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Avocados are a popular food enjoyed by many pet parents. It’s something that is eaten for different meals and as a snack. But what happens if a dog eats avocado? Can avocado make a dog sick?
Has your dog eaten avocado? Are you worried the avocado will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary if your dog eats something like this.
We’ve put together information about avocados and whether they can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is an Avocado?
Many people believe that avocado is a vegetable! But the truth is that avocados are fruits that are petty healthy for humans. They contain high amounts of unsaturated fat, which lowers LDL (“bad” cholesterol).
Avocados are green, with rough outer skin, and most are produced in the state of California in the US. These fruits are unique in that they tend to ripen and soften after they’re harvested. The fruit is ready to eat once the stem comes out easily. Or, if the stem is gone, the fruit yields a little bit under gentle pressure.
While avocados can be healthy for humans, what about dogs? Can avocados make a dog sick?
Avocados & Dogs
There’s mixed news to share about the avocado and dogs. The inner pulp of this yummy fruit is not toxic to dogs. However, other parts of the fruit are toxic to our canine companions.
The pit can make a dog sick if it becomes lodged anywhere in the dog’s digestive tract. There’s the danger it can cause intestinal obstruction.
The leaves, seeds, bark, and skin of the avocado are toxic to dogs. These parts of the fruit contain a substance called persin. Persin is a natural antifungal substance produced by avocado. If a dog eats a large amount of persin, it’s possible he could develop an upset stomach.
Back to the inner pulp of the fruit can also make a dog sick; however, it’s not toxic. The problem is that the inner part of the fruit contains high levels of fat. If a dog eats the pulp, he could develop pancreatitis. This can be a serious condition if not treated and even lead to death.
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Ask a Vet Live NowWhat to Do If Your Dog Eats Avocado
If your fur baby happens to eat any part of the avocado, we strongly recommend calling the vet. While the inner pulp is not toxic, it can cause pancreatitis. And eating the other parts of the fruit can also cause a dog to become pretty sick, though the toxin is considered mild for dogs.
The vet has the knowledge and experience to best help your dog in this situation. And as always, we highly recommend keeping avocado out of your dog’s reach. Prevention is always the best medicine!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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