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Can dogs eat Avocado?

can dogs eat avocadoCaution

Overview

dog-food-safety-information

In small amounts, ripened avocados are safe for dogs to eat. However, unripped ones are dangerous for dogs. The avocado tree's bark, leaves, seeds, and fruit all contain persin. Ingesting this compound in large quantities can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and other adverse reactions in dogs.

Benefits

health-benefits
  • Avocado is a nutritious fruit with healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
  • Avocado is a low-cholesterol fruit high in vitamins A, B3, B6, C, E, and antioxidants, which can strengthen dogs' immune systems and protect against chronic diseases.
  • Avocados can also improve a dog's coat and skin condition. The fatty acids and vitamin E in avocados help to keep the coat lustrous and the skin healthy.
  • The potassium and magnesium found in avocado are heart-healthy minerals that help regulate blood pressure and heart rhythm.

Risks

health-risks
  • The Food and Drug Authority (FDA) categorized avocados as mildly toxic to dogs and cats but severely toxic and even deadly to other animals, such as birds, horses, rabbits, cattle, and sheep. This is because all parts of the avocado plant, including the flesh, contain persin, a fungicidal toxin that can cause myocardial damage and gastrointestinal issues in dogs when fed in large amounts. Most avocados for sale are not fully ripened, and higher concentrations of persin are found in unripe avocados.
  • The high-fat content of the avocado can lead to gastrointestinal upset and pancreatitis in dogs.
  • The avocado pit is a choking hazard to dogs.
health-risks-dog

Servings

serving-suggestions
  • Although your dog might be ok if he has had a small amount of ripped avocado flesh, no studies have been done on the safe amount of avocado to be given to dogs. The FDA does not recommend feeding avocados to dogs and other animals.

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