Can Dogs Eat Avocados?
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
UPDATED: Jan 8, 2024
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We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jan 8, 2024
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
On This Page
Most of us love avocados, not only because they taste great, but they are also super-healthy.
With all the nutrients, natural oil, the good saturated fat and great taste, avocados are in many of our refrigerators or in our fruit bowl getting ready to ripen.
When doling out avocado slices or cooking with it, your dog might want to sample some.
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Is Avocado Safe for Dogs?
The answer is no. Avocados are bad for dogs because they have a fungicidal toxin called persin which and cause serious health issues in dogs and many other animals.
Dogs are more resistant to persin than other animals, but it’s best for your dog to stay away from avocados to be on the safe side.
Why You Should NEVER Feed Your Dog Avocados
It isn’t really known why persin is very dangerous to dogs, but if consumed in large amounts, persin can cause diarrhea, vomiting and even pancreatitis due to the high fat content.
Persin is in the avocado itself, the leaves, pit and even some of the plant, so all of these parts of the avocado are potentially toxic to your dog.
The pit in the avocado can cause choking if you dog happens to find one and swallows it.
However, if your dog gets into the avocado without you realizing it and you need to take them to the vet, pet insurance will help with the cost of any treatment or medical bill that occurs during this visit.
Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance
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If you are growing avocado outside your home, make sure that your dog can’t get to the avocado tree or any part of it.
Some veterinarians say that a little of the avocado fruit itself is safe in small amounts and as long as the avocado is ripe.
Most dog owners, however, don’t want to even try avocados due to the potential danger it might cause. If your dog accidentally consumes a piece or two of avocado, he should be OK.
Common Symptoms If Your Dog Eats Avocado
If your dog eats too much avocado, he might experience the below symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Gastroenteritis
- Pancreatitis – In serious cases
- Choking – if they were to eat the seed
If any of the above occurs, it’s important to get your dog to the vet right away for treatment.
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Keeping Your Dogs Away From Avocados
If you or anyone in your home enjoys eating avocados, make sure to educate all members of your family to the dangers of feeding your dogs any avocado or any other human food that is unsafe.
If you put the pit in a trash can or any of the outer parts of the avocado, it’s best to empty the trash can immediately since the pits are so dangerous to dogs. And we know they love to scour the trash cans!
Safe Fruit Options For Dogs
While avocados are not a good idea to share with your dogs, the following fruits can be enjoyed by your pups (in small amounts):
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Oranges
- Strawberries
- Watermelon (no seeds)
Grapes and raisins are very toxic to dogs and should never be fed to dogs.
Having Pet Insurance Can Help If Your Dog Eats Avocado
Hopefully, your dog won’t ever get the point where he eats too much avocado that he needs emergency vet care (or the skin or core).
This can be a huge relief, particularly, if it’s an after-hours emergency care vet visit and the bill can be very costly.
Plans like Healthy Paws and Petplan can cover from 80 to 90% of all of the vet or medical bills for this or any other medical conditions that might occur.
It’s at times like these when your monthly premiums certainly offset the cost of vet bills!
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Final Thought on Avocados For Dogs
While there are some vets who think it is OK to feed avocado in small amounts in dogs, it is up to you to decide if it is worth the potential side effects.
Just like any other food, discuss it with your vet first to see his or her thoughts on how avocado might affect your dog.
And either way, everyone is in agreement that the skin and avocado pits can be very dangerous for your dog. So, make sure to watch for those if you do eat avocados at home.
If you would like more information on what your dog can or can’t eat, our ultimate safe food guide for dogs can help!
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The Ultimate Guide to Safe Foods for Dogs
Finding safe alternative foods for your dogs to eat can be tricky. We have a long list of articles about every food you could possibly consider feeding your dog. One thing we recommend is that you consider looking into pet insurance for your pet and you can start by checking out the best rates for dog and puppy insurance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Avocado Safe for Dogs?
No, avocados are not safe for dogs. They contain a fungicidal toxin called persin, which can cause serious health issues in dogs and many other animals. While dogs are more resistant to persin, it’s best to keep them away from avocados to be on the safe side.
Why Should You NEVER Feed Your Dog Avocados?
Avocados contain persin, a toxin that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and even pancreatitis in dogs due to the high fat content. The toxin is present in the avocado itself, leaves, pit, and some parts of the plant. The pit can also pose a choking hazard to dogs.
What are Common Symptoms If Your Dog Eats Avocado?
If a dog consumes too much avocado, common symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, and signs of pancreatitis. If any of these occur, it’s crucial to seek veterinary care immediately.
How to Keep Your Dogs Away From Avocados?
Educate all members of your household about the dangers of feeding dogs avocados or any other human food that is unsafe. Ensure that avocado pits and outer parts are disposed of properly, as they can be hazardous to dogs.
Are There Safe Fruit Options For Dogs?
While avocados are not recommended, some fruits are safe for dogs in small amounts. Examples include apples, blueberries, and watermelon. However, grapes and raisins should be avoided as they are toxic to dogs.
Can Pet Insurance Help If Your Dog Eats Avocado?
Yes, having pet insurance can be beneficial if your dog needs emergency vet care due to avocado consumption. Plans like Healthy Paws and Petplan can cover a significant portion of vet bills, providing financial relief during unexpected situations.
Final Thought on Avocados For Dogs
While some vets may consider small amounts of avocado safe for dogs, it’s essential to discuss it with your vet first. Avocado skin and pits can be dangerous, so caution is advised. Consider pet insurance to offset potential emergency vet care costs.
Where Can I Find More Information on Pet Insurance?
For more information on pet insurance, you can explore our site, which serves as a free online resource for those interested in learning about pet insurance. We provide unbiased reviews and updates regularly, ensuring you have valuable insights into pet insurance options.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.