Can dogs eat almonds, almond butter, and treats made from almonds? Almonds have so much nutrition that they are considered a superfood for humans. Is this also true for dogs? Before you give your dog an almond as a treat, read on to find out some essential things about almonds dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Almonds?
Almonds are not thought to be safe for dogs to eat. Even though almonds aren’t poisonous to dogs like macadamias and other nuts, they can be bad for their health in different ways. Here are some things that could happen if your dog ate almonds:
- Pancreatitis: Almonds have a lot of fat in them. A single almond probably won’t have much of an effect on your dog, but too many can cause your pet dog to gain weight and cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is a severe problem that seriously affects your dog’s health.
- Additional risks if you season almonds: Salt and other seasonings that are added to almonds for people can be bad for your dog’s health. Garlic powder and onion powder are both terrible for dogs.
- Gastrointestinal problems: Almonds are hard for dogs to digest. If you only eat one or two, you might not have any issues, but if you eat too many, you might get sick, have diarrhea, gas, feel tired, and lose your appetite.
Can dogs eat almonds in some other ways too? Almond flour, which consists of finely ground almonds, and almond protein powder, have most of the same health risks as whole almonds. Other treats with granola bars, almonds, baked goods, and almond bark with almonds might also have ingredients that are bad for dogs, like chocolate, raisins, or artificial sweeteners. But what about almond butter or almond milk?
Can Dogs Drink Almond Milk?
After knowing can dog eat almond, let’s discuss milk. Almond milk is made when almonds are processed, and a cup of almond milk has only a small number of almonds in it. Almond milk is unlikely to upset your dog’s digestive system, just like almond butter, so giving them some unsweetened, unflavored almond milk won’t hurt them. But almond milk isn’t good for your dog’s health, so you’ll just be giving them empty calories. And, you guessed it, almond milk with added flavors and sweeteners might have artificial sweeteners and other harmful ingredients. So, in general, it’s best not to give almond milk to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Almond Butter?
Almond butter makes the nutrients in almonds more available to the body and makes them more accessible for dogs to digest. This indicates that you are less likely to have GI problems if you feed your dog almond butter. But there are still other things that could go wrong. Too much almond butter can still cause pancreatitis, just like a lot of different foods. Also, many kinds of almond butter have salt and artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is bad for dogs.
If your dog licks some almond butter by accident, it’s probably not a big deal. Natural peanut butter, which is safe and healthy for dogs in small amounts, might be a better treat to give your dog. But it’s important to note that natural peanut butter is high in fat and has its own health risks, so you should always check with your vet before giving your dog food that wasn’t made for dogs. And don’t go overboard. Treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of the calories you eat every day. So, can dogs eat almond clear up to you now?
What to Do if Your Dog Eats Almonds
So, can dog eat almonds? The answer is YES. Most of the time, a few almonds or a sneaky bite of almond butter won’t hurt your dog. Still, if your dog eats almonds, keep a close eye on him or her. Moreover, call your vet if you see signs of stomach trouble. If your dog eats more than a few almonds, contact an emergency vet or a pet poison helpline immediately to find out what to do to help your dog. This also includes a product made with almonds that contain other toxic ingredients, like other nuts. However, you should not hesitate to buy some almonds for dogs too.
If you are worried about your dog’s health after they have eaten almonds, you should always call your vet.
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Can Dogs Eat Almonds: FAQs
What happens if a dog eats almonds? Can dogs eat almonds?
Almonds might taste good to dogs but can hurt their stomachs and intestines if they eat them. If your dog eats a few by accident, watch out for signs like vomiting and diarrhea.
Will 1 almond hurt my dog?
If your dog isn’t allergic, one or two almonds probably won’t hurt him or her. If your dog manages to eat an almond, watch for any signs of choking.
Are raw almonds OK for dogs?
Yes, is the short answer. Almonds aren’t poisonous to dogs, but they can harm their health. So, the good thing is to keep raw almonds away from them.
What nuts are toxic to dogs?
Macadamia nuts, black walnuts, old and moldy walnuts, raw cashews, and pistachios are all nuts that pets shouldn’t eat.
Parvaiz Yousuf is a senior SEO writer and editor with an experience of over 6 years, who also doubles up as a researcher. With an MSc zoology degree under his belt and possessing complete Search Engine Optimization (SEO) knowledge, he works as a science journalist for a US-based website and Asian Scientist (A Singapore-based magazine). He also works as Director of Wetland Research Centre, Wildlife Conservation Fund YPJK since 2018. Besides, he has several publications to his name on cancer biology and biochemistry in some reputed journals such as Nature & International Journal of Molecular Sciences, & magazines such as Science Reporter, BUCEROS BNHS, and has an abiding interest in ornithology. He also worked as a Research Associate for JK Policy Institute.
