encountering potential complications following the surgery, such as sepsis, wound opening, or a low protein count.
Your dog’s vet will monitor them closely and check the incision following the surgery. This surgery can be painful for dogs but typically is most painful after the surgery. Your pup’s vet might prescribe pain medications to help keep your dog comfortable for the next few weeks of recovery.
What Is Persin?
Persin is a toxin found in the leaves, stem, skin, and seeds of the avocado tree. Almost all parts of an avocado have it as well.. The persin found in a couple of bites of avocado will not cause harm to your dog.
However, a large quantity of avocado will harm your dog’s health. While persin is considered toxic to dogs, persin is more harmful to other animals.
Sheep, birds, goats, horses, and cows can become extremely ill from consuming a small amount of persin, and the effects can even be fatal. Luckily, dogs can handle persin in moderation.
Can Dogs Have Avocado Oil?
Your dog can have avocado oil, but only in moderation. While avocado oil does not contain persin or any other harmful ingredients, it is recommended not to give it them too often due to its high-fat content. The high-fat content can cause potential issues in your dog’s digestive system since dogs’ bodies are not designed to handle large amounts of fats.
What happens my dog eats avocado Oil?
However, if you only give your dog avocado oil in moderation, your dog can receive some nutrients they might be lacking in their diet. Avocado oil includes many vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help with inflammation and relieve joint pain.
Can Dogs Eat Avocado Pits?
No, dogs should not eat avocado pits. The avocado pits contain persin, which is toxic to your pup’s health. Besides the pit containing a poisonous ingredient, the pit will also cause an intestinal blockage in your dog’s digestive tract. Once that pit becomes lodged in the digestive tract, your dog will require surgery to remove the pit.
Can Dogs Eat Avocado Skin?
Your dog should not eat avocado skin. Avocado flesh also contains the toxin persin, which will harm your dog. It is safe for your pup to consume a bite of the skin, but not the entire skin of one avocado. Persin is primarily present in the skin and pit of the avocado fruit.
Can Dogs Eat Avocado Toast?
You should not feed your dog avocado toast, as it likely contains a large portion of avocado. In addition, your dog might have sensitivities to grains, which can make the avocado toast even more harmful to your pup. Bread contains no nutritional value and is loaded with carbohydrates, leading to weight gain.
Can Dogs Eat Guacamole?
Dogs can eat guacamole in moderation. For most dogs, a spoonful of guacamole is a treat and considered safe. However, you must remember that guacamole contains any onion or garlic powder.
Garlic and onion powder are very toxic to your dog’s health and can poison them. Your dog can develop canine hemolytic anemia, an immune system disease that destroys red blood cells.
What Should I Do If My Dog Ate Too Many Avocados?
If your dog ate too many avocados, you should contact the vet immediately. One whole avocado is considered too much for one dog to handle due to persin. It is regarded as a medical emergency if your dog consumes multiple avocados.
Your pup’s vet will need to check your dog for avocado poisoning, possibly start an IV with fluids, and may even induce vomiting. If your dog consumes a pit, your pup will need intestinal surgery.
Can Puppies Have Avocados?
The same rules apply to puppies that apply to adult dogs. As long as your puppy only consumes a small amount of avocado, your pup will be safe. If your puppy consumes too much avocado, it can be dangerous to its health, mainly because your dog is so tiny.
Can Dogs Use Avocado Shampoo?
Yes, dogs can undoubtedly use avocado shampoo. However, it is essential only to use avocado shampoo meant for dogs. The avocado shampoo does not contain any toxins harmful to your dog. Since your pup is not ingesting shampoo, it is safe for you to give your dog a bath using avocado shampoo.
Conclusion: Can dogs eat avocados?
While you should now feed your dog an entire avocado, your dog can still enjoy avocado in moderation. If your dog has eaten some of an avocado plant, eaten too much of the fruit, or swallowed the pit, you should contact your pup’s vet right away to ensure your pup gets proper medical care.
In the right context avocado can be a safe dog food as well as one of the most popular human foods. It’s even used an ingredient in dog foods.
