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Avocado is one of the healthiest superfoods consumed by humans. It is just full of benefits, and almost every human being loves it. But can dogs eat avocado? Is it as beneficial for your dogs as it is for you? Well, now it is time to find out. If you are also wondering about these questions, stick to the end of this article. Here I have shared every essential information that you must know about dogs and avocados.
Nutritional Value And Health Benefits Of Avocado
The nutritional value is one of the main reasons behind the popularity of avocado. Avocado’s central fruit portion contains healthy fatty acids and fats and lots of minerals and vitamins. Here are some of the nutrients that can be beneficial to your dog:
- Folate
- Fiber
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Amino Acids
- Antioxidants
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
Vitamins like A, B6, B3, C, and E are beneficial for eyesight, bone, and fur health. A few things such as niacin, potassium, fatty acids, and folate are crucial for keeping the fur healthy. These are the nutrient that helps in keeping your dog’s fur smooth and shiny.
So, now you know that avocado contains lots of nutrients, and most of them are beneficial for your dog’s health. But, wait, avocado is not entirely free from risk. There are a few things that can harm your dog, and you should be aware of that.
The Risks Of Feeding Avocado To Your Dog
The safest part of the avocado is its fleshy portion. But still, vets recommend that dogs should not eat avocado in a large amount. Also, avocado contains a few parts that can lead your dog to some severe health issues, including:
- Fat – Fat is one of the most notable benefits of avocado. But still, feeding too much fat can be a problematic thing for your dog. If the avocado is consumed in a considerable amount, it can cause a life-threatening pancreatitis problem just because of all those fats. So, keep in mind that you should not feed avocado in excess as it can cause severe problems.
- Persin – Persin is a toxic agent mainly found in the skin, leaves, stem, and seeds of an avocado plant and in other parts of the plants. Persin is the substance that is the reason for avocado’s bad rap. But it has turned out that the dogs are almost resistant to it. Persin will cause toxic effects to your dog only when consumed in a very large amount. If you keep your dog away from the avocado plant, it would be a great approach to keep your dog safe because the plants contain more high concentrations of persin in the plant’s leaves, stem, bark, and seeds. So, in case if you have an avocado tree in your garden, make sure that you don’t allow your dog to eat it. Make a habit of cleaning up the leaves, branches, and other pant parts that might fall on the ground.
- Pit – The Pit. It is the substance in avocado that is most harmful to the dog. It is also known as the avocado seed, which is significant in size and looks like a golf ball, and it is stated precisely in the middle of avocado. We usually separate it while mashing or slicing the fruit and drop it in the garbage, but remember, your dog may try to run after it. The pit contains persin, but that is not the main problem. The main risk is of choking it. It comes in a size that is perfect for getting stuck in the throat of a dog and blocking the airways. Even if it manages to pass the oesophagus, the pit will probably get stuck in the intestinal tract and lead to some extremely serious blockage. So, if you notice that your dog has eaten the pit, visit the nearest veterinary emergency ASAP.
Can Dogs Eat Avocado?
Finally, can dogs eat avocado or not? The simple and straight answer to this is yes. But make sure that you feed only a small amount of portion because it won’t harm your dog. Avocado can be very beneficial for dogs because of its nutrients such as fatty acids, healthy fats, anti-inflammatory, and lots of minerals and vitamins. Just keep in mind that you should never feed your dog lots of avocado at once. Also, make sure that your dog avoids the other portion of the plant and the pit.
What To Do If Your Has Eaten Lots Of Avocado?
If your dog eats avocado in a large amount, most probably, your dog will vomit or have diarrhoea. If you see that your dog is vomiting, give him a few little sips of the water and watch him closely to notice any further signs. He will probably just demand some rest and is expected to get normal very soon. If you notice that your dog is anxious and may be suffering from diarrhoea, leave him to relieve by himself and, as before, give him a few sips of water to rehydrate.
If the dog has choked the avocado seed or if vomiting/diarrhoea is persistent and getting more serious, in this case, you should immediately take your dog to the vet.
Can You Feed Your Dog Avocado Oil?
Yes, it is completely fine to feed avocado oil but in moderation. Omega 3 fatty acid and vitamin E are available in avocado oil, which reduces inflammation. But remember that avocado oil contains lots of fat, so you should make sure that your dog is consuming avocado oil in moderation.
Can Dogs Eat Guacamole?
After knowing about feeding avocado to your pup, you may also wonder whether it is okay to give guacamole to your dog? Guacamole might be very delicious for humans, but it is not a good choice for your pup. The reason is that guacamole has almost all those ingredients that can be harmful to your dog, which includes:
- Salt
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
- Onions
These foods have the potential to lead your dog to a severe upset stomach. Garlic and onions are some of the most threatening foods for your dog and can cause kidney failure and severe organ damage when a decent amount is ingested. So, guacamole is one of those human foods you should keep away from your sweet pup.
The Best Way to Feed Avocado To Your Dog
If you have decided to feed avocado to your dog, it is a must-serve it without any risk. Here are a few things that you should keep in mind:
- Always give your dog the fruit portion of the avocado. You should keep your dog away from the bark, stem, and stems of the plant.
- Thoroughly separate the skin of the avocado and remove the pit too so that the risk of choking on it can eliminate.
- Feed your dog plain avocado only. It would be best if you never allowed your pup to eat guacamole because it contains harmful ingredients, as mentioned above.
- Never feed avocado in a large amount. It would be best if you always kept the portions small. Feeding a lot of avocado at one can increase the risk of poisoning, and high-fat content can also be hazardous for your dog’s health.
When your dog is eating avocado, keep a close eye on him to ensure that your sweet pup is not facing any side effects. If you notice that your dog shows some bad reactions, visit your vet.
