Scrummy avocado is one of our favorite foods – but can dogs eat avocado? Is guacamole safe to feed to our dogs? Whether you’ve got an avocado-hungry-Xolo or a pooch that just isn’t getting enough greens, find out if the avocado is safe in this short guide!

Can Dogs Eat Avocado?

Yes, dogs and cats can eat avocado. Hurray! Other animals, particularly birds, will find avocado toxic. Dog owners with many different pets should ensure no avocado meals are eaten by the wrong pet.

Is Avocado Safe for Dogs?

In small amounts, avocado is safe for dogs. In fact, there are some health benefits to eating avocado.

The 2 main concerns when it comes to feeding your dog avocado are the choking hazard, and persin, which can be toxic to dogs in large quantities.

An avocado seed is similar in size to a ping pong ball! Don’t leave these lying around for dogs to snuffle up. Avocado seeds, leaves and the avocado tree itself are not suitable for your pooch to nibble.

Is Avocado Healthy or Toxic? Breaking Down the Nutrients

Avocado contains many healthy fats and fatty acids, like monounsaturated fat. These nutrients are essential for the doggy diet and keep his coat glossy and soft. However, many of these nutrients are already packed into his dog food, along with just the right balance of proteins and carbs.

Too much avocado can unbalance their diet – and the toxin persin can be dangerous if large amounts are consumed (AKA, a whole tub of guacamole).

Dogs Need Their Daily Vitamins and Minerals Too!

The doggy diet is composed of fats, proteins, carbs, vitamins and minerals. Veggies are important, but your pooch won’t ever be a vegetarian! In an avocado, there will be:

  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin A
  • Magnesium
  • Fiber
  • Potassium
  • Healthy Fats

All of these are beneficial for your dog in small amounts. Other foods, however, like grapes and macadamia nuts, are toxic to your dog. Regardless of the nutritional benefits of a food, always check that it’s safe for your dog before serving it up.

So “can dogs eat avocado?” – YES.

What Vegetables/Fruits Can Dogs Eat?

Besides avocado:

Feeding Your Dog Avocado: Possible Side Effects

The avocado pit is quite large and will easily get stuck in his airways – or intestinal tract if it gets past the stomach. If you notice your pooch having difficulty breathing, call a veterinarian straight away.

If eaten in large amounts, the toxin persin can make your dog very ill. Watch out for diarrhea, vomiting and other signs of an upset stomach.

So, can dogs eat avocado products in small amounts? No!

Avocado products, like guacamole, may also have other ingredients in them and should NEVER be fed to your dog. Onions, for example, are a common ingredient in guacamole that is harmful to dogs. Onions will destroy your dog’s red blood cells, causing very severe symptoms that can lead to kidney failure.

Call the pet poison helpline, the ASPCA or a veterinarian immediately if you suspect poisoning.

Eat All the Things: Food Dogs Can Eat

There’s no short supply of healthy foods you can prepare for your dog to eat. Check out these guides for recipes:

Peanut butter

Mash potato

Chicken, rice, and celery

And take a look at our blog for a range of other guides on which foods fido will love and which foods to avoid.

Make Guacamole for Dogs: The Ultimate Avocado Recipe Your Pet Will Love

This is a fantastic little recipe for your dog and a great way for pet owners to sneak in a few extra foods your furry friend turns his nose up at!

  • Pit and de-skin half an avocado and place in a blender.
  • Smoosh up that avocado into a silky smooth gauca – add a tiny amount of avocado oil or coconut oil if needed.
  • Add some chopped strawberries, mango and other fruits that are safe for dogs and humans, for texture.
  • Give to your dog in small amounts as treats and as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Dog Not Eating Avocado or Dog Won’t Eat Your Meal? 3 Tips to Help Them Out

  1. Change the texture – smooth guacamole or chunky avocado and chicken. He’s bound to love one of them!
  2. Smother your dog biscuits. If he loves crunchy foods, coat dog biscuits in a little guacamole.
  3. Try again another day – dog food contains all the natural vitamins, minerals and fats your dog needs in his diet. If he doesn’t fancy avocado today, he may already have snuffled up all the food he needs!

There are also dog foods made with avocado already in them, like AvoDerm Natural. These dog foods are perfectly balanced with avocado and other nutrients your dog needs in his diet.

Comparing Apples and Oranges: What Can Cats Eat as Well as Dogs?

Cats and dogs need different diets – your cute feline friend needs a meat-based diet, while your dog can handle many more veggies.

If you want to feed both your cat and dog at the same time, start with a meat like chicken (always cooked through) and add more veggies for your dog!

Just Food for Dogs: 3 Foods Your Dog Can Eat but Not Your Cat

  • Cheese! Even though some cats love cheese, it’s not good for them.
  • Raw meat.
  • Dog food.

What do Dogs Eat? 2 Ways to Feed Your Dog Avocado

Dogs can eat many things – from lettuce leaves to potatoes – in many cases, cooking the food first makes it more digestible for your dog.

Raw

Avocado is fine to feed to your dog raw – although your dog will probably prefer it when it’s soft and ripe, rather than hard and rubbery.

Cooked

Cooking avocado is fine to do – especially when you’re making up a dog food recipe, but this doesn’t make it any more beneficial for dogs than when it is raw.

If you have concerns about feeding your dog foods, you can always check with the ASPCA to read their latest advice on foods for dogs.

So, Is Avocado Good for Dogs? Can Dogs Have Avocado?

Can dogs eat avocado? The answer is yes, in small amounts as part of a healthy doggy diet. Depending on the size of your dog, a teaspoon may be a small amount or a tablespoon! Consider the avocado a treat for rare occasions – it should never become a permanent, main feature of their diet.

Just Watch Out for The Pits!

Dogs can eat avocados in small amounts, just make sure you watch out of the deadliest part of the avocado fruit: the pit!