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Don’t you just love a huge bowl of guacamole when you’re eating Mexican food? Nothing’s better; well, almost nothing is better than guacamole! Even dogs may try to eat their pet parents’ guacamole. But is guacamole safe for dogs? Can guacamole make a dog sick?
Has your dog eaten guacamole? Are you worried the guacamole will make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when a dog eats something like this.
We’ve put together information about guacamole and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Guacamole?
Guacamole is a creamy, green dip that’s made from avocados. It’s usually eaten with Mexican food as a tip or even as a topping on tacos and other wonderful dishes! According to written records, guacamole goes back to the 1500s. The Aztecs used the dip and called it ahuaca-mulli. The Spaniards first tried this dip when they conquered the Aztecs and sent the dip home.
The dip contains avocados, salt, lime juice, diced tomatoes, onion, and cilantro. However, some recipes may also contain garlic.
While many prefer guacamole to be smooth, others love this dip to be more chunky. And they even make the dip with jalapenos. It’s a very flexible dip and can be made with a wide range of ingredients, including fruit!
While guacamole is safe for humans (in moderation), what about dogs? Can guacamole make a dog sick?
Guacamole & Dogs
The good news is that guacamole isn’t toxic to dogs. However, there are some considerations that may make this yummy dip not safe for a dog.
For instance, some recipes for guacamole include onions, garlic, jalapenos, and more. Onions and garlic are toxic for dogs, while peppers may be too spicy for a dog’s digestive system.
Another problem is that guacamole contains high levels of fat. In addition, lime juice in the recipe can mean the dip contains substances such as linalool, limonene, and psoralens. These can cause GI problems in dogs. What’s more, the spices in guacamole, such as cumin, cayenne, and others, are also irritating to a dog’s digestive tract and can cause GI issues.
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Ask a Vet Live NowWhat to Do If Your Dog Has Eaten Guacamole
First, if your dog has only taken a lick or two of the dip, he should be OK. However, is a small dog eats an entire bowl of guacamole, it’s best to call the vet. For medium and large dogs, if they’ve eaten a large amount of the dip, then it’s best to call the vet for advice.
If your dog is large, he may get away with an upset stomach. However, the smaller the dog, it’s possible he could develop diarrhea and vomiting. If these last longer than 24 hours, then it’s time to call the vet. By that time, your dog could be dehydrated.
Thankfully the vet has medications that can stop diarrhea and vomiting. They also have medications that calm an irritated digestive tract.
As you can see, it’s best to keep guacamole where your canine companion can’t eat it! So, keep guacamole out of your dog’s reach, and remember not to leave your plate unattended if it’s holding that yummy green dip made of avocadoes.
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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