Can Dogs Eat Avocado? 6 Tips for Feeding Avocado to Dogs

In general, small amounts of avocado flesh is fine for dogs. While proper dog food should take care of all the nutritional needs of your dog’s diet, a small amount of avocado now and then is perfectly fine for your dog. This fruit makes up some of the ingredient additives found in puppy treats because of its health benefits.

Feeding avocados to dogs is safe as long as owners avoid large amounts and only offer the avocado fruit; other parts of the avocado are more dangerous. For example, the avocado skin or tree contains high levels of persin, a toxic agent, and the avocado pit can be a choking hazard. The avocado flesh has low levels of persin.

The nutritional benefits of avocados can benefit your furry friend. Avocados are rich in antioxidants along with vitamins A, B6, C, E, and K, which together can help maintain strong bones, teeth, and eyes. They also have fatty acids, potassium, niacin, and folate, all of which can enhance and strengthen your dog’s fur.

If you want to create an avocado meal for your dog, consider the following tips:

1. 1. Only feed your dog the avocado flesh. The avocado plant and skin are toxic to dogs; only use the fleshy, green part inside the fruit.
2. 2. Mash up the avocado. A mashed avocado will be easier for your dog to eat. Serve this snack on its own or on top of your dog’s food.
3. 3. Serve it plain. Though dogs can eat small concentrations of avocado, they cannot eat avocado toast or guacamole. Some of the ingredients in these spreads, like tomatoes, garlic, and onions, are harmful to dogs and lead to gastrointestinal upsets.
4. 4. Throw out the pit. For dogs, the pit is a hazardous part of an avocado. Your pet may mistake it for a playtime ball—if put in your dog's mouth, the pit can lead to throat blockage and choking. Throw out the pit before serving your dog any avocado.
5. 5. Feed your dog avocado in small doses. Avocados have high fat content, so large amounts of avocado can lead to weight gain, pancreatitis, and obesity. Offer this snack up in small quantities.
6. 6. Monitor for side effects. Only give a little bit of avocado as a well-deserved treat now and then, and be sure to see if it causes your dog any digestive issues or an upset stomach. Avocado is safe for all dog breeds, but you’ll want to monitor your pet when introducing this food.

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

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