Mary Allen
Avocados are considered very healthy. So the question arises, can my dog eat avocados too?
The avocado is rich in essential fatty acids and contains a lot of potassium. It is also full of important vitamins.
This makes avocados a particularly valuable and healthy food. At least that’s the case for humans.
Why can’t dogs eat avocados?
But in addition to these important ingredients, the avocado also contains the substance person. Persin is a toxin, i.e. a poisonous substance.
For us humans, Persin is completely harmless. However, Persin is very dangerous for dogs.
Persin is hardly explored. So far very little is known about how it works.
It is also not known from which dose of persin has a lethal effect on which animal. There are only specific limit values for mice.
Are avocados poisonous to animals?
As far as avocados are concerned, statements and opinions differ widely. The fact is that avocado seeds contain a relatively large amount of poison.
The pulp, on the other hand, only contains traces of a person. The flesh of some varieties is said to contain no person at all.
In general, one hears again and again that small amounts of avocado do not harm the dog.
However, not only the persin who is unhealthy for dogs. The fat contained in the fruit can also cause health problems such as digestive problems in dogs.
What to do if the dog ate an avocado?
Under no circumstances should the dog catch a core. It is not only dangerous because of the person it contains. It can also promote intestinal obstruction.
So if you want to be on the safe side, you should avoid feeding avocados.
If, despite all precautionary measures, your dog eventually catches avocados, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Symptoms of avocado poisoning
Symptoms of persine poisoning are:
- shortness of breath
- cramps
- increased heart rate
- diarrhea and vomiting
- restlessness
- weakness
Larger amounts of persin cause heart muscle damage and eventual death in dogs.
Avocado for dogs?
Avocados are the shape and size of a pear. However, they can also be egg-shaped or round.
The shell is also very different. It can be different shades of red, but can also be black or green. It has a leathery, wrinkled, or smooth texture. The skin shines like wax.
Hardly any kitchen should be without these popular fruits. The flesh is yellow to green and turns dark as soon as it comes into contact with air.
The core takes up around one-fifth of the fruit.
The avocado originally comes from the tropical rainforests of Mexico and Central America. The fruit, which is a berry, grows on trees and has been used by humans for thousands of years.
Today, several hundred different varieties are cultivated, some of which also thrive in the Mediterranean region. Fuerte and Hass are our most common varieties.
In recent years, avocados have come under criticism due to the enormous amount of water they use. Depending on which study you believe, it takes 1,000 to 3,000 liters of water per kilogram of avocado.
In addition, the fruits are grown in monocultures in countries with little water anyway. The eco-balance looks so devastating that I only bought organic avocados for our children.
However, a fillet of beef costs a lot more water. And even for cheese, the water consumption per kilogram is similar to that of avocados.
However, no matter how healthy and nutritious avocados are for humans, they are not a suitable meal for our dogs anyway. Your dog would be better off avoiding it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why no avocados for dogs?
Because the fruits contain poisonous persin, which can damage the heart muscle of the dog and lead to its death. There is a little person in the flesh of the avocado, but to a large extent in the core. There is also a risk of suffocation with the cores.
What fruit can my dog eat?
Pears and apples are particularly healthy fruits for dogs, as they ensure balanced digestion with a high proportion of vitamins and the dietary fiber pectin. Pineapple and papaya are also well tolerated due to their enzymes. Most nuts are well tolerated by dogs.
Are apples good for dogs?
Apples are among the healthiest fruits and have a positive effect on the well-being of both humans and dogs. The pectins contained in apples, which are roughage, bind water in the intestine, swell up and help against diarrhea in dogs.
Can a dog eat watermelon?
Dogs generally tolerate watermelons. It should be ripe fruit. As with other well-tolerated fruits and vegetables, watermelons depend on the quantity: depending on their size and weight, dogs can tolerate a few pieces of watermelon.
Can a dog eat kiwi?
Clear answer: yes, dogs can eat kiwi. Kiwi is a relatively unproblematic fruit for dogs. However, just like other fruits, kiwi should only be fed as a treat, i.e. not in large quantities.
Can I give my dog a cucumber?
Cucumber for dogs brings variety to everyday food and provides important nutrients. In addition, the cucumber consists of around 95% water and is therefore ideal for those who drink little and as a small refreshment for the dog on hot summer days. However, cucumbers are also often fed as a light food for the intestines.
Which is better for the dog rice or potatoes?
In addition to potatoes, you can also feed them peeled and boiled sweet potatoes. Of course, the carbohydrate sources most commonly used by humans are also suitable for dogs: rice and pasta. Rice is often used for gastrointestinal problems because it is easily digestible and therefore well tolerated.
Can I give cheese to my dog?
Low-fat, low-lactose, and lactose-free cheeses can be fed to dogs as treats. Hard cheese and semi-hard cheese are particularly easy to digest and suitable due to their easy portioning.