Can Dogs Eat Avocado?
Photo by Chewy
Avocados are a versatile fruit, but can dogs eat avocado too? They sure can—but only when served plain, peeled, pitted, and in moderation.
Here’s what to know about dogs and avocados.
Before introducing any new food into your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian.
Key Takeaways
- Dogs can eat small amounts of peeled, pitted avocado flesh, but only in moderation.
- Avocado provides nutrients like vitamins C, E, K, and B6, plus healthy fats and antioxidants, but other foods offer similar benefits with less fat.
- Avoid avocado skin, pits, and leaves, which contain higher concentrations of persin, a toxin that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or intestinal blockages.
- Too much avocado can cause stomach upset or pancreatitis, so serve small amounts, and never feed your dog guacamole or seasoned avocado products.
Can Dogs Have Avocado?
Peeled and pitted, avocados are safe for dogs to eat and may even provide some health benefits, but they must be served in moderation and prepared with care.
Are Avocados Good for Dogs?
While there are some health benefits to avocados—including vitamins (C, E, K, and B6), omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants—these benefits can also be obtained by offering other foods that are lower in fat and do not contain the risk of inducing pancreatitis.
Are Avocados Bad for Dogs?
The downsides of dogs eating avocado include:
It Can Cause Upset Stomach
While avocado flesh is considered nontoxic to dogs—and eating a slice of peeled avocado is unlikely to make your dog sick, according to Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP, a veterinarian in Bangor, Maine—it can make your dog sick when eaten in larger quantities or whole. That’s because the flesh of avocados is dense in calories and has high fat content, so the fruit can cause (gastrointestinal) GI upset, pancreatitis, and weight gain.
If your dog does eat avocado in any amount, keep an eye on them for 24–48 hours after eating avocado flesh and report any vomiting, diarrhea, or decreased appetite to your veterinarian.
The Skin Contains Persin, a Toxin
The skin has a larger concentration of the toxin persin than avocado flesh, therefore posing a greater risk of vomiting or diarrhea even if eaten in smaller amounts. But this outer layer is also tough and difficult to digest.
If your dog manages to eat the skin of an avocado, watch for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, low appetite, decreased energy, coughing or trouble breathing, or blue coloring of the gums. Consult your vet immediately if your dog starts to show any of these signs.
The Pit Can Cause Choking and Intestinal Blockage
The pit of an avocado doesn’t digest particularly well in a dog’s intestinal tract and might cause a gastric or an intestinal blockage. If you notice your dog is vomiting, straining to poop, in pain, or acting lethargic, take them to a veterinarian right away.
How Much Avocado Can I Give My Dog?
Treats, including avocado, should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet, with the rest coming from a complete and well-balanced dog food.
That said, start small, limit the treat to no more than 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of your dog’s weight and watch for any side effects.
A safer option is to opt for store-bought dog treats containing avocado, like:
Recommended Products
FAQs About Dogs and Avocado
Is avocado poisonous to dogs?
Avocado peel, leaves, and pits contain concentrated amounts of persin, a fungicidal toxin with the potential to cause serious health problems. These should never be served to your dog.
The pulp or flesh of an avocado has less persin and small amounts are typically considered safe for dogs.
Consult with your vet before offering any amount of avocado to your canine.
Can dogs eat avocado pit?
No, dogs should not eat the pit of an avocado. Aside from being a choking hazard and potentially causing intestinal obstructions, avocado pits also contain a more concentrated amount of persin than the fruit’s flesh.
Can dogs eat guacamole?
No, it’s not recommended that dogs eat guacamole. Aside from the potential of illness from toxins in avocados and fats from large amounts of avocado pulp, guacamole typically contains added ingredients that are not safe for your pup, such as salt, onions, and garlic.
Can dogs eat avocado peel?
No, dogs should never consume avocado peel, which has a higher concentration of persin and if eaten by accident can be very difficult for your pup to digest.
Can dogs eat avocado oil?
Yes, dogs can eat avocado oil because it does not contain the toxin persin. However, the oil is high in fat, so it’s best to avoid, especially in dogs susceptible to pancreatitis.
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