Fruit
Can cats eat avocado?
Only a little flesh. Cats rarely want avocado; a lick of the flesh is harmless but the skin, leaves and stone should be kept away.
Why Persin (mostly in leaves, skin and stone) and a high fat content
If your cat ate some
- A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset.
- Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell.
- If a stone was swallowed, call your vet: it can lodge in the gut.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Signs of choking or gagging (stone)
- Belly pain
How much, how often
A lick or two, if any.
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of the day’s calories. Work out your pet’s calories
Serving it safely
- Remove the stone and skin
- Offer a small amount of plain flesh
- Never guacamole — it contains onion and garlic
Dogs and cats, side by side
Dogs In moderation
Only a little flesh. Ripe avocado flesh is not poisonous to dogs, but it is very fatty, and the stone is a serious choking and blockage risk.
How much: A teaspoon of flesh for a small dog, a tablespoon for a large one — occasionally.
Can dogs eat avocado?Cats In moderation
Only a little flesh. Cats rarely want avocado; a lick of the flesh is harmless but the skin, leaves and stone should be kept away.
How much: A lick or two, if any.
The details
Avocado has a scary reputation because persin is dangerous to birds, rabbits, horses and goats. Dogs and cats are far less sensitive, and the flesh contains little of it. The real risks for pets are the fat, which can upset the stomach or trigger pancreatitis in prone dogs, and the large stone.
Safer treats your cat can have instead
Questions owners ask
Can cats eat avocado?
Only a little flesh. Cats rarely want avocado; a lick of the flesh is harmless but the skin, leaves and stone should be kept away.
How much avocado can a cat have?
A lick or two, if any.
What makes avocado risky for cats?
Persin (mostly in leaves, skin and stone) and a high fat content.
What are the signs to watch for in cats?
vomiting and diarrhoea, signs of choking or gagging (stone), belly pain.
What should I do if my cat ate avocado?
A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset. Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell. If a stone was swallowed, call your vet: it can lodge in the gut.
Is avocado safe for dogs too?
Only a little flesh. Ripe avocado flesh is not poisonous to dogs, but it is very fatty, and the stone is a serious choking and blockage risk.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
More foods for cats
Grapes and raisins
Apples
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Bananas
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
