Why your dog can eat avocado (+ other ingredients)

Avocados

Avocados often provoke discussions. Why? They contain a fungicide called persin. The amount of persin varies amongst different types of avocados and other external factors. Persin is highest in the pit and skin of the avocado and is present in very small amounts in the fruit itself. Rest assured, the amount we add in our recipe is anything but harmful to your furry friend. On the contrary, avocados offer tons of nutrients which have a lot of health benefits for your dog. Our Pet Nutritionist lists them for you. Avocados:

• are rich in vitamin B3, a major energy provider, which is good for the heart and blood circulation.

• contain 18 amino acids and half of these are essential for your pup's health! These amino acids can’t be produced by dogs, and must be supplied through diet to boost the growth of new muscles

• are a great source of fiber that benefits your dog's digestive system.

• are packed with omega fatty acids and vitamin E for healthy skin and a shiny coat ("hello, handsome!").

By the way, did you know that dogs and cats don’t seem to be sensitive to persin? Other animals such as birds, horses and rodents certainly are. A large amount of persin could strain your dog or cat's stomach, but they would have to eat a lot of leaves, seeds and peels for that to happen.

Tomatoes

The tomato plant contains both tomatin and solanine. Both substances function to protect the plant from fungi and insects. Tomatin is found primarily in the stem and leaves of the tomato plant while solanine is found in every part of the plant, including the fruit. As the tomato ripens, the concentration of both tomatin and solanine decreases. In fact, in a ripe red tomato the concentration is so low that it is no longer harmful, and certainly not in the amount that we use in our tasty recipes. On the contrary, they bring added value to your dog's diet. Discover below the medicinal substances in tomatoes and what benefits they have. Tomatoes:

• are low in calories and high in fiber, which is good for easy digestion.

• contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that reduces the risk of heart disease and promotes better vision.

• contain minerals that stimulate blood pressure and maintain healthy muscles.

• contain beta-carotene which the body uses to produce vitamin A. Vitamin A has a powerful effect on the eyes and skin.

• contain vitamin C which is another powerful vitamin and antioxidant that boosts the immune system. Especially ill dogs benefit from it!

Eucalyptus

If you Google "eucalyptus for dogs", you’ll quickly believe that eucalyptus oil doesn’t belong in dog food. But just like avocados and tomatoes, small amounts are safe and have medicinal benefits! Did you know that eucalyptus gets rid of bacteria that causes tooth decay and gum disease? For example, a study* of 97 people showed that chewing gum with eucalyptus significantly reduced plaque buildup and signs of gum disease. That's why you'll find eucalyptus in things like mouthwashes, chewing gum and other dental care products.

But you can also find eucalyptus in wellbeing products for dogs, like our Doggy Dental sticks. As you know, dogs are not known for their fresh breath. Bad breath is often caused by the same bacteria that attacks your dog's teeth and gums. We use the natural power of eucalyptus oil to prevent dental inflammation. They’ll also keep bad smells at bay, so it’s a win-win! So don't worry about feeding recipes with these ingredients to your dog. We're a bunch of dog lovers and work with nutritionists to create food that makes your dog healthy and happy!

*Source 1: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18672986/  Source 2: https://aap.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1902/jop.2008.070622