I’m obsessed with avocados. I seriously love them. Do you have a Lucky’s Market near you? They have avocados 3 for $1 (limit 6 so bring a false mustache) every couple months, and I stalk the bin. You know how the Portlandia folks put a bird on it? That’s my thing with avocados. Sandwich? Put an avocado on it. Pasta? Put an avocado on it. Eggs? Avocado. Even, no joke, chocolate mousse. It’s great for dry skin and dry hair, and because of all the rich fats in avocados, I seriously believe that eating a massive quantity of them helped my hair grow back so quickly after chemo.
You’re probably asking yourself: What the heck does this have to do with dogs?
Great question! I’ll tell you!
Let’s have a real quick primer on avocados:
They are a nutrient-dense superfood, rich in heart-healthy fats and omegas 3 and 6 fatty acids. On top of that, they have antiodidants, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients like vitamins A, C, E, and B6. We just love ’em around here! (He doesn’t look like he loves ’em in this pic. Ha! But, he’s earning his keep! 😉 )
I know there’s a lot of concern swirling about avocados being toxic to dogs. I’m not sure how that myth has propagated so wildly, but it is a myth! Avocados are toxic to horses and some birds, so maybe it was extrapolated from that? Or maybe it’s to prevent the pit from becoming a choking hazard? Anyway, you can read all about avocado toxicity on the ASPCA website here.
This is purely anecdotal “evidence” but when John and I were in Guatemala, we spotted street dogs snitching avocados from the overflowing baskets of roadside vendors. As soon as the farmer turned to haggle with a potential customer, a dog would pop out and grab an avocado, then trot off to enjoy the spoils. It was absolutely adorable and very funny.
Please tell me I’m not the only one with an avocado obsession. Are you an avocado fan like me? Have you tried avocados or avocado-related products for your pup?
I’d love to hear your experiences or questions you have about that food that I should look into for my next post!
So nice to see Lucas! Takes some great talent to keep an avocado on one’s head while balancing on 3 legs. 🙂
Like avocados .. not quite as much as you. Was gonna say “gross”, but the mousse recipe sounds interesting — thanks! p.s. Will AvoDerm make Avocado-flavored sticks? 🙂
Let me know what you think if you try it!! I’ve been on a kick of finding ingredient-replacement recipes, like substituting avocado or sweet potato for junkier ingredients. Some… not so great. 😉
Avocado’s are expensive here, but my mom loves them and like you tries to find lots of ways to eat them….we never knew she could share them with us though.
stella rose
It’s so true. That’s why I stalk those sales! 🙂 If you give an avocado a taste, let us know what you think!!
I lived briefly in avocado-land in the 1980s, where many dogs had shiny lush coats from scavenging fallen avocados. So when, a few years ago, I heard they were toxic to dogs, I could only say “huh?”. Thanks for firmly debunking the toxicity myth, and for providing the ASPCA link to confirm it. Looking forward to hearing how the revolving diet experiment goes.
Love that anecdotal evidence! Thanks for sharing that! I think the internet allows things–true or not–to spread far too fast. I’m glad to help debunk this myth because, like you witnessed, I think avocados do great things for skin and coat!
I love avocados too!! But I hate chocolate avocado or avo icecream… blech!!
Interesting about them being ok for dogs though!
Avocado ice cream?!?! Seriously! I don’t think I would like that much either? I read somewhere a long time ago something avocado’s are nature’s mayonnaise, and that’s kind of how I think of them… and why I put it on everything… but ice cream? Hmnm.
Yes, I LOVE avocados, too. We have Lucky’s here, but they’ve never had them 3/$1! I wish! In the summer, Aldi’s has them for 69 cents sometimesand I usually get 8 for a week. I like to have at least one a day when they’re cheap and also make an avocado spread or dip and have them on sandwiches.
I really like to eat them plain, just halved with the pit place filled with olive oil and lemon juice. YUM!
I could eat this with every meal. Always wondered why they said avocados were toxic to dogs. If they don’t hurt US how bad could they be? Glad to hear I can now share with my vegy-loving furkids.
Thanks so much for that info.
Hope your kids are doing well. They look great.
We’ll have to have dinner sometime and share our love for avocado! 🙂 I just saw a recipe for grilled so may have to give that a whirl.
Everyone’s holding on strong here! Lucas is still so strong and silly, so we’re soaking up every moment and enjoying it. Thank you for the kind words!!
I couldn’t help but laugh when it said I lick the Avocados because that it is what my dogs does. He licks everything when I turn my head. LOL!
HAHA! I’m glad Emmett’s not the only one! He thinks he’s soooo sneaky, but he has no idea how loud he is when he licks things! 🙂
Not afflicted with an avocado obsession – although my daughter is. Just recently saw the AvoDerm Revolving Menu. I’ll be curious to see how it goes for you!
I love that you called it an affliction! A couple weeks ago, John was like, “You know… with avocados… I can really take them or leave them.” Gasp. 😉
I’ll definitely let you know how it goes. I’m really invested in rotational feeding with these guys. I like how this one line allows you to do it without any real risks of an adverse reaction.
My dog vomited for 6 hours after sneaking some of my Avocado Pesto Pasta. I do not feed my dogs avocado but yes I am avocado obsessed for myself. There was no pine nuts in my dish. I have no idea what else could have caused her vomiting unless it was the garlic in it.
Ugh. I’m so sorry that happened. Garlic IS on the list of toxic foods… it’s in the onion family, and I think some people believe it’s okay in small doses, but it’s one I’ve always avoided. I should look into that more just to be extra sure!
Some nice photos and cool stories as always. Keep posting so nice stuff! 🙂
Thank you!!
I have never liked avocados. Blech! I don’t like guacamole either. Stands to reason, right? Anyway, since I don’t like them and hubby is neutral I just don’t buy them.
As for the AvoDerm Rotational Diet, please let me know how Cooper does with it. While I know each dog is a unique individual, Ducky and Shadow both also have super-sensitive tummies. And I’m beginning to think that the gnats, flies, mosquitoes, and other flying critters that live in the grass aren’t the only things making them itch. (No fleas – we’ve been lucky so far.) I might check out the AvoDerm. I’m just afraid the switch will upset their tummies.
PS. Lucas looks GREAT! I’m glad to see that! Callie went downhill so fast we didn’t really have a chance to spoil her as much as we wanted to. So, we’re doting on Shadow and Ducky. I still do all I can to maintain their weight, but they get the extra love and attention.
Thank you so, so much! We’ve been lucky in so many ways. He’s doing great overall… big bursts of energy followed by lots of naps. He has a checkup next week. He’s developed a wheeze/rattle in his chest when he’s panting and started slight bits of coughing, but–truly–in between that, he’s a total maniac! He was even chasing Newt this week (which he is NOT allowed to do, cancer or no cancer!)
I adore that first picture.
what a cutie pie.
These posts are making me more and more interested in Avoderm