Can dogs eat avocados?

Updated 22/04/2024

In recent years especially, the humble avocado has found its way onto the plates of many across the world. And with that, many pet parents have rightly been wondering - can dogs eat avocado or is avocado good for dogs in any way, like it is for us humans? Unfortunately, you won't be sharing your avo toast with your pup any time soon, as dogs can't have avocado. Why? Well read on to find out why you'll need to keep your avo bowl way out of paw's reach.

Is avocado toxic to dogs?

So, what's the story with dogs and avocados? Can dogs eat avocado if prepared in a certain way, or is avocado bad for dogs altogether? Well it's a slightly awkward one to answer - if you're wondering - can dogs eat avocado if it's ripe and in miniscule amounts, the answer, most of the time, is probably. But for many larger animals, avocados are toxic, so we'd advise avoiding the risk of poisoning your pup altogether by keeping avocados completely off the menu.

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Why are avocados bad for dogs?

Avocados can be poisonous to dogs because they contain persin, which can cause a whole host of nasty health issues, and in some cases, even death. Before we get into the details, you're probably wondering - what is persin and why might it harm my pup? Well it's what's known as a fungicidal toxin that's similar to fatty acids, and it's the compound that causes the toxicity in animals who accidentally eat avocado.

Most of the persin contained in an avocado is found in the skin, pits, leaves and bark of the fruit and plant, but levels of persin can be found in the flesh of the plant, especially in unripened fruit. So, err on the side of caution and never feed your dog avocado, even if it's ripe flesh.

The stone can also be a choking hazard and avocados are high in fat which can cause stomach upsets.

And if you suspect your pooch might have somehow eaten avocado, you might be wondering how much avocado will kill a dog. Well it really depends on their size, sex and breed, so speak to your vet as a matter of urgency if you're worried. 

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What to do if your dog eats avocado

What to do if my dog ate avocado? The best and safest option with your pup's wellbeing in mind is to contact your vet. If you can, try to find out how much of the plant your dog managed to eat, which parts of the plant, and how ripe the fruit was - this might help your vet to determine how serious the toxicity may be, and whether you need to get your pup down for an appointment or treatment.   

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Symptoms of persin toxicity in dogs

Now we're all clear on the fact that avocado is no good for dogs, let's take a look at some of the very serious symptoms of persin toxicity in dogs that are caused by the consumption of avocado flesh and other parts of the plant. 

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Heart failure
• Heart attack
• Death

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Other avocado products

Can dogs eat guacamole?

While guacamole is one of the most popular ways for us humans to reap the benefits of avocado, can dogs have guacamole, too? The answer is no, unfortunately. Not only because of the persin found in avocado (which is toxic to dogs), guacamole also contains high levels of salt and other potentially irritating ingredients for your pooch. 

Can dogs have avocado oil?

You might be wondering - is avocado oil safe for dogs? Unfortunately, you'll need to avoid feeding your pup avocado oil. It's naturally seriously high in fat which won't be good news for your canine companion. 

Can dogs eat avocado skin?

Just like avocado oil for dogs and the fruit itself, avocado skin should be avoided at all costs for our pups. Why? Well avocado skin contains high levels of persin which is toxic to dogs and can cause serious toxicity symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, heart failure and even death.

Can dogs eat avocados if cooked?

No, even if cooked, you should completely avoid feeding your dog avocado - it's just not worth the risk of persin toxicity. 

Can dogs have avocado if it's deseeded?

While the seed contains high levels of persin, the toxic compound still resides in the flesh,  especially in unripened fruit, so it's just not worth the risk in our books.

Is avocado safe for dogs if it's mixed with lemon?

Many guacamole and avo on toast recipes call for lemon, and while the citrus might make avocado even tastier for us humans, it makes no difference to the level of toxicity for dogs.

Are avocado pits poisonous?

While there may be some avocado benefits for dogs, the cons definitely outweigh the pros with this fruit, so can dogs eat avocado pits? Certainly not - the avocado pits - otherwise known as seeds - contain high levels of persin which is toxic to dogs, and can also be a choking hazard.

Related article: Can dogs eat pistachios?

Meet our veterinary expert, Greg

This article has been checked by veterinarian Dr Greg Steele MA VETMB MRCVS. A mixed vet working in the UK since qualifying from Cambridge University in 2015. Greg enjoys working with all species of animals in all settings, but equally takes pride in communication and education of clients too. He lives with his wife and their cat, and enjoys a variety of sports, gardening, and the great outdoors.

Other foods that are not safe for dogs

So now we know that avocado and dogs don't exactly mix, what other foods need to be avoided for your canine pal? Take a look below and explore our blog for more foods dogs can't eat.

• Corn on the cob
• Grapes
• Sweetened yogurt