- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Some dogs can eat a small amount of avocado flesh—the soft green “meat” of the avocado—without any major risk to their health. But other parts, like the stone, skin, and leaves, can be very dangerous.
No part of an avocado is completely safe for dogs, so it’s generally best to err on the side of caution and keep this fruit for yourself!
All parts of the avocado fruit, including the stem and leaves, contain persin, a fungicidal toxin that can poison your pet. Dogs may be more resistant to avocado toxicosis than other animals, like birds, but eating avocado may still be risky.
The high fat content in avocado can raise your dog’s risk of pancreatitis. This condition may require hospitalization, and severe cases can be life-threatening, says Dr. Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, and senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline.
What Are The Risks Of Giving Dogs Avocado?
Dr. Schmid says a small amount of avocado likely won’t harm most dogs. But you’ll want to avoid giving any avocado to dog breeds who have a higher risk of developing pancreatitis, including Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, and Cocker Spaniels.
Experts don’t know exactly how much avocado can cause fatal poisoning in dogs, and this amount may depend on the dog. But experts do know that some parts of the avocado pose more risk to dogs.
Part of the avocado | Risk level |
Flesh | Less risk |
Stone (aka pit or seed) | Some risk. May cause choking or a foreign body obstruction that requires surgery. |
Leaves | High risk. |
Skin | High risk. |
Oil | Low risk. Can be safe in small amounts. |
Considering these risks, Dr. Schmid says it’s best to avoid giving your dog any avocado, if possible—even if their breed doesn’t predispose them to pancreatitis.
What about avocado oil?
A small amount of avocado oil may be safe and even offer benefits to some dogs. Avocado oil contains no persin and has healthy compounds like monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants.
The high fat content in avocado oil may provide anti-inflammatory benefits to dogs with joint issues or inflammation, according to Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM, a veterinary consultant at We Love Doodles. If you’re considering giving your dog avocado oil, she recommends starting with small amounts and monitoring for any adverse reactions.
Like raw avocado, though, avocado oil is high in fat, which means your dog still shouldn’t eat too much. Dr. Kong says your dog’s size, diet, and overall fat tolerance should guide the amount you give them.
For example, a few drops to 1 teaspoon mixed into your dog’s food would be an appropriate starting point for a medium-sized dog. You might give smaller dogs just a few drops, while large dogs could tolerate a bit more. It’s always best to check with your vet before giving any new foods or oils to your dog.
For alternatives to avocado oil, there are quite a few healthy oils your pup could try. You can also try commercial veterinary products that contain avocado extracts and other ingredients to help ease inflammation, Dr. Schmid says.
How Much Avocado Can I Give My Dog?
There’s no set serving size for avocado, Dr. Schmid says.
Factors that affect how much avocado a dog can eat include:
- A history of pancreatitis
- A history of sensitive stomach issues
- Whether their breed has a higher risk of pancreatitis
Additionally, the amount of fat a dog can tolerate is very individualized, Dr. Schmid says. She recommends working with your vet if you’re thinking of giving your dog avocado.
High amounts of fat in a dog’s diet can contribute to excess weight gain and pancreatitis. If your vet believes your dog should gain some weight, they’ll most likely recommend a nutritionally balanced, high-calorie dog food.
Are there any benefits to giving a dog avocado?
It’s true that avocados are packed with plenty of nutrients, including “healthy” monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and fiber. This makes them a heart-healthy food for people.
When it comes to pets, though, the risk associated with persin outweighs these potential benefits. To put it simply, avocados don’t offer enough health benefits to dogs (or cats!) to warrant adding them to your pet’s diet, Dr. Kong says. Their high calorie and fat content can also do more harm than good for dogs.
“If you’re considering giving your dog avocado flesh—never the pit or skin—ensure it’s in small amounts and free of any potential toxins,” Dr. Kong says.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Some Avocado
A medium or large dog who eats a small amount of avocado will likely be just fine, but it never hurts to check in with your vet.
If your smaller dog has eaten some avocado, or a dog of any size has eaten a lot of avocado (including the skin, pit, and leaves), you’ll want to pay close attention for signs of a negative reaction.
The main signs of avocado toxicosis include vomiting, diarrhea, and other stomach irritation. Less common symptoms may include respiratory distress, congestion, heart damage, and death—but these symptoms are more likely to affect other animals, like cows, birds, and goats.
Bad reactions to avocados can vary from pet to pet, Dr. Schmid says. Dogs who have a sensitive stomach have a higher risk of stomach upset after eating avocado.
Dr. Schmid recommends calling your vet right away if:
- Your dog has swallowed or chewed the avocado pit.
- They’re thrown up more than once or twice.
- They become lethargic, stop eating, and seem to have abdominal pain.
If your dog doesn’t have any symptoms after eating an avocado, you may not need to make a trip to the vet—unless they’ve eaten the pit.
Can dogs break a tooth from biting the avocado pit?
Dogs have strong teeth, but they can still break a tooth when biting into something hard, like a cherry pit or avocado stone.
If your dog got hold of an avocado pit and chewed it, you can check for signs of a broken tooth, including:
- A reddish or blackish spot in the center of an irregular crown surface with exposed pulp
- Teeth that don’t align
- Difficulty eating or food dropping from their mouth
- Mouth consistently held open
- Signs of pain, like pawing at the mouth
If you think your dog may have a broken tooth, contact your vet as soon as possible. A broken tooth can be very painful, but your vet can recommend the right treatment.
Takeaway
Avocados have plenty of health benefits for people, but most experts don’t recommend giving avocado to pets. This fruit comes with too many possible health risks for animals.
That said, eating just a little avocado likely won’t harm your dog. If your dog accidentally gets into some avocado, just pay close attention for any signs of a negative reaction, like stomach distress. If your dog has pancreatitis, you may want to consult your vet.
Dog-friendly foods that fulfill the same dietary role as avocados without the risks include flaxseed oil and fish oil.
Dr. Kong says these are excellent sources of healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids that can benefit a dog’s skin, coat, and overall health. Chia seeds and coconut oil are other great options you can add to your dog’s diet for similar health benefits.