As Spring begins to turn to Summer, outdoor dining at home or out on the town is becoming in vogue again, which can only mean that your alfresco experience calls for the addition of avocado!
Whether it is freshly made chips and guacamole or avocado and egg on toast, or baked avocado chips, this delicious and nutritious fruit goes with almost anything.
So it is no surprise that our four-legged furriends may have some interest in joining you while snacking on your Turkey Bacon Avocado Club sandwich.
Can My Dog Have Avocado?
Of course, the next question you will have is whether or not it is safe to give them unlimited amounts of avocado and for that the answer is unfortunately no.
Why Dogs Shouldn’t Eat Avocados
Though avocados offer humans a wide range of nutritional benefits making them a trendy health food, they contain persin, a fungicidal toxin that can cause serious health problems for dogs including vomiting and diarrhea.
The highest concentration of persin is in avocado leaves, skin, and pits, which should never be given to your dog. Thin slices of fresh avocado fruit pose much less of a risk as they have low levels of persin but like anything else with some level of toxicity to your dog, give it to them in enough quantities and they will get sick.
Though the exact level of persin to cause serious issues for dogs is unknown, the risk for any dog breed is probably not worth the reward. Any avocado-based dishes such as Guacamole Deviled Eggs or Avocado Ice Cream could contain an amount of persin that will cause issues for your dog.
Another issue to watch out for with avocados and your best furriend is that the avocado pit presents some danger to them. More specifically, the pit can be a choking hazard for some breeds and potentially cause a blockage in their intestinal tract.
What Do I Do If My Dog Eats Avocado?
If your dog does end up eating some piece of avocado, whether that is the fruit or the pit, you should monitor them for a period of 24-48 hours looking for any signs of intestinal discomfort. If you do see them vomiting, wailing in pain, or experiencing diarrhea, contact your veterinarian.
If your dog eats the pulp of an avocado, it’s always a good idea to watch them for 24-48 hours, and report any vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of abdominal discomfort to your veterinarian.
So the next time you’re making some delicious Corn Avocado Salsa or Avocado and Pesto Pasta, make sure to avoid having the four-legged member of your pack come by while you’re prepping.
And even though they may give you those puppy-begging eyes, make sure to give them an alternative treat like our pack fav: a bully stick!