What Is Avocado Oil?
Previously, avocado oil was used primarily in cosmetics and beauty products for humans. In recent years, however, high-end edible oil has made its way into several dog food formulations. The question is: does your dog need it? Read on to find out more about this trendy ingredient and how it can benefit dogs!
Avocado Nutrition for Dogs
Although the creamy fruit itself makes a great snack for dogs, what we’re interested in is the extract from inside that fruit – the oil. That’s because avocado oil possesses some pretty impressive nutritional properties
[1] . First off, avocados are a great source of vitamins C and E
[2] which have antioxidant qualities that protect the skin and coat. These vitamins are also important for heart, eye, and immune system health in canines
[3] .Secondly, avocado oil is rich in unsaturated fats like oleic acid which moisturizes the skin and coats of your dog
[4] . To top it all off, these healthy fats act as an energy source when calories are needed most – during periods of exercise or high metabolic demand
[5] . Studies have shown that rats burned more body fat after consuming this fruit extract than one without the extract. The same goes for dogs!
Avocado Oil Benefits for Dogs
Aside from these impressive nutritional properties, avocado oil benefits for dogs include: Helps reduce allergies to pollen and certain foods Allergies result in itchy skin, which can lead to bacterial infections in the skin. Avocado oil benefits dogs by reducing the inflammatory response in your dog’s body so itching is minimized.
Promotes healthy growth and development in puppies Contains lots of antioxidants that protect cells against free radical damage Provides dogs with a source of energy to give them more endurance when it comes to exercise
As you can see there are quite a few reasons why this trendy ingredient has made its way into dog food formulations these days!
How Much Avocado Oil Should I Give My Dog?
The recommended dosage for avocado oil in dogs is 2 tsp per day. You must be careful not to accidentally give too much because then you’ll have an overweight pup on your hands. If that happens, cut back on the dosage. Some experts recommend giving 1⁄2 tsp per 20 lbs of dog daily.
Avocado Oil Side Effects for Dogs
As far as avocado oil side effects are concerned, you shouldn’t worry too much about them provided that you follow the recommended dosages. However, there are some cases where your dog may experience an allergic reaction to avocado oil – especially if they have a shellfish allergy. If this happens, stop using it!
Additionally, while there aren’t any specific side effects associated with avocado oil in dogs, some pet owners have reported diarrhea after their pup has consumed large quantities of it. Be careful not to give your pup more than 2 teaspoons per day or it could upset his stomach.
Having a dog with the itchies is no fun for you or your pet. You probably know all too well that many of the store-bought products just don’t work, and even if they do, there are some nasty side effects to consider. That’s why we’re so excited about avocado oil benefits for dogs – it really works!
Avocado Oil vs Fish Oil Avocado oil provides much better skin and coat benefits than fish oil alone. This is because it contains both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in proper amounts [8]. While both oils can reduce inflammation due to allergies, only avocado oil helps promote healthy skin cell growth.
Fish oil lacks vitamin E which is present in avocado oil. Vitamin E is a major antioxidant that protects cells from damage due to free radicals. It also helps repair damaged tissues which means your dog’s skin will stay healthy and hydrated longer.
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