It’s not always easy to know which human foods you can and can’t feed your pup. And avocado oil is one ingredient that you might see contradictory claims about. Is avocado oil bad for dogs or does it offer them potential health benefits? Could both be true? Time to find out.
Can dogs eat avocado?
Before we ask ‘Can dogs have avocado oil?’, let’s discuss the fruit it comes from. Can dogs have avocado? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. Avocados contain a fungicidal toxin called persin, which is generally safe for us but can be harmful to our pups. However, you’ll find the highest concentrations of persin in the pits and skin of the fruit. While there is some in the flesh, the levels are much lower.
What does this mean in practical terms? If your pooch swipes a slice of avocado from your plate and gobbles it down, they should be fine.(1) Dogs are less sensitive to persin than some other animals (like birds and horses), and a small quantity is normally ok. However, you shouldn’t offer them large amounts of the fruit or let them nibble on the skin or stone. Not only do these contain higher quantities of persin, but the pit is also a choking hazard. And although avocado flesh isn’t toxic, it’s not an ingredient our canine companions should munch on very often. If they consume too much of it, they may experience tummy troubles like vomiting or diarrhoea. And that’s no fun for you or for them!
Don’t panic if you see ‘avocado meal’ on the ingredients list of your pooch’s grub though. Made by drying and grinding the flesh of the fruit, it contains minimal persin and is safe for canine consumption.(2) Furthermore, it’s a great source of fibre, beneficial fatty acids, and vitamins.
That covers most parts of the fruit, but what about the focus of today’s article? Is avocado oil bad for dogs?
What is avocado oil?
Avocado oil is a natural product that we get by pressing the flesh of the fruit. People describe it as having a mildly grassy, slightly nutty flavour, and the colour can range from pale yellow to deep green depending on the variety. It’s rich in beneficial fatty acids, including an omega-9 fatty acid called oleic acid, as well as carotenoids like lutein, antioxidants, and several vitamins. We humans use it for cooking, haircare and skincare, and evidence suggests it also supports our heart and eye health. So, is avocado oil good for dogs too? Or is avocado oil bad for dogs because it contains persin?
Is avocado oil safe for dogs?
Although there is some persin in avocado oil, the amount is negligible. As such, the ingredient is not toxic to our pups in small quantities. This is similar to avocado flesh, which is where we get the oil from. In fact, you might even spot avocado oil in the ingredients list of commercial dog foods. That’s because it offers some potential wellness advantages for our furry friends, as we’ll discuss below.
However, it’s important to recognise that moderation is key. Both avocado flesh and avocado oil are high in fat. While many of the fats they contain – like oleic acid – have health benefits, consuming too much can cause problems. All of which means that the answer to the question ‘Is avocado oil bad for dogs?’ depends on the amount they eat.
Of course, just because your pooch can eat something, it doesn’t mean that they should. So, where does avocado oil fall on this spectrum? Do the benefits outweigh the risks or not?
Potential benefits of avocado oil for dogs
Not only is avocado oil safe for dogs in small doses, but it could also be beneficial for them. For example, it contains a carotenoid called lutein that helps support eye health and the immune system. As an antioxidant, it protects your pup’s retinas from free radical damage and could delay age-related visual decline.(3) Is avocado oil good for dogs because it’s the only way to add lutein to their diet? No, it’s merely one of many. Other fantastic sources include carrots, broccoli, blueberries, and dark leafy greens.
Another antioxidant that avocado oil has in spades is vitamin E. Like lutein, this nutrient cares for your pooch’s vision and immune system. In addition, it can help to lessen inflammation, support normal metabolism, and aid joint health. Vitamin E is also crucial for keeping your mutt’s fur and skin in tip-top condition. It ensures their skin stays hydrated and protects their follicles from damage, tackling irritation, dry skin, and hair loss.
Is avocado oil bad for dogs because it contains fats? Not necessarily. While we often think of fat as being uniformly unhealthy for us and our pets, the reality is more nuanced. In small doses, some fats – including those in avocado oil – offer benefits for wellbeing. For instance, oleic acid can help keep your pooch’s skin and fur moisturised. This reduces issues like flakiness and inflammation, plus gives their coat a beautiful shine. Meanwhile, linoleic acid – another component of avocado oil – supports your mutt’s natural skin barrier. This works to further retain moisture and ensure their fur stays glossy and soft.(4)
The risks of avocado oil for dogs
Not only can dogs eat avocado oil, but it could offer them some potential wellness benefits. However, like whole avocados, the ingredient is not without its risks. First, although the amount of persin it contains is small, it isn’t zero. If your pooch consumes large amounts of avocado flesh or oil, it could irritate their stomach and cause digestive troubles. There are also reports of two dogs developing heart failure after eating a lot of avocados over a long time.
Is avocado oil bad for dogs for any other reasons aside from its persin content? It could be. As you may know, the ingredient is high in fat. And while many fatty acids it contains have wellness benefits, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. If your pup consumes a lot of avocado or avocado oil, they can experience tummy issues like vomiting and diarrhoea.
And just like us, excessive consumption of fatty foods raises the probability of weight gain in our pets. This is definitely something we want to avoid, because obesity has a negative effect on our pups’ quality of life. It increases the risk of a number of harmful conditions, including arthritis, kidney disease, respiratory trouble, and cardiovascular disease. Being obese could also shorten your furry friend’s life expectancy.
In addition, eating high-fat foods may cause pancreatitis in dogs. This is a painful condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed and starts to digest itself. Even one fatty meal can trigger pancreatitis in our pooches. As such, it’s really important to be careful if you decide to give them avocado oil.
How can dogs have avocado oil safely?
Let’s recap. Is avocado oil bad for dogs? Not necessarily – it has some potential wellness benefits, but could be harmful if they consume too much of it. So, how can dogs have avocado oil safely?
The key issue to consider is quantity. Avocado oil is not something that your pooch should be eating every day. Likewise, they only need a tiny amount of the ingredient to enjoy its health-supporting properties. Never allow your pet to ingest large quantities of the oil. If you choose to add it to their diet, mix a couple of drops into their normal food on occasion. That’s it!
We recommend that you consult a vet before giving your pup avocado oil or any similar ingredients. This is to check that it’s suitable for their individual needs. It’s especially important to do this if your mutt has an existing health condition or is on any medication. For example, if your pooch is at increased risk of pancreatitis, fatty oils might not be safe for them.
You could also consider using avocado oil topically. Applying small amounts to your pup’s skin and hair may help moisturise them both. This makes it useful for treating conditions like dry or flaky skin and increasing the glossiness of their fur. However, it’s best to monitor your pooch after using it in case they experience a negative reaction or are allergic. As well as applying it straight from the bottle, you can add a couple of drops to a dog-friendly shampoo.
Finally, always choose a high-quality product. For instance, unrefined varieties tend to retain more of the fruit’s nutrients than refined oils.
Alternatives to avocado oil for dogs
Is avocado oil bad for dogs? It doesn’t have to be, provided that you use it sparingly. Having said that, there are safer alternatives that offer comparable benefits. For example, you can apply coconut oil to their coat and skin to moisturise and soothe irritation. Along similar lines, fish oil and flaxseed oil are both wonderful sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Alternatively, if you want to add more vitamin E to your pooch’s diet, you could try salmon, eggs, and spinach.
Here at Boosie, we offer a range of canine-friendly, cold-pressed oils that can support your pup’s wellbeing. Our sea buckthorn oil is bursting with beta-carotene, antioxidants, and omega-7 fatty acids, helping care for your mutt’s eye, skin, and coat health. Meanwhile, chia seed oil is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that tackle inflammation and promote heart health. It also contains plenty of vitamin E to protect your pooch’s cells from free radical damage. Milk thistle oil is another fantastic choice, as it’s chock-full of vitamin E, beneficial fatty acids, and antioxidants.
As with avocado oil, we recommend consulting a vet before adding any functional foods like these to your pet’s diet. This is to make sure that they’re suitable for your furry friend’s individual needs. Whichever oil you pick, simply mix it into your pup’s normal wet food. The specific amount will depend on your mutt’s weight, so check the instructions carefully. These oils are for fully grown animals only, and we don’t advise giving them to pregnant or lactating pooches. They’re also not a replacement for professional veterinary care or medicine.
Other ways to care for your dog’s eyes, skin, and fur
If this discussion of the question ‘Is avocado oil bad for dogs?’ has inspired you to find safer ways to get similar benefits, try the following tips:
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Brush your pooch regularly to prevent mats, remove dead hair, and distribute natural oils over the skin. Depending on their breed, you may also want to take them to a professional groomer
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Only bathe your mutt when necessary, as doing it too frequently can dry out their skin. When you do pop them in the bath, use a special dog shampoo (they can't share yours!)
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If you notice any discharge or dirt around your pup’s eyes, gently wipe it away with a soft, damp cloth
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Take your pet for regular checkups at the vet, so they can spot and treat any issues early
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Use flea and tick treatments to prevent pests and parasites
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Feed your furry friend a healthy and balanced diet to ensure they get all the nutrients they require
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Try to keep your pooch away from smoky and dusty environments that could irritate or damage their eyes
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Protect your mutt’s skin from sunburn by limiting their sun exposure when it’s very hot
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Make sure your pup gets plenty of mental and physical exercise to keep them happy and healthy
So, is avocado oil bad for dogs or not?
While small amounts of avocado oil are safe (and even beneficial) for dogs, the ingredient is not without its downsides. Because of this, many experts recommend feeding it to your pup either very sparingly or not at all. There are other foods that offer similar benefits for eye, skin, and coat health but without the risk of weight gain or tummy troubles. Alternatively, you could choose a commercial dog food that contains avocado meal. Assuming your pet enjoys the taste!
