Fast question...

[Laura & Chewie]

Just curious...are avocados healthy for dogs like they are for us humans?  I can't remember seeing it mentioned either way.

Thanks!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's questionable. Here's some info from Wikipedia that suggests that they should be avoided:

"There is documented evidence that animals such as cats, dogs, cattle, goats, rabbits, rats, birds, fish, and horses[15][25] can be severely harmed or even killed when they consume the avocado leaves, bark, skin, or pit. The avocado fruit is poisonous to some birds, and the ASPCA and many other sites list it as toxic to many animals including cats, dogs, and horses.[26] Avocado is an ingredient in AvoDerm dog food[27] and cat food.[28] However, the ASPCA has declined to say whether this food is safe or not without knowing the details of how the avocado is processed.[29]
Avocado leaves contain a toxic fatty acid derivative known as persin, which in sufficient quantity can cause equine colic and, without veterinary treatment, death.[30] The symptoms include gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress, congestion, fluid accumulation around the tissues of the heart, and even death. Birds also seem to be particularly sensitive to this toxic compound. Feeding avocados or guacamole to any non-human animal should be avoided completely. Negative effects in humans seem to be primarily in allergic individuals."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avocado

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Most dogs don't have a big problem with cholesterol anyway, which is the main benefit for humans in eating avocados; they've been shown to help lower total serum cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, while raising HDL, in humans.
There are lots of other good fruits and veggies your dog will enjoy that are both safe and healthful.

[Minga & Malu & Costa]

We have two parrots and I can tell you that for birds avocados are DEADLY. Never ever give a bird avocado. I have also recently heard that avocados are toxic for dogs. But then you hear people saying sometimes they give their dog guacamole or avocado and nothing happens. Grapes are toxic to dogs as well, and it might take one grape to kill your dog or a whole pound of them. I have seen dogs in the clinic that ate one or two grapes die of organ failure. Large dogs, at that.

Better to be safe than sorry, and just not feed them those types of things!

[Laura & Chewie]

Wow...who would have known. I always err on the side of caution, so I definitely would not have given it to him without asking here or researching it myself. It's so interesting how foods can affect dogs so differently.

Oh...and I know the benefits of eating avocado, but my primary reason is because it's so delish! LOL.

[Tammy & Gracie]

Most dog/recipe books (especially newer ones) say no avocado.

[Terri H and Kramer]

Never thought that avocados could be toxic, our neighbor has a huge tree that hangs over our yard and drops them all the time! Kramer eats them and they also have 3 dogs, if they were toxic I sure would know it by now! My DH says he finds 6-12 avocado pits when he mows, and no skins so I think Kramer is eating that too. He acts perfectly normal and has no health issues, so how can this be if they are toxic???

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Everyone's body reacts differently, and there is also an issue with the type of avocado it is. There is some information that it is only certain avocados from certain areas that are toxic. Avoderm's website has an explanation of this.
Again, everyone has to make their own choices. We just want to present as much factual (not anecdotal) information as possible here, so that these choices can be informed. I would not want to tell anyone that something is fine for their dog, and then have a tragedy occur because they followed my advice.