Why can t dogs have avocado

Your heart sinks as you realize what has happened. You were slicing an avocado for your Cobb salad, and your black Labrador Retriever scarfed up a slice that slid off the cutting board.

Índice Show

Is It Okay If My Dog Eats Avocado?
Avocado Pit
Avocado Leaves, Bark and Skin
Avocado Pulp
Benefits of Avocado for Dogs
What If My Dog Eats Avocado
Can dogs eat avocado?
What happens if my dog eats avocado?
What about dog foods that contain avocado?

You panic. My dog just ate avocado. Are avocados poisonous to dogs? Should you take him right to the emergency clinic?

Relax and take a deep breath. It is likely that your pup will be just fine.

Is It Okay If My Dog Eats Avocado?

Avocado pulp is not toxic to dogs, but other parts of the avocado can be harmful to your dog.

Avocado Pit

There IS a danger when you mix avocados and dogs, but it isn’t with the skin or the meat; it is actually with the pit! The pit of an avocado doesn’t digest particularly well in a dog’s intestinal tract and might cause a gastric or an intestinal blockage.

Once a dog eats an avocado—if the dog’s system is not able to process the pit—it will become stuck partway through the intestinal tract. If this happens, the only treatment is to go in and surgically remove it—just as if it was a rock, rubber ball or any other indigestible object.

Avocado Leaves, Bark and Skin

The one known poison in avocados is something called “persin.”

Persin is a natural antifungal compound that can be produced within the avocado plant. The levels of persin vary between the different types of avocados other external factors. It is present in the leaves, skin, seeds and fruit of the avocado.

Dogs and cats do not appear to be sensitive to this poison, although other animals certainly are.

Ingestion of large amounts of persin might indeed bother a dog’s stomach, but this would require eating a lot of leaves, bark or avocado peels. Although dogs are silly enough to eat the pits, not many dogs will sit down to graze on a meal of avocado leaves!

Avocado Pulp

Despite the fact that there isn’t a known toxicity for dogs, we do know that sensitive dogs can develop pancreatitis, even if they only eat a small amount of avocado pulp.

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the digestive organ called the pancreas. In some cases, this condition can even be fatal. So as a rule, I actually do not recommend feeding avocados to dogs.

If your dog eats the pulp of an avocado, it’s always a good idea to watch them for 24-48 hours, and report any vomiting, diarrhea or signs of abdominal discomfort to your veterinarian.

Featured Image: iStock.com/guvendemir

Maybe. Peeled and pitted, avocados are fine for dogs to eat and may even provide some health benefits, but they must be served in moderation and prepared with care.

First a note about persin. Avocado trees contain a fungicidal toxin called persin. This toxin is more concentrated in the leaves, pit and skin of an avocado, but there are low levels contained in the flesh as well. Depending on which parts and how much is consumed, avocados can cause an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea and myocardial damage.

Additionally, as they are dense in calories and with a high fat content, consuming the flesh of avocado in large quantities has the potential to lead to GI upset and pancreatitis and also to weight gain. Another concern is the stone at the center of the fruit, which may cause choking and intestinal blockages.

Even though the pulp or flesh of avocado is fairly safe for dogs, keep in mind that it can be toxic or harmful for other animals in or around your house. According to the ASPCA, avocado can be toxic to horses, birds, goats and rabbits.

Benefits of Avocado for Dogs

While there are some health benefits to avocados—including vitamins, fatty acids and antioxidants—these benefits can be obtained by feeding other foods that are lower in fat and do not contain the risk of inducing pancreatitis. If you want to give the benefits of avocado to your dog, look for vet-approved prepared foods containing this fruit.

What If My Dog Eats Avocado

Things happen, and despite your best efforts, your dog might get hold of this fruit. Here is what you need to know about how to respond for consumption of each part of an avocado.

Flesh: Since avocado flesh is mildly toxic to dogs, a slice of peeled avocado is unlikely to make your dog sick, says Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP, but consumed in larger quantities or avocados eaten whole (stolen from your counter or gathered dropped from an avocado tree), it can be a concern. If you dog does eat avocado in any amount, keep an eye on them for 24-48 hours after eating avocado flesh, and report any vomiting, diarrhea or decreased appetite to your veterinarian.

Skin: Not only does the skin have a larger concentration of the toxin persin and therefore poses a greater risk of vomiting or diarrhea even if eaten in smaller amounts, this outer layer is tough and difficult to digest. If your dog manages to eat the skin of an avocado, watch for symptoms and consult your vet immediately.

Pit: The pit of an avocado doesn’t digest particularly well in a dog’s intestinal tract and might cause a gastric or an intestinal blockage. Once a dog eats an avocado pit—if the dog’s system is not able to process it—the pit will become stuck partway through the intestinal tract. Always contact your vet for recommendations soon after the pit is ingested. If you notice your dog is vomiting, straining to poop, in pain or acting lethargic, have them examined by a veterinarian right away.

If you’re wondering if your dog can join you in snacking on the nation’s favourite superfood, keep reading. Find out if avocado is good for dogs and more in our guide.

Can dogs eat avocado?

This is a bit of a tricky question, but the answer is that it’s best not to feed your dog avocado. We suggest erring on the side of caution because avocados contain Persin, a fungicidal toxin. It’s known to result in serious health issues and, in extreme cases, death in larger animals such as cows and horses. Dogs are more resistant to Persin than other animals, but it can still cause health issues when given in large amounts.

Persin is mostly located in the leaves and bark of the avocado plant and in the pits and skin of the fruit, but it is also found in the flesh of the avocado in a less concentrated amount. With this in mind, all parts of an avocado can potentially be hazardous. The Persin content is also higher in un-ripened fruit.

While Persin toxicity is unlikely in dogs, it’s still best to avoid the risk. And since avocado can also cause other issues such as stomach upsets, we suggest avoiding avocados entirely and offering your dog safer fruits that don’t come with these health risks.

What happens if my dog eats avocado?

Small amounts of avocado flesh are unlikely to cause problems. As regards toxicity, the flesh is the part that contains the lowest levels of Persin. However, larger amounts of avocado are riskier, and there is one published report of two dogs developing heart failure after eating a lot of avocados over a long period.

If your dog does eat a large amount of avocado at once, it is more likely that they will develop vomiting or diarrhoea, as avocados are high in fat which can potentially cause a stomach upset. High-fat foods can also lead to pancreatitis in dogs, a very serious condition.

Another concern is that the pit or stone of an avocado can be a choking hazard or potentially cause an obstruction in the gut, so ensure your dog can’t get their paws on this. If you grow avocado plants in your home or garden, make sure they’re out of paws’ reach.

If your dog has eaten some avocado, keep an eye on them for any symptoms or changes. If you spot anything concerning, take your dog to the vet.

What about dog foods that contain avocado?

The only occasion where avocado is good for dogs is when it’s in a complete and balanced commercial dog food. These products will usually contain avocado oil or avocado meal, which is where the flesh is dried and ground. Neither of these ingredients contain a significant amount of Persin, and they are completely safe for your dog to eat at the levels used in the dog food. In fact, these avocado products can actually be a good source of vitamins A, B6, C and E, as well as fibre, which is excellent for digestive health, and fatty acids, which are important for coat and skin condition.

Now you know the answer to “can dogs have avocado?”, and although your dog can’t enjoy a dip of guacamole or a slice of your avocado on toast, there are still loads of safe human foods your pup can enjoy! Check out our useful daily feeding guides for more information.

Find out how other food may effect your dogs diet. Why not find out if your dog can eat cheese, or whether tomatoes are good for your dog.