Whether you’re looking to add avocado to your dog’s diet or just want to be sure that your dog isn’t overeating avocado, this article will tell you everything you need to know about the green fruit that dogs may love. Can dogs eat avocado? How many avocados can dogs eat? Are there any dangers of giving dogs avocado? Find out the answers here!
Read on to learn more about whether can dogs eat avocado and if your pet can benefit from this delicious fruit!
Can Dogs Eat Avocados?
Yes, but only in moderation. Most dogs love avocados and will gobble them up without a second thought, but if you’re not sure if your dog can eat avocado, then don’t give it. It is always better to be safe than sorry. While most dogs are good to go with avocados, some may have allergies or intolerances that make it dangerous to consume avocados or any other type of fruit.
What Happens When You Feed Dogs Avocado?
While dogs can eat avocados, there are some cautions to keep in mind. Avocados contain persin, a fatty acid that’s toxic to animals.
If ingested in large quantities, avocado may lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, and cardiac tissue damage. High-fat content in avocados can cause gastrointestinal upset and pancreatitis in dogs if they overeat. Being high in calories can also lead to weight gain. One danger with avocados is the seed or pit, often as large as the whole fruit, can potentially choke your dog.
Try preparing a small portion of avocado mixed in with their food, and then judge their response to determine whether they should be given any more.
Does Your Dog Like Avocado?
As humans, we tend to think dogs are just like us, but that isn’t always true. While dogs can eat avocado, use it with caution, and even if your dog has eaten a diet that includes avocado with no problems, you shouldn’t feel comfortable feeding your pup avocados regularly. Though avocado allergies are rare, take care while introducing new foods to prevent food allergies from developing.
Five Reasons Avocados Are Excellent for Dogs:
Although avocado is technically a fruit, we can use it as a vegetable in some recipes. Beyond being appetising, avocados make a tasty addition to dog food. Below are five of the many benefits of including hemp seeds in your dog’s diet:
1. Good for The Brain:
Avocados are high in healthy fats and monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid. These nutrients support canine brain function, especially in older dogs who may experience cognitive decline with age.
2. A Great Source of Vitamin E:
Vitamin E is crucial for maintaining powerful muscles and bones and keeps skin healthy by preventing free radical damage that can cause cancer or other serious health problems.
3. Excellent Source of Potassium:
Potassium plays a role in heart health by lowering blood pressure and reducing risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. It also helps maintain electrolyte balance, so your dog doesn’t develop muscle cramps or fatigue from strenuous exercise.
4. Contains Fibre:
Fibre isn’t just good for humans; it’s great for dogs too! It promotes digestive health by encouraging regular bowel movements and helping prevent constipation. A fibre-rich diet also helps control cholesterol levels and lowers overall caloric intake.
5. Helps Treat Diarrhoea:
If your dog suffers from diarrhoea, try feeding him mashed avocado mixed with his regular kibble. It will help add moisture back into his system while providing much-needed nutrients to aid recovery.
6. Other Benefits:
The potassium content in avocados makes them effective in treating heatstroke. Avocados also have antibacterial properties that make them useful for wound healing. If your dog gets sunburned, you can use pureed avocado to soothe irritated skin and facilitate healing time. And if he gets bit by a spider or another insect, rub raw slices of avocado over the affected area to relieve pain and swelling.
How Many Avocados Can a Dog Eat?
A single dog can’t eat that many avocados. To safely feed your dog avocado, start by using a small amount and pay close attention to how it reacts. If you see no adverse reactions after one day, slowly increase his portion over several days until he gets about a quarter of an avocado per week.
Can Dogs Eat Avocado Pit?
No, it’s toxic to dogs. Even in small amounts, avocados can cause stomach issues and diarrhoea in dogs. Make sure to take avocado pits out of your trash so that pets don’t eat them!
Can Dogs Eat Guacamole?
While avocados are commonly great for dogs to eat, guacamole is a different story. The guacamole contains onion and garlic, which can lead to a toxic reaction if consumed by your pup. That’s because onions and garlic have sulfoxides, causing haemolytic anaemia in dogs when ingested in large amounts. If you’re not sure how much avocado or guacamole your dog should eat, check with your vet first before feeding it to them.
Can Dogs Eat Avocado Peel?
Yes, but you must remove and discard any parts of the peel that are brown or discoloured. After all, some people have heard that dogs can eat avocado peel and may be tempted to let their pup try it. While there isn’t much research on whether avocados are toxic for dogs, experts recommend against letting your dog try any parts of an avocado besides the actual flesh inside.
Can Dogs Eat Avocado Oil?
Since we derive avocado oil from avocados, it’s safe to assume that dogs can eat avocado oil. The primary concern with feeding your dog avocado or its derivatives is that your pup might be allergic to one of its ingredients. If you consider your dog might react, refrain from feeding him any part of an avocado. He may need to avoid all fruits until you identify what causes his allergies.
Which Types of Avocados to Choose?
As you check out avocados at your local grocery store, you’ll notice that they come in several varieties. The most common avocados are Hass, Fuerte, and Bacon varieties. It’s best to stick with a California Hass avocado for dogs because it’s easier to find, usually fuller and less expensive than other varieties. If you can only find smaller or more expensive varieties, remember that a little goes a long way when adding avocado to your dog’s diet. You can also opt for organic avocados if possible. While organic doesn’t always mean better quality, there is no synthetic pesticide residue on them—and pesticides aren’t good for any living thing!
Will My Dog Digest an Avocado Like a Human Do?
While both humans and dogs have similar digestive systems, not all foods are safe for both species. Avocado is one of those foods. While it’s beneficial to human health, eating avocados can be harmful to your dog because avocados contain persin, a fatty acid which is toxic to dogs. The best way to avoid feeding your dog an avocado or foods containing avocado is to provide him with only pet food made by a reputable manufacturer. If you consider your dog has ingested some avocado, it’s necessary to contact your veterinarian immediately.
What Are the Risk Factors of Feeding an Avocado to Dogs?
Avocados aren’t bad for dogs. They contain healthy fats and other vitamins that can be helpful to your dog. But there are risks involved in feeding your pet avocado, mainly because it can cause an upset stomach or even trigger an allergic reaction.
1. Digestive Issues:
The significant risk of feeding avocado to your dog is that he cannot digest it, so his body will try to get rid of it. Ultimately, that can cause a blockage in his digestive tract, leading to some pretty considerable complications. Still, avocados are not toxic to dogs—as long as you don’t feed them too much at once.
2. Pancreatitis:
There is also a link between avocados and pancreatitis in dogs. This painful condition affects your dog’s pancreas, causing it to release enzymes into the bloodstream that can damage other organs. If you want to feed your pup an avocado or some guacamole from time to time, make sure you monitor them closely after eating it. If you notice any unusual symptoms like vomiting or diarrhoea, contact your vet immediately!
3. Obesity & Diabetes:
Avocado is a fruit, which means it contains sugar and fat. While these ingredients are fine in moderation for dogs, too much can lead to obesity and diabetes.
4. Vomiting & Diarrhoea:
Additionally, avocados contain persin—a toxin that can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. And because of their size, avocados may become lodged in a dog’s throat. If your dog ingests an avocado, watch closely for any signs of illness. If your pet shows any symptoms after eating an avocado (e.g., vomiting or diarrhoea), contact your veterinarian immediately.
If A Dog Eats Many Avocados at A Time
A large amount of avocado might cause a dog to develop pancreatitis, which is very serious and requires immediate veterinary care. The enzymes in avocados, when eaten in excessive amounts by dogs, can interfere with their normal metabolism and result in vomiting, diarrhoea and pain. Vomiting blood is also a symptom of pancreatitis. Your dog can eat too many avocados at once, revealing no signs of illness at the start.
If A Dog Eats an Avocado with Peel
Depending on how much avocado your dog consumed, he could have an awful stomach ache. The risk of vomiting, or having loose stools, is higher when he eats avocados with their peelings on. Of course, there’s also a possibility that your dog will suffer from something more severe than that. You should probably call your vet if she ate an avocado and shows signs of abdominal pain.
If Dogs Are Allergic to Avocados
Some people believe all dogs are allergic to avocados, but that’s not true. As with other foods, an allergic reaction to avocados is possible. But it’s far from a guarantee. If your dog seems fine when you offer him avocado, it’s probably safe to keep doing so. Contact your vet to ask whether your pet can safely eat avocados.
Poisoning of Avocado Fruit in Dogs
Although avocado is healthy for humans to eat, it can be toxic for dogs. Dogs who overeat avocados may develop symptoms of poisoning. Its leaves, bark and fruit are specifically dangerous for them. The concentration of a substance called persin in these parts of an avocado tree makes them toxic when eaten by animals. Persin affects a dog’s heart and nervous system, causing gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, diarrhoea and blood in their stool.
Poisoning symptoms specifically include vomiting, diarrhoea, and more alarming issues like lack of coordination, paralysis, and difficulty breathing.
If your dog has eaten an avocado and is showing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately! The sooner you catch and treat a case of avocado poisoning in dogs—the better!
Treatment of Avocado Poisoning
While avocado poisoning is not life-threatening for most dogs, it can cause severe stomach pain and bloody diarrhoea. To avoid complications, it’s essential to seek immediate veterinary care if you believe your dog has ingested an avocado. Treatment comprises inducing vomiting and administering charcoal to absorb any remaining toxins in your dog’s stomach. Stay attentive and hydrate your pet for up to 24 hours after consumption.
Avoid Feeding Avocados in This Condition
If you want to avoid a trip to the vet and save yourself some extra money, it’s best to know which health conditions are dangerous for dogs. These include diabetes, asthma or heart disease. If your dog has any of these disorders, feed him an avocado at your own risk. These three diseases cause a lot of stress on your pet’s body. Avocados can also worsen them.
Final Thoughts
Although avocado is healthy for humans, not much research has been done to see if they are appropriate for dogs. If you want to know if your dog can eat avocado, talk to your vet first. You can ask him how many times he thinks your dog should take them. He should be able to offer a good idea. As with any new food item, introduce avocado slowly so that his digestive system can adjust more easily.
Gift Recipes for Avocado Dog Treats
Once you have fresh ripe avocados on hand, it’s time to make some treats for your canine companion.
Feeding dogs food, specifically dog treats, is an excellent way to show love to them. We can also use these as training aids to encourage good behaviour and reward friendly dogs.
There are plenty of recipes containing avocado to make an even tastier snack. Dogs can be picky eaters, so it’s hard to know what they will like and what they won’t like, especially when you are trying to give them homemade treats.
Dogs’ eating preferences vary from dog to dog, but dogs enjoy sweet things, which makes avocados a perfect treat for dogs. Dogs also love soft foods, which makes avocados an ideal choice because avocados are relatively softer. Apart from that, avocado is also high in fat, which makes it perfect for dogs who need extra calories or have special dietary needs because most dogs need some extra fat in their diet.
You should always keep them in an airtight container when not in use to prevent spoilage and avoid letting them get too soft or sticky, as they may pose a choking hazard.
The following options all make delicious dog treats:
Avocado Dog Treat Recipe – I
Ingredients
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Brown Rice | 1 Cup |
| Eggs | 2 Ea |
| Chicken Broth | 1/2 Cup |
| Olive Oil | 1 Table Spoon |
| Fresh Lemon Juice | 2 Table Spoon |
| Garlic Powder | 1 Tea Spoon |
| Salt | 1/4 Tea Spoon |
| Fresh Spinach | 4 Cups (Finely Chopped) |
| Avocado (Pitted and Peeled) | 3 Ea |
| Whole Wheat Flour | 2 Cups |
| Water | 1/2 Cup |
Steps
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Lightly grease a baking sheet.
- Combine brown rice, eggs, chicken broth, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt in a large bowl.
- Stir in spinach.
- Blend avocados in a food processor or blender until smooth.
- Add to mixture along with flour and water; mix well until blended.
- Form into small balls about 1 inch wide.
- Place on a prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes, turning once halfway through.
- Cool slightly before serving to your dog!
- Store leftovers in a container with a tight seal in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Avocado Dog Treat Recipe – II
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Plain Yogurt | 1 Cup |
| Peanut Butter | 2 Table Spoon |
| Salt | 1 Pinch |
| Vanilla Extract | 1 Tea Spoon |
| Avocado (Pitted and Peeled) | 2 Ea |
| Whole Wheat Flour | 3 Cups |
| Water | 1/4 Cup |
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, mash together all ingredients until smooth.
- Add in enough additional water to make a dough that is firm but still moldable.
- Roll out dough in a floured place and cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters or other kitchen utensils.
- Place on an unlubricated baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool before serving to your dog, as they will burn their mouths if they eat them while they’re still hot!
- Repeat step 5-6 until you have utilised all of your dough.
- If you like, you can store any unused portions in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Avocado Dog Treat Recipe – III
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Honey | 4 Table Spoon |
| Lemon Juice | 1 Table Spoon |
| Salt | 1 Pinch |
| Avocado (Ripe) | 3 Ea |
| Sunflower Seed | 1/2 Cup |
| Finally Chopped Lemon Zest | 1 Ea |
Steps:
- Cut each avocado lengthwise around its pit and twist it apart.
- Scoop out the flesh with a spoon in a bowl.
- Mash until smooth using a fork or potato masher.
- Add in remaining ingredients and stir to combine thoroughly.
- Use immediately or store in a container with a tight seal in your refrigerator for up to two days.
- Serve as is or spread on toast.
- If you have leftovers, use them as a topping for pancakes or waffles!
Avocado Dog Treat Recipe – IV
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Plain Yogurt | 2 Cups |
| Vanilla Extract | 1 Table Spoon |
| Salt | 1 Pinch |
| Avocado (Ripe) | 3 Medium Sized |
| Stevia Extract or Sweetener | 10 – 15 Drops |
Steps:
- Peel and pit avocados.
- Mash together all ingredients until smooth in a large bowl.
- Serve as is or spread on toast.
- If you have leftovers, use them as a topping for pancakes or waffles!
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
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What health problems can occur by eating too much avocado dogs?
Nature has not designed your dog’s body to process fruits, particularly high-fat and nutritious ones like avocados. While a small amount of avocado won’t hurt your pup, too much can lead to stomach upset, allergic reactions and even pancreatitis sometimes. If you want to feed your dog avocados, talk with your vet first to make sure they’re safe for him.
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Signs that a dog has eaten too much avocado?
If you’re wondering whether your dog can eat avocados, it’s important to consider all of their body’s reactions to eating too much avocado. While there aren’t any dangerous side effects of giving dogs avocados, they do contain high levels of fat and calories, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in large quantities. Like some other foods on our list of pets that are toxic to dogs, avocados also pose a risk for oral irritation.
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What foods are toxic to dogs?
While all dogs can eat certain foods in moderation, some foods are toxic to dogs and must be avoided at all costs. Foods containing high levels of caffeine or fat can upset a dog’s stomach, causing vomiting or diarrhoea. Chocolate is also very toxic to most dogs and you should never give it as a treat. Similarly, onions are toxic for dogs and should not be fed to them under any circumstances. Honey can cause inflammation in a dog’s intestines and should only be used medicinally.
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Can dogs eat mashed avocado?
Yes, but only in small amounts. The flesh of avocado contains both soluble and insoluble fibre, which helps support bowel movements. It also contains B vitamins, potassium and vitamin E, which all help improve your dog’s skin and coat.
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Can a large dog pass an avocado pit?
All fruit pits, including avocado pits, contain a large seed that your dog may pass intact. It can lead to problems if it gets stuck in the digestive tract. If your dog has an avocado pit stuck in the throat or oesophagus, you will want to call a veterinarian right away—the sooner it’s removed, the better. Surgery may be necessary to remove it.
About the Author
Danish Shahzad
Danish Shahzad is a freelance writer, professional blogger, and lifelong animal lover. He is actively engaged in writing blogs and web articles on pets and dogs. He loves to write content about dogs, cats, and other pets on their health, nutrition, care as well as training.
