Can Dogs Have Avocado Oil?

Thanks to its numerous benefits, avocado oil has become a popular food ingredient, including being cholesterol-free and high in multiple vitamins.

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However, as a dog parent, you may be wondering, “can dogs have avocado oil?”

Though some parts of an avocado fruit may be toxic, moderate amounts of its oil make a great addition to your pup’s menu.

Avocado oil is loaded with healthy nutrients and has excellent anti-inflammatory features, which are beneficial to your dog.

If you’re wondering if your canine friends can join you in enjoying this superfood oil, keep reading.

In this article, we separate facts from fiction regarding feeding your dog avocado oil.

Is Avocado Oil Good for Dogs?

A moderate amount of avocado oil has excellent nutritional value for your pup.

Below are some of the reasons why avocado is suitable for your pooch:

It contains omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation and ease joint pain.
Avocado oil contains vitamin E, C, A, and B6, which are essential in promoting your dog’s vision, reproductive system, and neurologic health.
Avocado oil is excellent for your dog’s skin as it can help manage dry and itchy skin and cracked nose.
It has Omega-6 fatty acids that give your dog a shiny and healthy coat when topically applied.
Avocado oil is helpful in the absorption and utilization of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K.
Niacin, potassium, folate, and antioxidants in avocado oil help fight numerous diseases, including some kinds of cancer.
Avocado oil contains “good fat,” which helps lower cholesterol when given in small amounts.

What Are the Risks of Avocado Oil to Dogs?

The avocado flesh is the safest part to feed your dog, but it’s not risk-free.

Avoid giving large amounts of avocado oil as it could pose the following risks:

High-Fat Content

One of the significant benefits of avocados is that they contain high “good fat” levels.

Nonetheless, high amounts of this fat may put your furry pal at risk of getting pancreatitis, a life-threatening condition that causes inflammation of the pancreas.

Avocado oil may be high in fat content which your dog’s digestive system is not designed to handle.

Furthermore, your pup may have medical conditions that require low-fat diets hence experiencing diarrhea or vomiting on intake.

Allergies

Your furry pal could be allergic to avocado oil; if you notice signs like sneezing, itchy rashes, coughing, diarrhea, hives, and gas, contact your veterinarian immediately.

In some cases, an allergic reaction to avocado oil may lead to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition.

If your dog has anaphylaxis, you’ll witness the following symptoms; swelling, difficulty in breathing, and hives, and you should seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

Toxicity

Avocados contain a fungicidal toxin called persin, which is more concentrated in the skin, bark, leaves, and pit, but there are some low amounts in the flesh.

Persin is toxic to your dog, and the effects of the toxicity depend on the amount it feeds.

Large amounts of persin may cause your dog to experience stomach pains, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Contact a veterinarian immediately if you see these signs, as they can result in death within hours.

Obesity

With 0.5oz fat and 124 calories within one tablespoon of avocado oil, excessive intake poses an excellent obesity danger to your pet.

Continuous intake of large amounts of avocado oil results in excess calories, predisposing the pooch to obesity, especially if they are inactive or on an unhealthy diet.

How Much Avocado Oil Can You Give Your Dog?

The healthy amount of avocado oil to give your canine companion is one teaspoon per 20 lbs of body weight per meal.

With this amount, your pup will enjoy the health benefits of avocado oil without any health risks.

If your dog is inactive, they are at risk of obesity; therefore, give them less than what you calculate based on their body weight.

For instance, you can feed your pet half of a teaspoon of avocado oil for every 20 lbs of body weight.

Can Dogs Eat Guacamole?

Avocado oil is safe for your canine companion to eat in small quantities, but you need to be careful when giving guacamole.

While this avocado dip is delicious, it contains several ingredients such as salt, garlic, and onions that may be harmful to your dog.

Guacamole may cause many problems, ranging from stomach pains to severe food poisoning.

The avocado dip may also contain onions and garlic, which may be dangerous for dogs as they can cause organ damage or kidney failure when consumed in large amounts.

What Alternatives Should You Feed Your Dog?

Avocados have some health benefits for your dog, but there are other alternatives that you can consider which contain lower amounts of fat.

Some of the vegetable alternatives are:

Carrots
Cabbage
Celery
Green beans
Broccoli
Peas

There are numerous fruits that you can offer your dog as healthy treats instead of avocado oil, such as:

Strawberries
Apples
Watermelon
Bananas
Pears
Blueberries
Oranges

Most fruits are high in sugar content, so feed them to your four-legged family member in moderate amounts.

How To Prepare and Serve Avocado Oil for Your Dog?

You can get avocado oil from any grocery shop near you.

When shopping, choose an avocado oil product with cold-pressed, organic, or extra virgin labels.

The best way to feed it to your dog is to add the recommended dosage to your dog’s regular food.

For topical use, dilute the avocado oil with water in a 3:1 ratio (three parts water to one part oil).

After using the avocado oil, always store it in a dark and cool place to prevent heat and light from destroying the ingredients.

What about dog foods that contain avocado oil?

Avocado oil has no health effects on your dog when in balanced and complete dog food.
The manufacturers usually remove persin or include it in moderation, leaving the food safe for your pooch to consume at the recommended levels.

Conclusion

Your dog can occasionally eat avocado oil in small amounts as it’s healthy and beneficial.

To ensure maximum health benefits and avoid complications, stick to the dosing guidelines and consult a veterinarian before adding avocado oil to your dog’s diet.

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Megan Turner

Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.

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