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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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.
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.
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.
The Scoop on Avocado and Your Pets
Utilizing avocados as a good source of fat in diets has gained popularity recently. Many types of avocado toast are becoming popular across the country as a nutritious food option, but few people are aware of the possible risks to pets. While avocados are often included in lists of foods that are toxic to animals, it’s not always clear how dangerous it is to eat avocados, what symptoms of toxicity to watch out for, or which species are most susceptible to avocado poisoning. The Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) of the ASPCA wants you to be aware of the risks associated with avocados on the inside and outside.
Due to a wide range of sensitivity across species, persin, which is found in avocado leaves, fruit, seeds, and bark, can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs as well as more serious signs in other animals. Birds, horses and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado toxicity. Avocados should not be given to sheep or goats because they can also exhibit severe clinical symptoms.
Serious symptoms of avocado toxicity in birds include weakness, depression, feather pulling, and agitation. Greater exposures may even cause more serious side effects like edema and respiratory distress. However, cardiovascular damage is the main worry for birds, and some ingestions may even be lethal.
Edematous, swollen heads and necks are a common occurrence in ruminants such as sheep and goats, horses, and donkeys.
When incorporating avocados into your diet, keep in mind that they may pose a risk to your farm’s animals or pets. As soon as an animal consumes avocado, it must be decontaminated to avoid severe symptoms. If you think your pet may have consumed any part of an avocado, please record how much was consumed and get in touch with your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center right away at (888) 426-4435
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