Yes, avocado trees are toxic to cats as they also contain persin. An avocado tree’s leaves, stem, and even bark contain persin, which can be mildly toxic to cats. Keep an eye on your cat if you grow or live near avocado trees to ensure they don’t chew on the leaves and branches.
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I’ve been starting avocado seeds indoors only to keep as a plant, so I doubt I’ll ever get any real fruit from them. But I want to make sure that if my cat does chew on a leaf, it won’t make him sick because he is crazy about houseplants. When I try to research it online, I always find conflicting information. The majority of the information relates to the fruit itself, not the leaves, and even then, the views range from “maybe it’s toxic” to “very toxic to house pets.” ”.
The majority of pet owners will be happy to hear that there are no trustworthy reports of cardiac or mammary side effects in dogs or cats. When dogs and cats eat avocado, the majority either stay perfectly healthy or experience mild gastrointestinal distress. The high fat content of avocados puts dogs who eat them in large quantities at risk of pancreatitis. The eating of an avocado seed may cause the gastrointestinal tract to become obstructed.
Unfortunately, some pets are extremely sensitive to persin and shouldn’t ever be given avocado. These include some pet birds that, after consuming tiny amounts of avocado, may pass away from heart failure in 12 to 48 hours, such as budgerigars, cockatiels, and canaries. Rabbits may also be susceptible to cardiac effects after consuming avocado. Oedema, or swelling of the head and chest in horses, is caused by a buildup of fluid beneath the skin. Reports have surfaced of fish passing away when avocado leaves dropped into pond water.
The type of animal that consumes the plant determines the toxic effects that are observed. Smaller amounts of avocado generally cause swelling, warmth, and tenderness in the mammary glands in most nursing mammals, which in turn reduces the amount of milk produced (sterile mastitis). Myocardial necrosis, a potentially fatal condition in certain animals, can be brought on by larger doses or even relatively small ingestions. Effects on the breasts and heart may take several days to manifest after consumption.
Although there is no cure for avocado poisoning, prompt veterinary care can save lives, especially in birds that are extremely vulnerable to the plant’s toxins. For a risk assessment and advice if your pet has eaten avocado, please contact the Animal Poisons Helpline at 1300 869 738 (Australia) or 0800 869 738 (New Zealand). In Australia and New Zealand, all pet owners can use the free Animal Poisons Helpline.
FAQ
What happens if my cat eats avocado?
Can animals eat avocado leaves?
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Is any part of an avocado poisonous?