Can Dogs Eat Avocado?

A trendy fruit, you may wonder if dogs can eat avocado.

Full of the good kind of fat that provides a ton of health benefits, the avocado is widely regarded as one of the healthiest foods you can chow down on. But not all foods that are healthy for humans are necessarily great for dogs.

As you take a bite of your avocado toast, you may be wondering if you can share this nutritious fruit (yes, it is a fruit) with your pooch. If it is safe, what are the best ways to feed it to your dog? Let’s find out!

Is Avocado Safe for Dogs to Eat?

Yes, avocados are safe for dogs! But be careful not to do so in large amounts.

As we said, the avocado is a fruit that happens to be packed with over 20 vitamins and minerals. With just a 3.5-ounce, 160-calorie serving, you get 2 grams of protein and 15 grams of fats (the healthy kind). As well, it boasts sources of vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, and B vitamins. And don’t forget fiber—it counteracts the carbohydrate content to give you 2 grams net carbs per serving.

All of this sounds good, but there are parts of the avocado that you need to be wary about. Be sure to remove the pit—it’s big enough for your dog to choke on or develop an intestinal blockage if eaten. Even though avocado is full of the good kind of fat, it’s still fat—and fed frequently, can lead to unhealthy weight gain and even trigger pancreatitis. As well, avocado also contains a toxin called persin (largely found in the peel) that can cause gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if you feed your dog too much of it.

Tips for Feeding Your Dog Avocado

You can feed your dog avocado, but you should be careful about how much you feed him. It’s important to reiterate that you should never feed your dog the avocado pit as it could cause an intestinal blockage or could cause chocking. As well, never give your dog the peel to eat as it contains the highest concentration of persin. The best way to feed your dog avocado is to cut it in half, then remove the pit and skin. Slice or dice the avocado into pieces and give your dog a small amount.

If this is the first time you’re feeding your dog avocado, only give him a small bite and wait to see if he has a negative reaction. Because of its high fat content, some dogs may develop intestinal upset—you may not notice this reaction immediately. If this happens, wait another day or so before trying again, just to be safe. You can also try freezing slices of avocado as a refreshing summer treat in the hot summer heat.

Safe in small amounts, feed your dog this fruit sparingly. If your dog eats too much at once, you should call your veterinarian, just to be on the safe side. Should your dog eat a pit, take your pet into the veterinarian’s office before a serious problem develops.