Can Cats Eat Avocado?

-by Abhrajita Mondal

–Reading Time – 7 min Approx

Are you worried about your cat’s diet? Or, you just brought home a new pet cat and want to know about its eating habits. Well, whatever the reason is, you should stop right here. There is a common question that pet parents often ask? ‘What can I feed my pet’? Cats and dogs are the most common pets everywhere. If you are a cat parent, you might wonder what your cat could eat. Can they eat fruits, vegetables or processed food? What about fats? Can cats eat Avocados? Before, we move on to that you should know certain things about avocados. 

Avocado is a green-colored fruit with rough skin. Some people also call them butter fruits. Why is it so? That’s because they are buttery and rich in fats. If you are looking forward to making guacamole dip, it will be the go-to fruit. Nowadays, health experts suggest having them for various meals. The reason is plain and simple.

They are rich in good fats that increase good cholesterol. So, is that why they are called superfruits? Avocados have nearly twenty different minerals and vitamins. They have potassium, folate, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and many more. Moreover, they are low in sugar and rich in fiber. So, you feel full for a longer time.

You will be amazed to know that they are great for human beings. Avocados can prevent diseases like cancer, arthritis, depression and inflammation in the body. Moreover, they can help with digestion. It prevents constipation. As they are rich in potassium, they have the power to reduce blood pressure. They are also great for heart health.

Two antioxidants are present in avocados and they are lutein and zeaxanthin. Both of them prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. Pregnant women need folate for their baby’s healthy brain and spine development. A single avocado can give at least 41 percent of that.

Can Cats eat Avocado?

Now, we come to where we started from. Can cats eat avocado? The answer to this question is ‘No’. Thus, the cat story is a bit different. Avocados contain a toxin called Persin. If any pet dog or cat eats it, it may harm them. There are certain signs that you need to watch out for. After cats eat avocados, they might vomit the entire thing out. Additionally, you will find them passing soft stool or watery ones. It can also lead to Pancreatitis. The effects are mild. However, if they swallow the pit, it may pose choking hazards.

The toxin Persin, was first reported in 1995. Before that, quite a few cases had been reported. However, no one knew the exact reasons for animal poisoning incidents. Persin is mainly concentrated in the leaves and the bark. However, you may also find it in the seeds and skin. A portion often percolates into the fruit flesh. You should not give your cat too much avocado oil. Moreover, there is no safe level as such for such foods.

Therefore, you should keep avocados out of your cat’s reach. Now, you must have got the answer to your question, ‘Can cats eat avocado’? Other animals, like horses and birds are severely affected by avocados. They might have a sudden cardiac arrest or death. So, you might be wondering about foods that these felines can eat.  Another question that pops up is ‘can cats eat guacamole’? No. They cannot eat it. Guacamole contains avocados.

So, don’t even allow your cat to lick the bowl. It is a strict no-no. It can put excess stress on the cat’s heart and digestive system. So, what can cats eat? Well, they can eat a variety of human foods.

What Can Cats Eat?

Cats primarily eat meat. However, they love fish too. If you are a new cat parent, you might want to explore your cat’s diet. Cats are carnivores. Meat is an important part of their diet. Animal protein is the primary nutrient that they rely on. They also love salmon, tuna, whitefish and trout. Cats need a higher amount of protein in their diets. It is typically higher than that of dogs. They love chicken, turkey and beef as well. However, you should not conclude that they eat nothing else. They eat non-proteinaceous foods as well.

There are few human foods that cats can have safely. You can give those foods to cats. Salmon is the first one that makes it to the list. It is a great source of proteins and omega-3 fatty acids. Some cat parents also provide salmon as a treat. Some parents often feed raw salmon to cats. However, doctors advise cooked salmon to be fed to cats. However, there is a catch here. They cannot eat all kinds of Salmon. Moreover, it should not be considered as the main protein source. One serving of the fish may prove to be good per day or in two-three days.

Secondly, you may have heard of cat allergies. For this very reason, you ought to check the reaction after you feed salmon for the first time. Most vets would advise you to wait for at least 24 hours after feeding your cat salmon for the very first time. You should also not feed your cat canned salmon. It contains lots of salmon.

That is the reason why, you can also feed your cat spinach. It is full of Vitamin A, K and C. Moreover, it also contains calcium and iron. However, you should abstain from feeding your cat spinach, if it has bladder stones. Now, you have an answer to the question ‘what can cats eat’? But, wait! There is more.

Food Choices for Your Pet Cat:

There are more cat-friendly human foods that we are going to talk about today. Fish oil-based cat supplements are quite a rage today. Moreover, fish oil is one food that suits both dogs and cats. Cod liver oil can keep your cat’s coat healthy. Another good source of protein is eggs. However, you need to give cooked eggs to your cat. Moreover, cats can also eat cantaloupe. It is high in anti-oxidants and beta-carotene. It is good for healthy eyes and skin. It is a cat-safe fruit that most vets would probably suggest.

You already know that cats are obligate carnivores. Their food requirements do match dog’s. However, they are not capable of digesting many dog-friendly foods. They love chicken very much, though. It is a great source of lean protein. You should always ensure to remove the skin and cook the chicken well. Apart from chicken, another food or rather a fruit that your cat will enjoy are bananas. They are rich in potassium and soluble fiber. Now, there must be another question in your mind.

Can cats eat bread? Well, bread is always there in the refrigerator. So, you might wonder if it is suitable for your cat. It is a cat-friendly food. You can give it to your cat. Moreover, blueberries and pumpkin are also an important part of the diet for cats. They contain the right kind of nutrients.

Can Dogs Eat Avocado?

We will come to that. But, first let us understand their food habits. Dogs are omnivores. Additionally, they can eat a variety of foods. Their diet includes fruits, vegetables, chicken and dog food. But, what about avocados? Dogs require at least 30 calories per pound of body weight. There may be such variations in dogs of bigger breeds and smaller ones. Some foods are extremely toxic to dogs. They are cheese, onions, garlic and chocolate. So, do not feed them these foods if you want them to remain healthy.

Now, we come to the question, ‘can dogs eat avocado’? Dogs can eat the flesh of avocados, if they like it. Avocados have a high concentration of the chemical Persin. It is present in the leaves, bark and the skin. Avocado flesh has a low content of this chemical in the flesh. A few thin slices of avocado will not harm your dog. You should avoid the pits as well. One avocado should be fine for medium-built dog.

Don’t feed them too much, as it can be detrimental to their stomach. Many companies are marketing avocado oil and avocado-based dog food. Neither of them contains Persin. So, you can feed it to your dog. However, before you feed your dog any sort of commercial food, watch out for reactions.

Many dog foods contain avocados. Moreover, they keep the coat shiny and in good health. Baking avocados is a great idea. You should watch out for diarrhea, vomiting, itching and other adverse reactions. If you see something out of place, you can go back to the old diet. Some of the foods are extremely sensitive to dogs.

So, ensure to keep a check on the meals you give them. Dogs are capable of digesting varied human foods, in comparison to cats. That seems like good news. If you are a pet-parent, you should be cautious of what you are serving your pet. They cannot differentiate between the good and the bad. However, you can. So, take adequate care to feed them good food and also consult a vet when necessary.

-by Abhrajita Mondal

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