This is our latest post in the series covering foods that your dog can / should eat or avoid completely. We break it down into bitesize articles and will cover everything from artichokes to antelope! These are all extracts from Jo’s upcoming book called “Can My Dog Eat This?”

Green and full of healthy fats, today we’re looking at avocados!

Avocados have a reputation for being poisonous for dogs because parts of the plant contain a toxin named persin, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and breathing problems. However, only the seed, skin and leaves contain high amounts of persin.

Avocado flesh only contains trace amounts of persin, and is actually jam packed full of health benefits for your dog.

The flesh contains plenty of healthy fats and boosts the bioavailability of fat-soluble vitamins (A,D, E and K) found in other foods. The avocado also contains magnesium, calcium, potassium, vitamin C, folate and vitamin E.

They make an ideal treat for your dog, but be sure to only give them the fleshy part (the same part you eat). Taking care to remove the skin and the pit.

Stay tuned for more "Can My Dog Eat This?" posts.

About these posts...

Well, a sea change is taking place in the world of pet nutrition. More and more owners are moving away from processed dry and tinned foods towards more natural, healthy diets for their pets. With this shift comes considerable confusion and misinformation. Are blackberries poisonous? Is garlic good or bad for dogs? What about avocado?

There is an important distinction between what dogs can eat and what dogs should eat. As with humans, dogs need a balanced diet to thrive. These posts will hopefully give you a steer in the right direction!