Can dogs eat avocado

Last Updated on October 2, 2022 by Editorial Team

Avocado is a fruit known for its many benefits to humans. The fruit helps lower blood pressure, fight bad cholesterol, and is an ally for their heart’s health.

It is also rich in vitamins such as the B, K, and C complex, and potassium and copper. It is a nutritional source, so many want to include this fruit in their baby pet’s diet, as it is an excellent ally for humans’ health.

However, unlike humans, dogs cannot enjoy all these benefits. After all, avocado is one of those toxic dog foods.

It may even seem like a lie that a seemingly harmless fruit can do any harm to your four-legged friend. But, because of a substance called persin, avocado can be very dangerous for your pet’s health.

Can dogs eat avocado? They better not

Persin is present in every part of this fruit – peel, pit, and pulp – and has a fungicidal action, meaning it can cause intoxication in dogs. The greater the amount ingested by the pet, the greater the health risks.

Some dogs are more resistant to persin, and small amounts of avocados may not cause any harm, but why risk the well-being of those we love, given that several other fruit options can nourish our pets, right?

But I have seen avocado among some pet food ingredients!?

Some pet parents of more attentive and can remember seeing avocados among the ingredients of some food they bought for their fur babies, such as dry food or snacks.

If it is your case, don’t worry! In these cases, the food maker is probably using only avocado oil or fruit flour, that is, nothing that will compromise the nutrition or health of your furry baby.

Remember that before offering any fruit or new food to your dog, it is necessary to talk to your veterinarian. Also, understand that what is good for us often can be a real danger for our four-legged babies.

Dangers of offering avocados to dogs

Anyone who is a fan of healthy eating includes avocados in their diet. This delicious fruit contains many nutrients and is highly recommended for a healthier lifestyle. However, dogs should not eat avocados for a few reasons:

Persin

Persin is a substance present in avocados. It is not only found in the fruit but also in the leaves and bark of the avocado tree. Its presence does not harm human health; however, this substance is toxic for dogs and other animals and can even be fatal.

The main effects of persin consumption by pets are gastrointestinal problems. Therefore, the dog may have episodes of vomiting and diarrhea.

Pit

Avocado has a large, hard pit. Our furry friends are greedy and often bite off more than they can swallow. Thus, the pit is a choking hazard for dogs;

Nutritional value

This fruit is really full of vitamins, with some of them being great for pets. So, many people think that dogs can eat avocados. However, it is considered a high-calorie food for animals. In addition, avocado has a lot of fat that, even though it is good, can disrupt the dog’s digestive system; It can even cause pancreatitis.

Leaves, twigs, and bark

Persin is not only found inside the avocado. The avocado tree bark also has this toxic substance. In addition, the leaves and branches of the avocado tree also contain persin. So, if you have a tree at home, experts recommend keeping the dog away, preferably by a fence.

What to do if my dog eats avocados?

If your dog eats an avocado, don’t lose your temper!

You should first observe your dog for the following 48 hours; if he has any symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, visit your veterinarian without delay. Professional help is the best way to avoid a more severe issue.

Some dogs may also not show any symptoms. After all, this is maybe because the dog is resistant to persin.

Symptoms of an intoxicated dog are:

Gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, or bloating;
It can trigger the accumulation of fluid in tissues and organs such as the lungs and heart or in areas such as the chest or abdomen, which can cause them to have altered and uncomfortable breathing (dyspnea) or to be unable to breathe;
Pancreatitis;
Lethargy/apathy;
Anorexia.

Even if your dog doesn’t react to the consumption of this fruit, the ideal would be to avoid feeding them avocados since they can end up intoxicated by the substance at some point.

Other toxic foods

In addition to avocado, other foods can also be toxic to dogs. So, before deciding to include foods in your pet’s diet, it’s essential to be aware of your choices, so you don’t add some harmful options.

Looking for a professional to develop your pet’s diet is the best way to ensure that they get all the necessary nutrients without running the risk of consuming dangerous food.

If you plan to start including foods in your dog’s diet, check out this list of “forbidden” foods for your dog.

Chocolate – This is already known to many, but it is always worth pointing out that your pet cannot consume chocolate. In addition to caffeine, chocolate also has a substance called theobromine, which is toxic to dogs, as can be seen in the study: Chocolate poisoning in dogs;
Garlic and onion – Consumed in large quantities or in small amounts but very often; this famous duo can be dangerous for your dog. They both contain a substance called thiosulfate, which is toxic for your fur babies;
Caffeine – Consumption of caffeine is hazardous for dogs. Caffeine acts directly on the dog’s nervous system, causing tremors, convulsions and can even lead to the animal’s death;
Green tomato – Green tomatoes are highly toxic to dogs, as when they are still green, tomatoes contain an alkaloid toxin tomatine.

Although dogs like avocados a lot, they are a high-risk food. Therefore, go for safer and healthier snacks, which your pet can enjoy fully. When in doubt, always check with your vet!

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