Can Dogs Eat Avocado? Just a Little, but Hold the Guac.

You love a good avocado toast. Or, perhaps you enjoy dipping chips in guacamole or eating it on its own. No matter how you consume this delicious fruit, you’re curious about whether or not you can give it to your dog. Can dogs eat avocados? Are there benefits of avocados, or should you avoid feeding them to your dog altogether?

Before giving your dog any kind of avocado, make sure you learn if they’re actually good for him.

Is It OK to Give Your Dog an Avocado?   

Pet parents may have found information about how avocados contain some toxicity and might not be good for their dogs. While this is partly true, it is also fine to give your dog a small amount of avocado.

When deciding if you want to feed avocado to your dog, just make sure you clear it with your vet first. Then, you can determine exactly how much to give your dog according to his weight as well as why it may be good for him.

The Benefits of Avocados for Dogs

In general, the avocado fruit does have some health benefits (as long as your eat eats it in moderation). It provides healthy fats, which is a necessary part of a dog’s diet.

Avocados are also a good source of:

• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B3 (niacin)
• fiber
• magnesium
• potassium
• folate
• amino acids
• antioxidants

Some of these will help your dog maintain a healthy coat and fur, while others help his eyesight and bone health.

The Risks of Avocados for Dogs: Pits & Persin

Avocados contain persin, which is a toxin that could potentially lead to death if your dog eats a large amount of avocados. However, dogs are mostly resistant to persin.

The most amount of persin is found in certain parts of the avocado including the pit, leaves, and avocado flesh/skin, so definitely avoid feeding those to your dog. Also, make sure you keep your dog away from your avocado plant or avocado tree since he’ll be more likely to ingest higher amounts of persin.

The pit is a dangerous part of an avocado because it could be a choking hazard. It could get caught in his throat and block his airway or become lodged in his intestinal tract and cause a blockage. 

Additionally, a large amount of avocados is not good for your pup because he shouldn’t eat that much fat. High-fat content could end up causing weight gain and a host of dangerous health issues for him like pancreatitis.

The Signs of Persin Toxicity 

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

·      Extreme lethargy

·      Swelling

·      Gastrointestinal upset

·      Vomiting

·      Diarrhea

·      Trouble breathing

You should take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible if you notice any of these symptoms. Your dog may have to get a urinalysis and blood work done and might need to take IV fluids and an anti-nausea injection for upset stomach.  

For immediate care, dog owners should call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680.

What Happens If Your Dog Swallows an Avocado Pit?

If your pooch swallows a pit and it becomes lodged in his upper GI tract, the vet will need to find the pit and remove it using an endoscope. If the pit is lower down in your dog, then your vet will need to perform abdominal surgery.

Keeping Avocado Away From Your Dog 

If you are scared of your dog eating avocados or getting ahold of a pit, make sure you keep them in a safe place out of his reach, such as on a counter, in a closed cabinet, or in the refrigerator.

If you have little children at home who tend to feed their food to your dog, then make sure you supervise them when they eat avocado – or avoid feeding it to them altogether until they’re older.

If your canine friend can get into the trash and might access the avocado skin and pits, make sure you lock the trash up or move it somewhere he cannot access it.  

Is Guacamole Safe for Dogs?

Can dogs eat guac? While an avocado meal made up of only a small amount of the avocado fruit itself should be OK, dogs shouldn’t eat any amount of guacamole.

Onion and garlic, which are toxic to dogs, are in guacamole recipes. They can cause kidney failure as well as organ damage. Additionally, dogs should not eat large quantities of salty food. 

If your dog ate guacamole, contact your DVM.

Can Dogs Eat Avocado Oil? 

If you’re thinking of feeding avocado oil to your pup by putting it into his dog food, they can only eat a small amount of it. This is because it is very high in fat. If you’re looking for an alternative, then try fish oil for dogs for healthy fatty acids. Ask your vet how much to give your dog.

What Fruits Are Safe for Dogs to Eat?

If you want to feed your dog human foods, you’re in luck, because dogs can eat a number of different fruits, including:

·     Apples (not the seeds or core)

·     Blueberries

·     Strawberries

·     Pineapples

·     Mangos (no pit)

·     Melons

·     Cantaloupe

·     Peaches (no pit)

·     Pears

·     Plums

·     Nectarines

·     Bananas

·     Blackberries

·     Raspberries

Remember to serve these things in moderation, like you would with any human food. And if your dog is exhibiting symptoms of sickness or an allergic reaction, cease feeding him the fruit and call your veterinarian immediately. Your dog may need to undergo a food allergy test.

Feeding Your Dog Healthy Treats

Let’s say that you want to give your dog some treats, but you just don’t want to risk it with avocado or other kinds of fruits. Instead, you can give him food that’s specially formulated for him.

Your dog will love Wholesome Pride apple slices, which are made with 100% real ingredients – they’re a natural treat comprised of dehydrated apples. Not only will your pup enjoy them, but also you can use them to train him.

Another option is Raw Freeze-Dried Salmon Dog Treats. These are a simple, healthy dog treat made with limited ingredients that are 100% natural, and they’re made of raw, freeze-dried salmon that’s wild-caught in Alaska. They have no artificial ingredients, fillers, or preservatives and are only four calories per treat.

Can Dogs Eat Avocado? The Bottom Line. 

While a very small amount of avocados should be fine, make sure you avoid the problematic areas of this fruit. Then, your dog will be healthy and get some of the essential healthy fats he needs. Just remember that less is more.