Fruit
Can dogs eat avocado?
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.
Why Persin (mostly in leaves, skin and stone) and a high fat content
If your dog 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 teaspoon of flesh for a small dog, a tablespoon for a large one — occasionally.
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.
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.
Can cats eat avocado?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 dog can have instead
Apples
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Blackberries
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Questions owners ask
Can dogs eat avocado?
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 avocado can a dog have?
A teaspoon of flesh for a small dog, a tablespoon for a large one — occasionally.
What makes avocado risky for dogs?
Persin (mostly in leaves, skin and stone) and a high fat content.
What are the signs to watch for in dogs?
vomiting and diarrhoea, signs of choking or gagging (stone), belly pain.
What should I do if my dog 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 cats too?
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.
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 dogs
Apples
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Bananas
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
Strawberries
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Watermelon
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation