Can dogs eat Avocado?
It’s a common question of many dog owners and if you are one of them, then you have come to the right place. Just keep on reading.
Avocado consists of an oil-soluble substance, known as persin and it shares a similarity in structure with that of the fatty acids.
Persin works as a toxin and can develop lasting health problems to small mammals like mice and rabbits. And now it comes to the question of dogs and the chance is better.
That means avocado fruit and its oil are safe for your dog for consumption.
The reason is that dogs can better break down persin into a fatty acid. Although, some people might develop an allergic reaction to this substance (persin) present in avocados, however, it is a rare occurrence for dogs to develop the same symptom.
However, you need to remember that segments of the avocado plant that mean its bark and leaves can be both toxic and fatal to dogs.
Moreover, the avocado seeds can pose dangerous effect of choking that will further obstruct many internal organs, such as the esophagus, stomach, and intestinal tract.
But the sigh of relief is that the aforementioned parts of an avocado fruit are left out parts of a grocery store as well as meals. That means the parts of an avocado, edible by human beings. would be safe for the pets as well.
But, the discussion hasn’t been finished here. Some more points are remaining to discuss. So, continue reading.
Points to remember while feeding your dog Avocado?
You need to do the following things when your dog eats avocado:
Checking the Label: Certain Guatemalan varieties of avocado fruit possess higher levels of toxicity, as compared to Californian avocados. That means you have to thoroughly read the label.
Keep the Avocado Pit Away: When it comes to good foods, dogs love to take challenges. But, as a dog owner, you have to be enough responsible.
The fact is that bulky avocado pits could pose potential damage to the internal part of your adorable dog.
And you don’t want it to happen, right?
That’s why it’s essential to ensure that avocado pits are not in the easy reach of your dog. Don’t forget to double check the same.
Don’t forget to share: Arrange a sit in front of a new movie and enjoy eating an avocado snack with your dog.
Another worth noting point is that persin in its high doses can develop various symptoms, such as stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Effects of Avocados in Dogs
Persin (substance) is toxic to most of the large cattle and birds and the noteworthy point is this particular substance is there is each and every part of the avocado. But the amazing fact is that rarely it is harmful to dogs.
The amount of persin in avocados is more in unripened fruit, however, once ripened, avocado fruit hosts low amounts of persin.
And so if you feed your dog the ripened avocados only, the chance of persin poisoning would be extremely low.
However, some of the dog owners are very much concerned about the health of their dog and that’s why they don’t prefer to feed avocados to their dogs.
The harmful effects for dogs that consume avocados are associated with its skin, pits, and stems. It is due to the fact that skins and stems are tough to digest and so as the pit and even if it ground up.
And consumption of such parts of this particular fruit can cause gastrointestinal blockage and also result in severe complications.
Moreover, its hard pit can pose a choking hazard and so it’s not safe to allow your dog to consume these parts of avocado.
Another worth-considering point is that in case you own an avocado tree on your property, always ensure your dog doesn’t get access to this particular fruit.
Even properly-prepared fruit can result in a gastrointestinal upset in some dogs and specifically when served in large quantities. Avocados are high in fat content and thus they are not a right choice for dogs with some specific medical conditions. And there will always be a chance for your dog to be allergic to avocados.
How are Avocados beneficial for your dogs?
Avocados are beautifully ripe and green fruit that contain various beneficial nutrients and it can provide your dog with a health boost.
And avocados are also used in certain dog food. This particular fruit is a storehouse of vitamins A, B6, C, and E and also fiber and they can support in digestive health.
Moreover, fatty acids are beneficial for the coat along with other compounds, such as potassium, antioxidants, niacin, and folate that might be helpful in fighting disease and even cancer.
Avocados consist of what that’s called good fat that might help in lowering cholesterol. But, extreme of anything even good things are not good. And dogs that consume a higher amount of fat can be affected with pancreatitis.
Some dogs can be suffering from medical conditions and so they have a requirement of low-fat diets. On the other hand, in some dogs, vomiting, gastrointestinal upset or diarrhea can be developed if they consume an excessive amount of avocado.
It is crucial to discuss the matter with an experienced veterinarian prior to serving avocados to your dog.
The Bottom Line
In a nutshell, you have to consult your veterinarian or nutritionist to know which human foods can be served to your dog. And some of the medical conditions might be deteriorated by avocados. That means avocados are meant for every dog.
And if you are thinking about persin poisoning, you are free to go for other foods that offer similar health benefits but you don’t need to concern about persin.
And if you are ready to feed avocados to your dog, you should choose organic and ripe avocados that mean those are free-of-chemicals and additives.
Then remove skins, pits, and stems. The best way to serve avocados is in its plain form. Otherwise, you can mix avocados in with other regular foods of your dog.
I hope you have got a decent idea about this topic and for further clarification, consult your veterinarian before making any decision.
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