I spend a good amount of time deep researching whether cats can eat avocados.
Lets deep in a bit more on why you should be careful with avocado for your cat and how you can safely give it to your cat if you really want to.
Can Cats Eat Avocados?
According to Pet Poison Helpline, avocado is not particularly toxic to cats in small amounts but it should be avoided as the risk outweighs the benefits.
The toxic chemical in avocados is called persin which can cause adverse effects in cats, although not life threatening unless consumed in large amounts.
The additional risk to cats is from the avocado pit or seed which ingested can cause blockages in the intestine which can cause serious health issues.
Cats with pancreas issues should avoid avocado completely due to the extremely high fat content in avocados.
Are All Parts of The Avocado Bad?
All parts of the avocado contain persin and it’s not advised to feed your cat any part of the avocado.
The pit along with the containing persin is also a major choking hazard and can also cause intestinal blockage which may cost you a trip to the vet.
A good rule of thumb for avocado is whatever you don’t eat of the avocado, your cat can’t eat it as well. You also have to take into consideration that the cat’s digestive system is very different from a human’s digestive system and they process food much differently than humans.
Always consult your vet before giving any new food to your pet.
How Much Avocado Can You Safely Give a Cat?
If you are adamant in giving your cat avocado, you should always give a very small amount of avocado flesh. Avocado flesh is considered safe for cats in small amounts. But please don’t make it part of their daily routine, toxins can start adding up if consistently fed.
Remove the skin and throw away the pit of the avocado, then cut the flesh into small pieces. It is recommended to give your cat about one tablespoon or 15 grams of avocado flesh based on their body weight.
Always consult your vet on the safest amount to give your cat based on their weight and other health conditions.
Signs of Avocado Poisoning in Cats
If your cat eats a large amount of avocado or is allergic to avocado, they may experience one or all of the below symptoms.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Difficult Breathing
- Coughing
- Fever
- Increased Heart Rate
- Stool Obstruction
- Abdominal Pain
- Pancreatitis due to the high fat content in avocados
If your cat shows any of the above symptoms after eating avocado, take them to the vet immediately.
What to Do If Your Cat Has Eaten Avocado?
If your cat has eaten avocado, do not panic. Keep a close eye on your four legged friend for any of the above symptoms.
Remove any remaining food from their mouth and fur. Take a note of how much avocado your cat has eaten.
Call or take your cat to the vet and inform them about the amount that has been consumed.
If your cat has eaten something that contains avocado as part of their ingredient, take that with you to the vet so that the vet can analyse it properly.
What Fruits Are Safe for Cats?
If you want to treat your cat to a piece of fruit, there are many safer alternatives to avocado that you can use as a treat to your cat. Some of the safe fruits are:
- Seedless Watermelon
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Bananas
- Zucchini
- Celery
- Carrots
- Pumpkin
Make sure whatever you are feeding your cat is safe. Here is a list of 47 Human Foods Cats Can’t Eat!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens If A Cat Licks An Avocado?
If it is a small amount, your cat should be absolutely fine. Make sure to hide away the remaining fruit. Remove any excess food from the mouth and fur. Watch out for any of the above symptoms and call your vet.
Can Cats Eat Avocado Oil?
Yes, cats can safely consume very small amounts of avocado oil safely as it contains much lesser amounts of persin. But it has a higher fat content so don’t make it part of their daily diet.
Another advantage of avocado is that it is much easily absorbed in the cat’s body and is much less dangerous than raw avocado flesh.
Can Cats Eat Guacamole?
No, cats should not eat guacamole. Guacamole contains garlic and onions which are very toxic for cats and never to be given to cats. If your cat has eaten guacamole, measure the amount of guacamole has eaten and take your cat to the vet immediately.
Can Kittens Eat Avocado?
Kittens cannot eat avocados! Kittens immune system is yet not fully developed and they would not be able to process the persin in the avocado. Their stomach is always much more sensitive than adult cats and will most definitely will have an adverse reaction to avocado.
It is best to avoid giving avocado to your kitten.
Can Cats Eat Avocado Skin?
Avocado skin doesn’t have any nutritional value for cats and is full of persin. It is best that you not feed any part of the avocado that you yourself would not eat.
What is Persin in Avocado?
Persin is a fungicidal toxin present in avocados. It is usually harmless to humans but is quite dangerous for animals, especially birds, horses. See the full details here.
The Bottom Line
Although the risk associated with avocados is small, we still advise to not feed your cat avocado. There are many alternatives that are safer and healthier for your cat that you can treat your cat with.
Make sure all avocados and avocado based food are stored away safely where your cat can’t reach them.
