Why
Avocado contains a substance called persin. Dogs are relatively resistant to it, but birds, rabbits and some other animals are not. If you keep a pet bird, never let it eat avocado.
The bigger problems for dogs are fat, which can cause stomach upset or pancreatitis, and the large pit, which can cause choking or a blockage in the intestines. The skin and leaves contain more persin than the flesh. Guacamole usually contains onion and garlic, which are toxic to dogs.
Risks to watch for
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Choking, gagging or repeated retching if the pit was swallowed
- Loss of appetite, belly pain or straining, which can signal a blockage
- Hunched posture and vomiting after a fatty meal, possible signs of pancreatitis
How to share safely
- If you do share, offer only a small piece of plain flesh with no skin or pit.
- Never give guacamole or seasoned avocado dishes.
- Contact your vet if your dog swallows a pit or shows signs of a blockage.
How much?
Dogs should get avocado as an occasional small taste at most. Healthier low-fat treats are a better choice.
What about avocado oil, and dog foods that list avocado?
Some commercial dog foods and treats include avocado or avocado oil. These use the flesh or oil, not the leaves, skin or pit, and the recipe is set by the manufacturer. The concerns on this page are mainly about fat, pits and seasoned dishes.
Avocado oil straight from the bottle is pure fat. A dog that laps up a spill can get vomiting and diarrhea, and dogs prone to pancreatitis are at higher risk. Keep the oil for your own cooking, and wipe up spills before your dog gets to them.
Do you have an avocado tree in the yard?
Dogs with access to a backyard tree can eat several fallen fruits in one afternoon, pit and all. The leaves, bark, skin and pit contain more persin than the flesh, so a tree is a bigger source than a slice from the kitchen.
Pick up fallen fruit every day during the season. If your dog chews pits like toys, fence off the area under the tree. Fruit that has gone moldy on the ground is another reason to clear it, since moldy food can make dogs sick.
My dog swallowed a pit. What happens next?
Call your vet even if the dog seems fine. Do not try to make your dog vomit a pit at home. A large, hard pit coming back up can get stuck in the esophagus.
The vet will ask about the size of your dog and the pit, and may use x-rays or ultrasound to find it. Some pits pass on their own under close watch. Others need to be removed with an endoscope or surgery. Signs of a blockage can appear hours or days later, so keep watching for repeated vomiting, refusing food or a painful belly.
Common questions
Is avocado good for dogs?
Only in limited ways. Avocado contains a substance called persin. Dogs are relatively resistant to it, but birds, rabbits and some other animals are not.
Is avocado bad for dogs?
It can be. Risks to watch for: vomiting or diarrhea; choking, gagging or repeated retching if the pit was swallowed.
Are dogs allowed to have avocado?
Only in small amounts and the right form. If you do share, offer only a small piece of plain flesh with no skin or pit.
Sources
Topic references
General care and safety
If your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away. Do not wait for symptoms. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply).