Avocado oil has become popular in recent years as a cooking component. Avocados are a well-known example of a healthy fat food. Avocados and avocado oil are healthy complements to a balanced human diet when consumed in moderation, but what about our canine companions?
You may have heard that avocados are toxic to dogs and that you should never feed avocado to your dog. This is only part of the truth. Because of a substance called persin found in the stem and skin of avocados, which is deadly to dogs, the belief continues. Avocado flour and oil are both non-toxic to dogs and can be given in tiny amounts. We’ll separate reality from fiction in this post and get to the bottom of the avocado argument.
Table of Contents
A Persistent Myth
Avocados, and by extension, avocado oil, are thought to be toxic to dogs, according to popular belief. There is a grain of truth in it, as with many myths. Avocado stems, leaves, and skin contain persin, which is toxic to dogs and causes stomach problems, vomiting, and diarrhea if taken in big enough amounts.
Avocado oil and the part of the avocado we eat and use to make guacamole do not contain significant amounts of persin, thus they are both healthy for your dog to eat. Avocado and avocado oil are used in some dog diets for their nutritional value. These foods are made from the green fruit component of the fruit that we eat, thus they are entirely healthy for dogs.
It’s worth noting that even the “healthy” section of an avocado includes persin, which can be harmful to your dog in big amounts. The only way to keep your pet safe is to never feed it avocado. Although it is not recommended that you offer avocado to your dog, you need not be concerned if they eat a small portion of the fruit. It’s best to contact your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has eaten something harmful.
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Is Avocado Oil healthy?
To put it simply, yes. The lengthier answer is that, due to its high fat content, you should avoid giving your dog excessive amounts of avocado oil. Foods heavy in fat are difficult for canine digestive systems to process since they aren’t suited to handle fatty loads. Pancreatitis is the most prevalent cause of pancreatitis. As a result, only offer your dog modest amounts of avocado oil. Inquire with your veterinarian about portion sizes that are appropriate for your dog.
Avocado oil is a terrific method to provide your loyal buddy some critical nutrients that they may be lacking in their diet if you manage the serving size correctly. Avocado oil is high in vitamin E and Omega 3 fatty acids, which are both beneficial to your dog’s health. Vitamin E is beneficial to a dog’s vision, brain function, and reproductive system, while Omega 3 fatty acids help to reduce inflammation and relieve joint pain.
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Important Asides
Guacamole
Guacamole is poisonous to dogs, but not because it contains avocado. Both onion and garlic are particularly harmful to dogs, yet both are commonly included in guacamole. If your dog eats guacamole, get medical attention right away.
The Pit
Allowing your dog to eat the pit of an avocado is not recommended. Choking dangers and deadly quantities of persin are present in these big, brown pits. Handle avocados with utmost caution around your pets. It’s all too simple to leave a pit on the counter for an inquisitive puppy to take.
Conclusion
Avocados and avocado oil should probably be avoided if you want to keep your dog healthy. The belief that avocado fruit is toxic to dogs is common, and while it does not tell the whole story, it contains enough truth to warrant caution. Avocado oil is included in some dog foods to improve nutritional content, but if you want to give it to your dog yourself, proceed with caution. Before making any changes or additions to your dog’s diet, it’s always a good idea to see a veterinarian.
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