Any time you notice an issue in your dog, find a solution online, and consider using that home remedy, it's important to measure out the risks. Avocado oil is one such natural remedy to things like immune health and joint health.
Avocado oil includes antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats - all of which are known to support various aspects of health. On the flip side, there are risks to using avocado oil for dogs as a home remedy. This article explores both sides of the issue, and offers some tips for safe use at home.
Avocado Oil Can Be Safe for Dogs, But Avocados are Not
Never give your dogs avocados whole, sliced, or mashed. Avocados contain a toxin called persin which can lead to digestive issues, respiratory issues, heart irregularities, and lethargy.
Persin is heavily present in the skin, pits, and flesh of avocados. It's also present in the avocado oil, but not in amounts that are toxic to dogs in weight-appropriate amounts.
Additional risk: The pit of an avocado could certainly get lodged in a dogs esophagus and cause them to choke. This makes whole avocados a choking hazard for dogs.
What are The Risks of Avocado Oil for Dogs?
Avocado oil is generally safe for dogs in weight-appropriate amounts when it's unrefined. Still, there are risks if you're not careful with dosages and product selection.
The main risk of avocado oil for dogs is over-supplementation. Avocado oil is high in fats and very calorie-dense. Overuse can lead to weight can, and even exacerbate conditions like arthritis or pancreatitis.
It's wise to avoid avocado oil if your dog is vulnerable to pancreatitis, digestive issues, or extensive allergies. Of course, your veterinarian knows best. If they have suggested avocado oil, follow their guidance.
Choose The Safest Avocado Oil for Your Dog
The first thing to do is make sure that your avocado oil isn't "pure" or "refined."
Pure avocado oil is typically the same thing as refined avocado oil, and you want to avoid these for your dog. Pure or refined avocado oil has been reduced to its core elements in an extraction process that could leave potential chemical residues from that processing.
- Avoid Pure & Refined Avocado Oils: These have been refined, and there are potential chemical residues from the processing.
- Risks of Processed Avocado Oil: The leftover chemicals or impurities in processed avocado oil could cause digestive upset or allergic symptoms in some dogs.
The risks of these negative symptoms are low, every dog is different and it's always best to air on the side of caution.
The Safest Options for Dogs are Cold-Pressed and Virgin Avocado Oil
Cold-pressed and virgin avocado oil are better for dogs because they're minimally processed, and they retain more of the vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients that can help dogs' overall health and wellness.
These options are typically a little more expensive, it's worth the investment if you're using avocado oil to try and support your dog's wellness at home.
Potential Benefits of Avocado Oil for Dogs
The value of adding avocado oil to your dog's diet may not be worth it, as the healthy nutrients in avocado oil won't likely show noticeable benefits when it's ingested. If you incorporate a small amount of avocado oil into your dog's regular diet, the benefits of the nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants could positively influence your dog's health in the long run.
If you're going to use avocado oil in your dog's daily diet, the general rule is to use 1/4 teaspoon per day, per ten pounds of your dog's weight maxing out at roughly 2 teaspoons per day.
Start slow to monitor any reactions your dog may have to the oil.
Topical Avocado Oil Can Benefit a Dog's Skin & Coat
The most likely benefit of avocado oil for dogs is topical skin improvements. You can explore this option by massaging a small amount of avocado oil to the dry or flaky area of your dog's skin.
You might find that your dog is less itchy, the skin starts to heal a little more readily, and redness could reduce. These results aren't guaranteed, but the vitamins (E and A) and antioxidants in the oil could, and have produced these benefits in dogs.
Conclusion
Avocado oil isn't an ideal option to add into your dog's diet, particularly if you're looking to address a specific health issue with it. It could help your dog's overall wellness over time, but the odds are low that avocado oil will directly help your dog's health issues when it's ingested.
Applying avocado oil directly to your dog's skin can offer some topical relief, potentially easing itchiness, dryness, and redness. Considering the risks of avocado oil for dogs, it may be best to avoid adding it to their diet, instead applying it topically to help with skin health.
