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We do receive this concern frequently. Below is a letter that addresses
why our food is safe and fills in the gaps between what is being
published. We certainly understand your concern, especially given the
recalls of some foods last Spring. Please note, none of our foods were
involved or affected by recalls.
Thank you for asking your question.
You can feel quite confident in AvoDerm Natural pet products safety and
nutritional value. In the 25 years since Breeder's Choice first
introduced this product line, millions of dogs and cats worldwide have
consumed AvoDerm products with no negative reactions from avocado oil or
meal. The avocado is full of vitamins A, C, D, E, and B6. Also, avocados
are rich in potassium, niacin, essential fatty acids and many other
nutrients for excellent skin and coat condition. AvoDerm Natural pet
products use only carefully selected suppliers of avocado meal and
avocado oil. Years of problem-free consumption of these products
indicate that AvoDerm products are not only safe for dogs and cats, but
also provide vital nutrients for them.
Concern has been expressed by the ASPCA about the consumption of the
leaves, fruit, bark, and stems from the avocado tree, with the exception
of the avocado fruit which is used for the oil and meal; none of these
parts are factors in any of the AvoDerm Natural pet products
formulations.
Dr. Art Craigmill, UC Davis, Professor and Extension Specialist in
Environmental Toxicology has said that his studies and other research in
the United States and Australia have shown that the problem of toxicity
is in the leaves and the pit of the Guatemalan variety; the avocado meat
of the fruit and oils have not been shown to be toxic. AvoDerm Natural
pet products do not utilize any Guatemalan variety avocados, nor do we
use any leaves or pits of any variety of avocados for our avocado meal
and oil.
The avocado meal and oil used in the AvoDerm Natural pet products comes
from the meat of the fruit and does not contain leaves, bark, skin or
pit of the fruit. The oil is extracted from ripened fruit in which the
meat pulp has been separated from the skin and the pit. Through a
mechanical separation process the oil is extracted and filtered and
placed into sealed containers. The pulp of the fruit is dried, ground,
and screened before being placed into its final packaging and than
shipped to our facility.
Dr. Guy Whitney, Director of Industry Affairs and Research of the
California Avocado Commission, has stated: "...in California there are
around 7,000 family farmers who grow avocados and almost every one has
dogs that actively seek out fruit that has fallen from the trees to
snack on. The happy, well-filled out and shiny-coated orchard dog is a
familiar sight to anyone in this industry and we have NEVER had a report
of a family orchard dog getting sick from eating avocados. Also, the US
Forest Service and UC Santa Barbara are about to publish a paper on the
importance of avocado orchards in California to sustaining carnivore
populations (bears, coyotes, mountain lions, foxes and small cats)
during drought conditions. All of these animals are known to eat the
protein and nutrient rich fruit that has fallen from the trees. Now
birds are a different creature and it IS known that avocados are toxic
to birds. Avocado leaves are known to be toxic to horses. Avocado
seeds (pits) are NOT edible and are toxic to animals."
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