Welcome to “Can My Dog Eat That?,” our series that answers some obvious (and not-so-obvious) questions about what your dog can and can’t safely eat. Today we discuss what happens when a dog eats avocado. Read on!
Good for Humans, Good for Dogs?
For people, avocados are a superfood. Like eggs, they are a nutrient- and antioxidant-dense food. Avocados are arguably the best fruit for supplying your potassium, fiber and vitamin E. They’re such useful foodstuffs that there always seems to be a threat of either rising prices or outright shortages here in the United States. Avocado oil seems to trend regularly, and many houses have an avocado plant as a functional decoration.
So if eating avocado flesh has so many health benefits for humans, your dog should be able to benefit too, right?
Can Dogs Eat Avocado? It’s Not That Simple.
Well, yes and no. The actual avocado flesh, or meat (the green part of the avocado that goes in your guacamole), of the avocado is generally pretty safe and healthy, providing that your dog doesn’t eat too much of it. But avocado peel and pits contain persin, a substance that is poisonous to dogs. Since the peel and pit are typically discarded before prepping the meat, what is left can be safely consumed by most dogs. But too much persin from avocado flesh can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs, and there’s a small chance of worse problems, even death, if they ingest a LOT. And the green flesh can be an issue in bulk, because the high fat content that avocados are lauded for can cause pancreatitis.
So make sure the skin and pit are disposed of properly, where your dog can’t get them. Are avocados good for dogs? They can be, but there are too many drawbacks to risk it.
Choking Is A Danger When You Feed Your Dog Avocado
In addition to the dangers of persin poisoning, the avocado pit is a major choking hazard. It’s often the size of a ping-pong ball and can cause a complete blockage if it is ingested, especially by bigger, enthusiastically eating dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Guacamole?
All the reasons that a dog shouldn’t eat avocado apply to whether a dog can eat guacamole, but guacamole contains other problem ingredients as well. Many guacamole recipes contain doggy dangers like onion and garlic, which are even more dangerous than dogs eating avocado.
Can Dogs Eat Avocado Oil?
The drawbacks of avocado oil are also much the same as they are with avocado itself. Avocado oil is extremely high in fat, which can lead to pancreatitis in dogs. Any food that is high in fat — whether it’s solid, liquid or somewhere in between — should be fed to your dog in small amounts to avoid harmful impacts. Persin oil is colorless, so it might be found in avocado oil which is why avocado oil is best avoided by dogs.
Use Precaution When Dogs Eat Near Avocado Prep
So if you’re a fan of avocados, keep your dog in mind when prepping and disposing of them. Make sure that discarded peels, leaves and pits are thrown away where your dog can’t get to them. If you think that your dog may have ingested the peel or pit, be on the lookout for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or abdominal pain. If you suspect that they’ve eaten the peels, pit or leaves, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Reconsider Before Your Dog Eats Avocado
Can dogs eat avocado? Short answer is “no.” It’s far safer to keep the avocados, avocado toast, avocado pits and avocado pulp away from your dog, especially if your dog has a history of pancreatitis or sensitive stomach issues.
There are plenty of other ways to give them superfoods! When in doubt, stick to veterinarian-approved dog food, and if you suspect that your dog — or any pet — has eaten avocado or shows symptoms of persin poisoning, contact your vet immediately.
If you enjoyed this post about what your dog can or can’t eat, bookmark our Can My Dog Eat That? series, where you’ll find helpful info about whether your dog can eat so many things, like other breakfast foods like eggs, cheese and dozens of others.
The information in this blog has been developed with our veterinarian and is designed to help educate pet parents. If you have questions or concerns about your pet's health or nutrition, please talk with your veterinarian.
