Avocados are the trendiest and one of the healthiest fruits you can have in your daily routine. Its nutritional value has surpassed many common fruits and is still topping the list in various options like avocado salads, guacamole, desserts, etc. But the question is whether you can share your avocado with your four-legged friend too? and “Can Dogs Eat Avocado?”.

For the past many years, veterinarians and other professional pet caretakers have considered avocado to be unfit for canine friends. This is because of their toxicity and unhealthy fatty acids. So how to know if avocados are a safe choice for dogs? Well, we are here to help you out. Keep reading and by the time you finish it, you will be able to get all the answers you need. Also, read Can Dogs Eat Peaches?

can dogs eat avocado?

Can dogs eat avocado?- Is it safe for them? 

Avocados may have some serious and unhealthy complications but only when it’s fed in excess. Avocados when served in small quantities to dogs won’t have any harmful effects on them and they would enjoy it too. 

Benefits of feeding your dog with avocado:

Being knowledgeable about the things you are going to do always brings favorable and profitable results in the end. This is why you must know about the benefits of avocado in terms of nutritional value before you serve it to your dog. It will help you to be evident about the reason behind feeding it. 

Avocados contain many valuable vitamins, minerals, and healthy acids which makes the dog owners desperate to serve them to their dogs. 

Have a look into the nutritional benefits that a dog can get from avocado:

• Vitamins- A, B3(Niacin), B6, C, and E
• Fibers 
• Antioxidants 
• Amino Acids 
• Folates 

Various vitamins present in the avocado are helpful for a dog’s skin, coat, bone, and eyesight. On the other hand, fibers and amino acids serve them with good digestive health. Folate, magnesium, and potassium together help the dog to maintain a healthy coat of fur. 

Now that you have read the benefits of avocados, you must be thinking about how avocados can be unsafe and unhealthy for dogs. Yes, many dog owners encounter such concerns in the middle but the next few paragraphs will help you to find the answers for that. 

Risks of feeding your dog with avocado:

• Persin 

Avocados contain a toxic fatty acid derivative known as persin. This toxic acid is the prime reason why avocados have got such a bad rap. Persin though poisonous but it’s not as harmful to dogs as it is to other animals like birds, sheep, goats, etc. But that doesn’t mean it won’t trouble the dogs. Feeding your dogs with large quantities of avocado will make them more subjected to high concentrations of this lethal toxic acid. 

Persin is found in the fruit’s seed, leaves, branches, stem than the fruit itself. That is why feed your dog with small quantities of fruits, as it won’t harm much but prevent them from eating its branches, stems, and seeds as they are highly poisonous. 

• Pit 

Pit (seed of the avocado) can be very dangerous to your dogs, mainly because of its size and toxicity. The pit is a tiny round ball present in the middle of the avocado fruit. It contains the poisonous acid called persin which can be very lethal to your dog’s health. Apart from this acid, it can also turn out to be a choking hazard. It’s normal for dogs to run after everything they feel they can eat, and because of this, they may eat the pit and later may suffer as it can block the airway. It can also cause intestinal blockage even if it passes down through the food pipe. 

In short, pits are very dangerous because they can cause toxicity, indigestion, and blockage. Hence, the dogs should be well watched for this. 

• Fat 

Avocados contain some good fats but if you provide the fruit in excess, even the good fats can result in life-threatening health problems. Fats present in the avocado can cause pancreatitis if fed in abundance. It can disturb the normal functioning of the digestive organs, the symptoms of which can be vomiting, diarrhea, or upset stomach. Hence to lower the health risks, all you can do is to feed avocados in very small amounts.

• Peel 

The skin of the avocado contains persin too but more importantly, peels are dangerous because it is difficult to digest. It causes problems for the dogs in swallowing because of its thick layers and even if they manage to do it, they suffer from digestive system blows. The only way you can reduce the risks is by peeling the skin off and preventing the dog from eating it. 

What precautions can you take before feeding your dog with avocado?

The benefits and risks must have been pretty clear but if you really want to give it a try and feed your dog with avocado, then you must follow certain precautions. 

• Always remove the skin and pit before serving the avocado. And also, dump the peeled-off skins and pits into the dustbin to keep them out of the reach of your dog. 
• Feed them in small quantities. 
• It’s not advisable to feed them with old or stale avocados. 
• If you have an avocado tree in your backyard, then keep the dog away from that area and keep cleaning the area from its leaves or branches as they are highly toxic. 
• Educate your family members regarding the benefits and risks of feeding the dog with avocado. 
• Try to avoid eating the avocado near your dog. The more they are kept away from such toxic fruits, the more it will be beneficial for them.

Conclusion:

Now that you have learned all about avocado and its health history, it will be easy for you to decide whether to go for feeding your dogs with avocado or try some different options. It’s always recommended to have a decent knowledge of what you’re feeding your dog. Because dogs will stare at what you eat, hence hold your emotions and keep talking to the veterinarian to know whether the food you are planning to feed your dog would be fair and healthy or not. Hope this helps in answering the big question of “Can Dogs Eat Avocado?. Also, read Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?