We humans just love avocado and in the US, around 2.6 billion pounds of these yummy, creamy fruits are consumed every single year. We love it smashed on toast, blended into guacamole, filled with balsamic, and covered in black pepper – it’s delicious, and great for your skin too!
As an avocado aficionado, there’s no doubt you have wondered if your feline friend can get stuck into this creamy green dream of fruit just like you. Would they benefit from it? Is it safe for them?
It is important to ask the question because some human foods are toxic to cats and mistakenly feeding them something that makes them unwell is just not the one. With that in mind, let’s answer the question: can cats eat avocado?
Can Cats Eat Avocado?
No. Can cats eat avocado meat? Can cats eat avocado oil? Can cats eat guacamole? Sadly it is a big no to all those common questions. Both cats and dogs should never have avocado because they contain something called Persin. Persin is a toxin that can cause a cat to:
- Vomit
- Suffer from diarrhea
- Get pancreatitis
- Suffer from stool obstruction
Some sources do say the effects of Persin toxicity is mild or even not seen sometimes, but it depends on the animal, so it really is never worth the risk.
In order to keep your kitty safe it is important to always prepare avocado away from them and ensure they can’t steal any from you. The seed should also not be given to them to play with as it could represent a choking hazard if small enough and they may lick residue from it.
Can Cats Eat Any Fruits?
You may wonder, can cats eat strawberries? Can cats eat watermelon? The fact is that there are lots of fruits that are not toxic to cats, such as bananas, but there are some, like avocados that are.
Primarily it is important to recognize that cats are obligate carnivores so they don’t digest plant matter well anyway, so fruit isn’t an appropriate snack for them. If they are obese or diabetic, the sugar in fruit is definitely something to avoid.
Instead, opting for specific kitty food and treats that are tried and tested is a great idea.
If your cat is prone to stealing fruit, try to keep them away from areas you eat or prepare food, or try to train them to stop begging.
If they do steal some of your fruit despite your best efforts, seek veterinary attention right away to check if they need to be seen. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Can Cats Eat Avocado? No!
Sadly kitties can’t enjoy our favorite creamy vitamin E treats, but there are so many amazing kitty suitable foods out there they are unlikely to miss out much at all. More avocado toast for us, dang it!