Pugs are intelligent dogs. However, that doesn’t stop them from eating things that may be potentially harmful to them. Dogs are omnivores so they can safely eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in addition to meat. So the question is can pugs eat avocados?
Avocados are fairly versatile when it comes to being an ingredient. You can put it on toast, in salads, and you can even turn it into everyone’s favorite dip, the Guacamole. If you don’t like any of those, you can even eat it raw with just a dash of sugar or a splash of salt and pepper.
They are highly nutritious, too. No wonder why you want to share it with your pug. In this article, we will answer the question: can pugs eat avocados.
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Can Pugs Eat Avocado?
Yes, pugs can eat avocados. It is best given in small amounts as an occasional treat or snack to be on the safe side. However, You have to remove the pit and peel all the skin before giving it to your dog.
Why is this? Avocados, especially their leaves and skin, contain Persin. It is a fungicidal toxin that can cause fatal health problems to many animals. If not treated immediately or ingested in large amounts, it might even cause the death of your beloved pet.
However, this should be the least of your concern. Just make sure to fully clear the flesh of skin and pit, Avocados should be safe for your dog.
You want to know: What do pugs eat?
Benefits of Avocado To Pugs
Avocados are so popular in the culinary world of humans. Aside from their versatility as an ingredient, they are highly rich in nutrients, too. This nutritional value is also as beneficial to dogs as it is to humans.
One of the things that avocados are famous for is their high-fat content. The good thing is it is monounsaturated fat. Commonly called “good fat” it helps in reducing bad cholesterol if eaten in moderation.
Another benefit that avocados provide is their richness in calories. This means that one can get plenty of energy for the day if one eats the right amount of avocados.
Other benefits include:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B3 (niacin)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Amino acids
- Potassium
- Fiber
- Magnesium
- Folate
- Antioxidants
How to Give Avocado to your Dog
If you’re keen on giving avocados to your dog, it is important to know what you’re doing. This is because you need to reduce any risk that it may present to your Pug. Here’s how you can safely feed Avocados to your Pug.
- Keep the portion sizes small – Even if the fruit only contains small amounts of persin, you still need to make sure to feed only small amounts to your dog. By doing so, you avoid feeding excess fat contents outside your dog’s system.
- Make sure to only give the fruit – Persin is even more prominent within an avocado’s stem, bark, leaves, or even skin. Before giving the fruit to your dog, make sure to remove the skin completely. Remember to remove the pit as well as it poses a choking hazard when swallowed.
- Give your dog plain avocados – Feeding guacamole to your dog is a big no-no. Although the dip is tasty for us, it contains other ingredients that are very dangerous to our dogs like onions, garlic, and salt.
Risks of Feeding Avocados to Pugs
As we have said earlier, there is something called Persin which can be found in Avocados. This substance is toxic to most birds and cattle. Persin can be found in all parts of the avocado, including the tree itself.
When it comes to our pets, veterinarians say that dogs are more resistant to dogs when compared to other animals. However, this doesn’t mean that avocados are completely safe for dogs to eat.
If only fed with the ripened fruit, the chances of persin poisoning among dogs are extremely low. However, you still need to be fully aware of the risks before you feed the fruit to your dog. Here are some of them:
- Choking Hazard: the pit is not safe for dogs to eat as it is a choking hazard. While it might seem soft and flexible, they are extremely difficult to chew and break down and thus, would easily get stuck on the esophagus.
- Gastrointestinal Blockage: If ingested unintentionally, the stem, skin, and pit of avocados are very difficult to digest. When consumed, these parts may block the stomach or intestines and might cause severe complications. Some symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, stool obstruction, and pancreatitis.
- Allergies: Even if the fruit is prepared correctly, there are still chances that your dog is allergic to avocados. In an off chance that Pug is allergic to it, it might lead to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-ending condition.
Conclusion
Avocados are safe for dogs to eat as long as you give them to them in moderate amounts. They have plenty of nutritional benefits that can improve the health of your dog. That said, it also comes with risks and dangers. However, if you remain vigilant, these can be easily prevented.
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In the off chance that anything happens to your dog, never forget to call your veterinarian immediately.
