Human Food For Dogs: Can Dogs Eat Avocado?
by Dr. Marty Pets Team | Jan 28, 2019 | 0 comments
Avocados are known as a human superfood – they’re packed with healthy fats, vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber.1 So, naturally, if there’s a super healthy food that you love, you want to share its benefits with your dog. But, can dogs eat avocado?
Many human foods are surprisingly toxic for pets, so this is always an important question to ask.
Let’s explore.
Can Dogs Eat Avocado?
You should always do plenty of research to find out whether any human foods are safe for your pet to eat. Some foods are actually quite toxic for dogs, including garlic, chocolate, and macadamia nuts.2 That’s why it’s essential you’re vigilant about what gets dropped on the floor around your pets.
So, can dogs eat avocado? Is this human food dangerous for dogs?
Well, it turns out the answer to this question isn’t as straightforward as you might think.
The Real Issue: The Seed
According to the Pet Poison Hotline, the large seed inside the avocado poses the greatest danger to dogs. As you can imagine, this is because it can get stuck in the esophagus, stomach, or even the intestinal tract.3
Any item that can create an obstruction issue is bad for dogs. So a pup rummaging around an avocado tree for a treat isn’t a good thing.
The Benefits of Avocados
All of this aside, some people love to serve their dog an occasional avocado treat (if it’s well tolerated). Why? Because of those same wonderful benefits that humans indulge in them for.
For starters, avocados are high in healthy, monounsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.8 And healthy fats are good for dogs (just as they are for their human pals). For example, they can help relieve a pup’s dry, itchy skin and dull coat.9
Interestingly, there are now some dog foods on the market that even include avocado as an ingredient.
The Bottom Line: Can Dogs Eat Avocado?
Turns out, if your dog eats a little avocado (free of pits, skin, and leaves), there’s likely no real obstruction issue and no reason to panic. Can dogs eat avocado? Some can. At worst, some dogs may end up with an upset stomach.
Other dogs will tolerate small amounts of avocado well, so they can enjoy an occasional slice. What’s most important, especially for your own piece of mind, is talking to your vet about your own pup. This way, you can make an informed decision about whether the avocado is safe for your dog.
If you do decide that your dog can have avocado, organic is always the preferred choice. Make sure the avocado is nice and ripe. Remove the pit, skin, and stems just as you would for yourself. And don’t add anything to the avocado (no guacamole). Serve the avocado slice plain or mix it in with your dog’s regular food.
If this is the first time your dog has tried avocado, start with a small amount. Watch closely to make sure your dog doesn’t have any stomach issues.10
And again, talk it through with your vet before serving your pup this treat.
Disclosure: The Dr Marty’s Pets team creates these articles as a way to provide you with the latest information on health and nutrition. Unfortunately, we cannot make specific product recommendations for our website visitors, such as “Dr Marty’s Nature’s Feast” or “Feline Prime” Please consult with your healthcare provider to determine the best products for you.
Sources
1.https://daa.asn.au/smart-eating-for-you/smart-eating-fast-facts/food-and-food-products/fast-facts-all-about-avocados/
2. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/human-foods-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/
3.https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/avocado/
4.https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets
5.https://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/food-hazards/avocado
6.https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/the-truth-about-avocado-for-dogs-and-cats
7.https://bluepearlvet.com/blog/unsafe-foods-for-dogs/
8.https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1843/2
9.https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_fats_and_oils_good_for_your_dogs_health
10. https://www.thelabradorsite.com/can-dogs-eat-avocado
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