General Question Avocado ... Toxic but how toxic?

Chunksmama

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Clayton (14 month old skin child for those who don't know) was eating avocado today and decided to share with Chunk like he does all his food. Thankfully I caught it before Chunk got it but I was wondering at what point should I freak out? It was a little piece, no bigger than about a teaspoon. Is that enough to be dangerous?
 

bullmama

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Clayton (14 month old skin child for those who don't know) was eating avocado today and decided to share with Chunk like he does all his food. Thankfully I caught it before Chunk got it but I was wondering at what point should I freak out? It was a little piece, no bigger than about a teaspoon. Is that enough to be dangerous?

No I don't think so! [MENTION=2092]JAKEISGREAT[/MENTION] had a chubby dog from eating so many and Avoderm is made with avocado! I'm not saying give them any but not sure how poisonous the are. It's not like grapes, onions, raisins... But my mother used to feed our dogs frozen grapes as snacks when I was growing up.


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bullmama

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No I don't think so! [MENTION=2092]JAKEISGREAT[/MENTION] had a chubby dog from eating so many and Avoderm is made with avocado! I'm not saying give them any but not sure how poisonous the are. It's not like grapes, onions, raisins... But my mother used to feed our dogs frozen grapes as snacks when I was growing up. :eek:


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JAKEISGREAT

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Clayton (14 month old skin child for those who don't know) was eating avocado today and decided to share with Chunk like he does all his food. Thankfully I caught it before Chunk got it but I was wondering at what point should I freak out? It was a little piece, no bigger than about a teaspoon. Is that enough to be dangerous?

No! My dogs love avocados. We have avocado trees and our dogs have always eaten them. In fact, Jakes mom even ate them while nursing to help keep her weight on. Had a Dobe who ate 8 in one day! The only thing that could be bad is if they ate the pit. And never as a dog of mine eaten the pit..not even Jake! I asked my vet why they are on the toxic list and she said no idea..they aren't toxic. I mean..think about it..would a dog food company build an entire line around a toxic food!
 

Vikinggirl

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Avocado
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Poisonous to: Cats, Dogs, Cows, Birds


Level of toxicity: In dogs and cats: mild. In other species (e.g., birds, ruminants, etc.), moderate to severe.


Common signs to watch for:


In dogs and cats:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Lack of stool production
In birds:
Inability to perch
Difficulty breathing
Organ failure
Death
In ruminants:
Acute death
Avocado contains a toxin called persin, but despite the rumors, avocado is not poisonous to dogs, nor likely to cats. Only certain species are poisoned by persin. While dogs and cats don’t seem to be affected by persin, avocado poisoning can be deadly to birds and large animals (such as cattle). The bigger risk to dogs and cats is a foreign body obstruction, which can occur if the dog swallowed the whole large, round avocado seed; due to size alone, this seed can get stuck in the esophagus, stomach or intestinal tract of dogs.


Pet birds should never be fed avocado, as canaries, parakeets, cockatiels and large parrots are extremely susceptible to persin toxicity. Signs of persin poisoniong in birds includes the inability to perch, respiratory distress, fluid accumulation around the bird’s heart and lungs, liver and kidney failure, and acute death.


If you suspect your pet has avocado poisoning, call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately for treatment advice.


Poison type: Foods


Alternate names: Persea americana
 

Vikinggirl

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Avocados and Pets
Is This Fruit Toxic to Dogs, Cats and Birds?
Christine Gowen, Pet HealthZone Editor




My yellow Labrador retriever, Shelby, is nuts about avocados.


At a certain time of year, Shelby would make a habit of disappearing around the side of a neighbor’s house, then heel to us grudgingly while licking her chops.


Upon further investigation, we once discovered her down on her elbows beneath the neighbor’s avocado tree, her paws griping one of its fallen ripe fruit while she gnawed on the thick skin enthusiastically. She then put up a long chase before relenting and giving up her treasure.


At the time, we were alarmed; we had been told that avocados were poisonous to dogs and cats.


A dog park debate ensued: Was it the avocado leaves, the pit or the skin that was toxic? Someone had heard that avocados were toxic to birds, too. But wasn’t avocado an ingredient in pet food?


We wanted to know: What’s the truth about avocados and pets?


Avocado History
An avocado—rich in potassium, fiber and the “good” fat—is native to Central Mexico but can be cultivated in tropical and Mediterranean climates. A single avocado tree can produce more than 500 avocados each year.


Known as the “fertility fruit” by Aztecs, an avocado dating back to 10,000 B.C. was discovered in a Coxcatlan, Puebla, Mexico cave. Clearly, this fruit was popular long before it became a staple at Super Bowl games and summer barbecues.


Interesting facts: An avocado yields 60% more potassium than a banana and is also called an alligator pear and butter fruit in other parts of the world.


Is An Avocado Toxic to Dogs and Cats?


This much is true: Parts of an avocado contain an oil-soluble toxin called persin. Specifically, the fruit’s seed, bark and leaves are composed of this toxic, fatty acid derivative.


But is persin poisonous to our dogs and cats?


“Despite the rumors, avocado is not poisonous to dogs, nor likely to cats,” says Dr. Justine Lee, a board-certified emergency critical care veterinary specialist and the associate director of Veterinary Services at Pet Poison Helpline, an animal poison control based out of Minneapolis, MN.


“Dogs and cats don’t seem to be affected by persin,” explains Lee. “However, birds and large animals (such as horses and cattle) have issues with persin toxicity, as it can be deadly in these species.


“The bigger risk to dogs and cats is the foreign body obstruction that can occur when the avocado seed is ingested—it’s a large seed and can get stuck in the esophagus, stomach or intestinal tract.”


So, while avocado is safe for our dogs and cats to eat, the best bet is to limit their access to the fruit itself. This can prevent accidental choking as well as unexpected emergency surgery to remove the golf ball-sized pit from within your pet’s body.


Pet birds, however, should never be fed avocado.


Avian and Avocado Toxicity


According to Lee, birds such as canaries, parakeets, cockatiels and large parrots are extremely susceptible to persin toxicity.


Owners should avoid feeding their birds fresh avocado or even packaged, ready-to-serve guacamole.


Symptoms of persin toxicosis in birds includes the inability to perch, respiratory distress, congestion, fluid accumulation around the bird’s heart and lungs and liver and kidney failure.


If caught in time, your bird can receive treatment for avocado poisoning; however, due to a bird’s high metabolic rate and unique anatomy (including air sacs), many birds do not survive once exposed to avocado or other dangerous poisons.


Concerns about Poisons and Pets
Most veterinarians would recommend that we use the “better be safe than sorry” approach when it comes to feeding our pets table scraps and foods usually reserved for our dinner plates.


If you have concerns about fruits, vegetables and other foods that you might considering feeding your pet, make sure to discuss first with your veterinarian to avoid any accidental poisoning or gastrointestinal issues. There are numerous foods that have proven to be toxic to our pets.


One step to ensure my pet’s safety? Making sure that my adventurous—and insatiably hungry—Labrador can no longer rummage for a snack in my neighbor’s yard.




Return to the Pet Health Zone




Christine Gowen, managing editor of the VPI Pet HealthZone, has enjoyed a menagerie of pets throughout her lifetime, including dogs, cats and exotic critters such as guinea pigs, hamsters, black-hooded rats, a mouse, and even a chicken. Along with her husband, she is the proud parent of four kids—two of which are her beloved Labrador retrievers.


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cali baker

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It's good to know that I can give my boys a little avocado here and there. I know they're going to love the taste! Thanks for the info :)
 

cali~jenn

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Mine like it, along with everything else. I do not give it regularly only because it costs me a fortune. I have a tree planted and so help me gawd it better grow! We eat them like ad and after throwing out my baby tree from the winter frost I am hoping this one being bigger will last. :lol: they do say it is the perfect fruit. :)
 
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Chunksmama

Chunksmama

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Ok you all made me feel SO much better. I did google it and it seems the imported ones are more the problem! Wish I lived in a climate where we could grow them; they are an absolute staple in my house!


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JAKEISGREAT

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Mar 25, 2011
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Mine like it, along with everything else. I do not give it regularly only because it costs me a fortune. I have a tree planted and so help me gawd it better grow! We eat them like ad and after throwing out my baby tree from the winter frost I am hoping this one being bigger will last. :lol: they do say it is the perfect fruit. :)


Road trip to my house! I will let you know when they are ready..maybe Conway can come by and pick up a bag...
 

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