Last Updated on by Mitch Rezman
Why is avocado bad for parrots?
Before You Reach For That Avocado Oil …
Karen Allen expressed concern over the increasing popularity in avocado-based products —
Especially avocado oil, which is touted as a healthier alternative to other cooking oils.
She urges those who share their homes with birds to stay away from cooking avocado in ANY form. The ripeness of an avocado can be hastened using a microwave
BUT
Avocodo fumes are as toxic as PTFE’s from no stick cookware
A toxin called persin (a cardiac glycoside fungicidal toxin) seeps from oil in the avocado pit.
Persin then finds its way into the fruit.
A bird with avocado toxicity can exhibit anorexia, respiration issues, lethargy and may even die.
Not all avocados are toxic but it’s best to not risk it.
The Guatemalan avocado variety, which is the most commonly sold in grocery stores, is especially toxic.
Avocados are toxic to other animals like rabbits, horses, fish, mice, and possibly dogs.
Ingestion of avocado (Persea americana) has been associated with myocardial necrosis in mammals and birds and with sterile mastitis in lactating mammals: Read more at Merck Vet
Why are birds in the wild not dying from eating avocados? Most likely the fruit that does get eaten by birds is the outer meat directly below the skin.
As such they don’t eat deep enough to get near the pit. Thus the fruit meat is not contaminated with the toxin.
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