Avocado is a creamy or buttery fruit valued for its healthy fats, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals? Can dogs eat avocado or not?
Avocado, avocado pear, or alligator pear is the fruit (berry) of Persea americana or avocado plant native to south-central Mexico that belongs to the family Lauraceae
This fruit has a green to nearly dark color and a pear, egg, or spherical shape. You can eat as a fruit, in salads, corn tortillas, milkshakes, juices, dessert drinks, guacamole, or served with rice, soup, meats, chicken, and so on. You can also add it to your hamburgers or tortas, combine with eggs, and so on.
Can my dogs eat avocado?
Whether dogs can eat avocado raises a lot of controversies. Some say it is safe, while others don’t see the need to give your dogs avocado. We don’t have a yes or no answer. Instead, let’s look at the whole issue.
Persin and avocados
For starters, avocado has persin, an oil-soluble fungicidal toxin. This toxic fatty acid is found in large amounts in leaves, and bark, with the fruit’s skin, raw fruit, and seed, also have some.
However, the ripe flesh has a tiny amount (undetectable) persin, which may have leached into the pulp from seed or skin. The low amount of persin in the ripe pulp makes it safe for humans.
As you know, there are many varieties and cultivars of avocado such as A and B cultivars and spinks, Rey, Sharpless, Dickinson, royal, Queen challenge, and so on. Some varieties like cocktail are edible with the skin and are seedless, while others such as Hass can be cooked but for a short time. Others will be bitter if cooked.
The various varieties have different levels of persin, with the Guatemalan variety considered high in this toxin. In contrast, others like Persea americana var. drymifolia (Mexican variety) or Californian variety are safer, and the leaves serve as a spice.
What does persin do?
Persin is toxic to cattle (sheep, cows, and goats), birds, rabbits, mice, chicken, turkeys, fish, pigs, and horses. When they ingest leaves or bark of this fruit, they may develop various toxicity symptoms, which may vary from one animal to another.
For instance, horses get noninfectious mastitis, and at times colic and gastritis. Goats and cows end up with mastitis, while birds will suffer from increased heart rate, labored breathing, myocardial tissue damage, apathy, disordered plumage, or even death.
What about dogs?
While it may seem deadly to other animals, persin rarely affect dogs or even cats. If they consume avocado leaves, bark, seed, or skin, they will only suffer from a mild gastrointestinal upset, like diarrhea and vomiting, notes ASPCA.
However, much worry should be the avocado seed as it can block their esophagus or digestive tract if swallowed. Dogs are curious and may tend to eat it. Such as obstruction needs surgery and may have signs such as:
- Repetitive vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Reduced appetite
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Whining
- Labored breathing
If your dog ingests avocado seed, talk to your vet for further help or take him to an emergency clinic. The seed size, density, and the fact that dogs don’t grind their food (they gulp) put seeds a real risk. Also, it isn’t easy to digest.
Benefits and nutrition
Sometimes regarded as a superfood, avocado is full of wholesome goodness. It has vitamins A, C, E, K, pantothenic acid, B6, folate, riboflavin, and niacin.
Also, it has healthy fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats like omega-3 fatty acids), enzymes like lipase (for fat breakdown), dietary fiber, phytosterols and carotenoids that include zeaxanthin, lutein, and lycopene, and minerals like potassium, zinc, copper, manganese and so on
These nutrients will support bone health, circulatory and nervous system, eyesight, healthy skin, and coat. Isn’t the glossy coat something you want to see on your dog? No one wants to see their dog with flaky, itchy skin that has dandruff.
Additionally, vitamins C and E and carotenoids are good antioxidants that will neutralize free radicals that will otherwise damage cells and tissue or have a role in developing chronic illnesses like heart disease, cancer, and other diseases.
Besides antioxidants, phytonutrients in avocado have anti-inflammatory properties that help fight against inflammation that may happen with arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, etc. and reduce the risk of obesity and cancer, heart disease, diabetes, among other illnesses.
Finally, fiber will help digestion, help prevent diarrhea or constipation, weight loss, and a healthy gut, among many other benefits.
Feeding avocado to dogs
Fully ripe avocado meat without skin, pits, stem is safe for your dogs. No bark, stem, leaves either. Similarly, avocado oil and meal (dried and ground) in dog foods are safe as they have undetectable levels of persin and is extracted from ripe avocado meat only. The microscopic level, together with the fact that dogs are rarely affected with persin, make avocado safe.
However, it is not something you must feed to your pet. Therefore, you can keep the amount very low. Too much may cause diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach upsets.
Additionally, let your dog eat avocado as a treat or in moderation, like three times a week and not a meal replacement. A few slices are enough. Otherwise, they may end up consuming too many calories.
One hundred grams of avocado has 160 calories, and since dogs need between 25-30 calories per pound for weight maintenance with active ones requiring more. A 30-pound dog requires 300 calories, and treats can only be 10% or 30 calories. If the avocado is the only treat, they can have about 18 grams.
However, if you buy canine foods with avocado like AvoDerm Natural Dry & Wet Dog Food For Skin & Coat, you can feed them as a complete and balanced meal. AvoDerm notes that this food will boost a healthy coat and provide the various nutrients we have seen and ensure your pet has a lustrous coat and a healthy skin
When feeding avocado to your dog, remember to buy organically grown one since it doesn’t have any chemicals and doesn’t include any additives. Also, it must be fully ripe.
If your dog has never eaten avocado before, begin with a small amount as you watch how their tummies respond within 24-48 hours. It shouldn’t cause any diarrhea, any stomach upset, or vomiting.
Finally, ensure you invest in dog-proof garbage can like iTouchless 13 Gallon Pet-Proof Sensor Trash Can as it prevents dogs from opening the lid. It is not just for this fruit but also for controlling your dog from eating anything in your trash can. If you have avocado houseplant or grow it, ensure dogs don’t access it as they may eat it with skin and seed.
What to note
With all the praises heaped on this fruit, it is good to know some possible risks or issues that may arise, which include:
Pancreatitis
Since it is high in fats, it predisposes your dog to pancreatitis. It will affect dogs suffering from pancreatitis, a life-threatening condition that causes nausea, vomiting, lethargy, abdominal pain, reduced appetite, fever, and diarrhea.
Obesity
The high fats make avocado calorie intensive. A lot may cause obesity. Stick to the 10% rule for treats that requires all calories from treats that don’t go beyond 10% of total calorie intake.
Dental issues
Too much avocado may lead to dental problems like gingivitis and cavities since it gets stuck in the dog’s dental groove, especially the premolars and molars. However, this shouldn’t be an issue for dogs with good dental care routine.
Does it cause allergies
Shall avocado cause allergies to dogs? No. It is unlikely since it is not one of the common allergens. Common allergens are dairy products, beef, lamb, chicken, eggs, soy, gluten, and corn.
However, in rare cases, it may cause allergies. Look for signs such as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach upsets, skin problems, or chronic ear illness. Discontinue if it causes any of these symptoms and talks to your vet.
No to guacamole
While it may seem so popular, dogs shouldn’t eat guacamole since it has garlic, onions, and salt. Onions and garlic are toxic, while too much salt is unhealthy.