Avocados are healthy and rich in good fat.
I am a sucker for avocado toast, and it is one my favorite breakfasts of all time! In fact, I almost always have some avocado at home!
And, my cat likes to sniff around and meow at me for some.
But, as you know, some human foods are toxic to cats and can have adverse health effects. So, it is always a good idea to look a food item up before you feed it to your fluffy friend.
In this blog post, I will answer the question, “Can cats have avocados?” as well as I possibly can.
Let’s start!
Can Cats Have Avocados?: Yes or No
According to the American Society of Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals, Avocados contain a toxin named Persin which is toxic to many pets including horses, goats, cattle, and birds.
However, cats are more resistant to this toxin.
So, in theory, yes, cats can have avocados.
But, just because a particular food isn’t toxic to cats, doesn’t mean it is safe for her to consume.
If taken in small quantities, avocados aren’t harmful to cats and can even have health benefits.
Avocados can cause your feline friend to have an upset stomach and can even lead to gastrointestinal disturbances. The biggest problem with avocados is the large size of the pit which makes it a choking hazard.
Not just that, the pit can even cause gastrointestinal disturbances and lead to the blocking of your kitty’s intestines which is very painful and may also require surgery!
So, while avocados aren’t toxic to cats, they are still risky.
Why Is Avocado Good For Cats?
Avocados are superfoods and provide your furry friend with some of the essential vitamins and nutrients around.
In this section of the blog, I will share a few health benefits of avocados for cats when they small quantities of skinned and pitted avocados.
Avocados are:
- Rich sources of potassium and contain 60% more of this mineral than a banana does!
- Excellent sources of dietary fiber
- Rich in essential omega fatty acids or “good fats”
- Good at helping your cat’s coat condition and skin health
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Rich in antioxidants that are beneficial to the immune system
- Rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and folate
- Great sources of niacin
- One of the best sources of protein as they contain 18 essential amino acids that aid in muscle development
While skinned and pitted avocados in small quantities are completely safe for cats to consume and have health benefits for your furry friend, you should try and avoid leaving them laying around on the kitchen counter as your cat may accidentally get her paws on them.
Accidental or unintentional consumption will be dangerous.
Signs If Something’s Wrong
It is true that some premium kitty foods do have avocados in them as a good source of nutrition, but, they need to be given to cats in just the right quantity and with the right preparation.
If your feline friend got his paws on some avocados while you weren’t watching then, look for the following signs:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lack of stool production
These signs indicate that something is wrong with your feline friend. So, in case you observe any of these, it will be a good idea to get in contact with your vet as soon as possible.
You may even need to seek emergency care.
Can Cats Have Avocados?
Avocados aren’t toxic to cats, and they can even be beneficial if given to them in the right quantities and with the proper preparation. An avocado must be washed, skinned, and pitted if you are serving it to your kitty.
However, since they are high in fat, they should be given to cats in a limited quantity.
Your cat doesn’t need any supplements in his diet as he gets all the nutrition that he needs from her cat food.
Did I answer all your questions? If not, let me know in the comments, and I will get back to you as soon as I can!