With the growing trend of eating healthy oils, we try to give our dog the best of the best, too! Talking about healthy oils, avocado oil surely strikes our minds. But is this oil with good fat good for your dog?
Some oils like sunflower oil are surely beneficial for your furry friend, but does that mean you can give your dog everything that you feel is healthy for you? We bet you, there are a few things you might think are great for your dog, but turns out, it’s quite the opposite. So, is avocado oil one of those things?
You might have heard rumors about avocado and its oil being toxic for dogs, but is that really the case? Can dogs eat Avocado oil?
Let’s find out!
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Are Avocadoes Really Toxic For Dogs – TRUE OR NOT?
If you are a dog owner and spend your time extensively searching for healthy and new options for your dog, you might have come across this statement of avocados not being healthy for dogs. Some people call it toxic, while some call it poisonous. But is it really true?
Basically, the pit, skin, and leaves of the avocado contain a fungicidal substance, which is known as Persin. This substance is extremely toxic for dogs. Just like the mango skin and pit, the avocado skin and pit are not safe for your pup or dog. If your dog ever eats these components, it could result in avocado poisoning. It is also true that this substance is present in the flesh too, but not in such a great amount that it would harm your four-legged member.
So, one should definitely avoid giving their dog the pit, skin, and leaves of avocado, which can lead to serious health hazards. But, like we all know that the oil is made from the flesh, so is the oil good for the dog, or should that be avoided too?
Is It Safe For Dogs To Eat a Meal Prepared With Avocado Oil?
Avocado oil is made from the flesh of Avocado. Now that we know that the pit, skin, and leaves should be avoided, and are definitely hazardous for the dog. Let’s first find out how good is avocado for the dog so that we can decide upon the fate of the oil for our dogs.
Are Avocados Safe For Dogs?
Most dogs love sneaking some human food. But, there are certain food items that you should be super cautious about. One of them is Avocado. Although the pit, skin, and leaves are highly toxic, the flesh can be given to your dog, as it is quite harmless. A few slices of avocados would not harm your dog, but beware that they should not overeat this. The flesh still contains bits of Persin, although not in worrisome quantities. Avocados are extremely nutritious and can be fed to the dog every once in a while.
Avocado Oil For Dogs
Avocado oil, derived from the flesh of the Avocado, is a healthy option for humans. However, it’s good for the dogs too, but only if given in moderate quantities. Dog owners should be extremely careful about giving avocado oil because of its high-fat content. Such oils can also cause digestive problems in the long run if given daily.
However, if you manage the portion carefully, this oil is great as it provides your dog with some nutrients that are great and super healthy. These nutrients could be missing in the dog’s diet and is a smart way to provide the nutrients in the form of oil.
However, all dog parents must keep in mind that no oil should be given to dogs in large quantities. No matter how healthy the oil is.
Benefits Of Avocado Oil
Avocado oil can be great for the dog if only given in small quantities. It has all the important nutrients that could be missing in its diet otherwise. The oil contains Vitamin E, which aids the vision of the dog and keeps the neurological and reproductive system intact.
The omega 3 fatty acid in the avocado oil is also excellent for the dog as it provides it with essential fatty acids, which reduce inflammation and eases joint pains if any.
Avocado oil is even present in many dog treats. However, it is recommended that one must consult a certified vet before giving anything new to the dog, even if it’s avocado oil, as it might react or might not be good for a specific breed. Hence, always consult before experimenting.
What Happens If You Overfeed Avocados or Avocado Oil?
If you are someone who is getting avocados to home more than frequently, beware that your dog does not eat too much avocado or avocado oil, as this can cause serious health issues.
The avocado oil, when given in large quantities, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and myocardial damage. Since it is super high in fat content, it can also cause gastrointestinal problems, which can lead to digestive issues too. Being high in fat, it can also cause a sudden weight gain in the dog, which too can lead to serious health problems.
Our Verdict
In a nutshell, anything that has never been given to a dog before should be brought into the veterinarian’s knowledge first before feeding it to the furry member. However, if separated correctly from the skin and leaves, avocado oil can be pretty nutritious for the dog. The only thing to remember is to feed it in moderate quantities. Please remember that what is good for you might not always be good for the dog. Also, all human foods should be given to dogs in super limited amounts so that your dog can lead a super healthy life!