Do you love freshly made guacamole and smoothies with avocados? But what about your pup – can dogs eat avocado?
The truth is that there is no one definite short answer to this question.
While some experts claim that giving avocados to pups can have health benefits, others maintain that avocados can be toxic and dangerous for our four-legged friends.
The answer to the question of whether it is safe or good to feed dogs with some avocado is probably somewhere in the middle.
The reason for this ongoing debate is that these fruits contain persin, which can be toxic to some large animals such as cattle and to birds. Dogs like humans are less likely to be affected by persin.
Persin is predominant in unripened avocados. In those fruits which are fully ripe, this potentially dangerous compound is practically undetectable.
Just ensure that the avocado is ripe, and you peel the skin off and take out the pit. It should be safe to give your dog a piece or two of the fruit.
In other words, if you prepare the avocado properly, and your dog is not highly sensitive to avocado and persin, you can add this healthy fruit to your pet’s menu.
But make sure to consult with your vet before adding avocado or any other fruit or human food to your dog’s diet.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about giving dogs avocado.
Related: How much should I feed my dog? Factors to consider
How can the avocado be beneficial for the dog’s health?
The flesh of a ripe avocado can be healthy for pups. This fruit is an excellent natural source of vitamins A, C, B6, and E. It also contains healthy fatty acids, fiber, potassium, folate, niacin, and antioxidants.
All of these can help boost the immune system, improve the body and brain functions, and the health of the coat and skin of the dog. The fiber will help regulate the digestive system, and the antioxidants can fight off sicknesses, including cancer.
The good fat contained in a ripe avocado is good for lowering the bad cholesterol levels in the blood. But too much of it can cause pancreatitis in canines.
Also, if your dog is overweight or has another condition that requires a low-fat diet, then the avocado may not be the best choice for it. And if your pup has a sensitive stomach, then avocados may cause digestive upsets such as vomiting and diarrhea.
You should speak with your veterinarian first and start with very small quantities of avocado or any other new food when adding them to your pup’s food regimen.
In which cases can avocados be bad for dogs?
As mentioned earlier, unripened avocados contain persin, which is toxic to large cattle and birds. The level of persin in ripe avocados is barely detectable and is not likely to affect canines.
The main danger from feeding avocados to dogs comes from the large pit and the tough skin and stems of the fruit. These can be a choking hazard and can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages.
This is why dog parents should always remove the pit, skin, and stems and cut up the flesh of the avocado into manageable pieces or blend it before feeding it to their pups.
In some cases, the avocado may not be a good choice for dogs, which need to eat a low-fat diet.
Too much fat can lead to pancreatitis, so make sure you give avocado to your pup in moderation.
Last but not least, some dogs can be allergic to avocados. So, watch them closely for adverse effects such as hives, swelling, sneezing, coughing or difficulty breathing after feeding them avocado. If you notice a severe reaction, call your vet ASAP because anaphylaxis can be life-threatening.
Final verdict – should you give avocado to your dog?
Talk to your veterinarian or nutritionist before adding human food to the pup’s diet.
In case you are worried about the potential hazard of persin poisoning, then it is better to skip the avocado and choose another fruit or veggie which has similar essential nutrients and health benefits.
But if you are determined to add avocado to your dog’s menu, then make sure to choose a well-ripened fruit and one which has not been treated with herbicides, pesticides, or other chemicals.
Then remove the stems, peel the avocado, and take out the pit.
You can give the avocado to the pup as is, or you can mix it into the dog’s regular food. You can also freeze it and present it to the pup as a frozen treat in the summer.
In any case, make sure that the added treats for your dog comprise no more than 10% of their total daily recommended caloric intake.
Do you give avocados to your dog? We would love to hear your opinions on this!
Further Reading:
- Can Dogs Eat Avocado Oil?
- Can Dogs Eat Guacamole? Is Guacamole Bad for Dogs?