Can I give avocado to my dog?
Avocado is a delicious fruit, full of benefits for humans, especially because of its “good” fats.
With dogs, there are divergent opinions.
Indeed, while some veterinarians believe that avocado is a toxic food, others say that a small amount can be beneficial to them.
In this article, we invite you to discover the potential dangers of avocado consumption by dogs, the symptoms of avocado poisoning and what to do if your dog has eaten avocado.
While you’re cooking, suddenly, your dog looks at you. You want to give them a little treat but wonder if they can eat the food you are holding in your hand.
With our vet-approved magnet, you’ll know the answer at a glance! Plus, you can quickly scan our QR code to access the full article with all the explanations.
The dangers of avocado for the dog
Before talking about the dangers of avocado, it is useful to know the different parts and characteristics of avocado. Avocado is composed of the pit, the skin and the pulp.
The pit and skin contain a toxin called persin.
This amino acid is dangerous for many animals, such as horses and birds, and toxic for dogs, but only in large quantities. It is this toxin that is responsible for symptoms of avocado poisoning in dogs.
If you want to please your pet, we therefore advise you to remove the pit and the skin of the avocado before offering one or two small slices of this fruit to your dog, even if it is recommended to ban this food from your pet's diet, including your dog's.
Indeed, the pulp is very beneficial to the dog, and in small quantities, intoxication is unlikely.
In addition, ingestion of the avocado pit can cause obstruction and choking, requiring emergency veterinary intervention.
Symptoms of avocado poisoning in dogs
In large quantities, avocado can cause the following symptoms:
- Digestive disorders: diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, lack of appetite, and in some cases abdominal swelling.
- Respiratory and cardiac disorders: tachycardia, increased respiratory rate and even respiratory distress.
- Inflammation of the mammary gland in lactating female dogs (mastitis).
- Pancreatitis in some cases.
The prognosis of avocado intoxication in dogs is confirmed as soon as cardiac and respiratory symptoms appear.
How much avocado not to exceed in dogs?
There is no toxic or lethal dose, i.e. the dose that presents a risk of intoxication, but it is agreed that the maximum amount of 30 grams per week should not be exceeded.
However, given the risks involved in eating this fruit, we recommend that you simply remove it from your pet's food.
My dog ate avocado: what can I do?
If your dog has eaten avocado and you suspect poisoning, don't wait any longer and contact a veterinarian immediately.
There is no specific treatment or antidote, but the veterinarian will establish a treatment that will maintain your dog's vital functions and help him recover quickly.
It is also important to know what part of the fruit your dog has ingested. Is it the whole fruit, the pit or just the pulp? The veterinarian will indeed react according to the part of the fruit ingested.
In short, giving your dog avocado carries a serious risk of intoxication even though some agree that a very small amount may be beneficial. We therefore advise you to simply remove this fruit from your pet's diet.
In addition, there are other alternatives and other fruits that can give your four-legged friend a good tasting experience, such as pineapple, banana or mango.
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