Can Dogs Eat Avocado?

Verdict: CAUTION — avoid feeding avocado to dogs.

The ASPCA lists avocado as toxic to pets, but the practical risk for dogs is different than for birds or rabbits. The main dangers for dogs are the pit (choking and intestinal blockage), the high fat content (pancreatitis), and persin in the skin, pit and leaves.

Why it's risky

• Persin: a natural antifungal compound found mainly in the leaves, skin and pit. The flesh of a ripe avocado has very low levels. A dog would need to eat a lot of leaves, bark or peels to get persin poisoning — but it can cause stomach upset.
• The pit: large, hard and slippery — a serious choking hazard and a common cause of intestinal obstruction requiring surgery.
• High fat: can trigger pancreatitis, especially in breeds prone to it.

Symptoms

• Vomiting and diarrhea (usually mild, from the flesh or fat)
• Drooling
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Signs of blockage (if the pit was swallowed): straining to poop, vomiting, lethargy

How much is dangerous?

A small bite of avocado flesh is unlikely to cause serious harm in most dogs. The real dangers are the pit, the skin, and large amounts of flesh (high fat). Small dogs are at higher risk from the pit.

What to do if your dog eats avocado

1. If your dog ate only a little flesh: monitor for vomiting or diarrhea.
2. If your dog swallowed the pit: call your vet immediately — it can block the intestines.
3. If your dog ate the skin or leaves: call your vet or poison control.
4. Watch for signs of blockage (vomiting, no appetite, straining) for 24-48 hours.

FAQ

Is avocado flesh toxic to dogs?

The flesh has very low persin levels. The bigger risks are the pit, the skin and the fat content.

Can dogs eat guacamole?

No. Besides avocado, guacamole usually contains onion, garlic, salt and lime — all problematic for dogs.

What should I do if my dog ate an avocado pit?

Call your vet immediately. The pit can cause a life-threatening intestinal blockage.

Can avocado oil be used on dog food?

Small amounts of pure avocado oil are generally not toxic, but check with your vet first — the high fat content is still a concern.

Sources

• ASPCA: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets (aspca.org)
• PetMD: Can Dogs Eat Avocado? (petmd.com)