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Pet safety

Is Avocado toxic to cats?

Persea americana

Toxic to cats

Yes — avocado is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. ASPCA lists Persea americana as toxic to cats, dogs, horses, and especially birds and ruminants, due to persin. Leaves, bark, seed, and skin are most concentrated; the flesh is low-risk for dogs and cats but unsafe for birds and rabbits.

What to do if your cat ate avocado

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move avocado out of reach.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of avocado to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten avocado, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is avocado toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is avocado toxic to cats?

Yes — avocado is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. ASPCA lists Persea americana as toxic to cats, dogs, horses, and especially birds and ruminants, due to persin. Leaves, bark, seed, and skin are most concentrated; the flesh is low-risk for dogs and cats but unsafe for birds and rabbits.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats avocado?

ASPCA lists Persea americana as toxic to cats, dogs, horses, and especially birds and ruminants, due to persin. Leaves, bark, seed, and skin are most concentrated; the flesh is low-risk for dogs and cats but unsafe for birds and rabbits. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to avocado.

What should I do if my cat ate avocado?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is avocado toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Avocado is toxic to dogs as well. See the full avocado pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to avocado?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Full avocado pet-safety