Almonds are one of the oldest foods in human history. Almonds have a reputation for being particularly healthy and tasty, and are generally regarded as “brain food” across the world.
Many health-conscious folks like almonds as a snack. While in the White House, Barack Obama was believed to consume seven almonds every evening. But are they safe for dogs? Can dogs eat almonds?
Can Dogs Eat Almonds?
Maybe. Dogs are not poisoned by almonds, although they might be hard to digest. Because dogs do not chew their food as humans do, whole almonds will likely reach their stomach whole or in large pieces if they consume them. These almond bits are tough for dogs to digest, and undigested almonds can cause stomach problems.
Almond butter and almond milk are better tolerated by dogs than whole almonds. Almond butter is made up of powdered almonds, and if you want to give it to your dog, make sure it’s salt-free and doesn’t include any sweeteners made from artificial sources
Can Dogs Eat Different Kinds of Almonds?
No, some varieties of almonds are harmful to dogs since they have higher risk factors, like:
Chinese Almonds
These are the kernels of certain apricot types produced especially for their seeds. They are not almonds. They contain trace levels of cyanide, which may be extremely harmful if consumed in large quantities. As a result, they must always be roasted or blanched before consumption.
Bitter Almonds
These almonds are a sweet-tasting variant of normal almonds. They also contain cyanide and, owing to the risk of poisoning, cannot be sold unprocessed in the United States.
Is it true that all nuts are bad for dogs?
In general, if ingested in high quantities, all nuts are harmful to dogs. Even if provided as treats, the nuts on this list can be poisonous to your pet and cause a variety of health problems.
Cashews: If the cashews are unsalted and offered in tiny amounts, healthy dogs can consume them. Raw cashews in their shells, on the other hand, contain urushiol, a toxin that induces an allergic skin reaction akin to poison oak and poison ivy. Despite the fact that these nuts are theoretically okay for your dog, they contain a lot of potassium and might create health concerns in dogs that have urinary issues.
Hazelnut: Hazelnuts are safe for your dog to consume in principle. They should be OK as long as they limit themselves to a few of unsalted, uncoated hazelnuts. However, choking, and intestinal blockage remain a possibility. Smaller dogs can choke on these nuts, while larger dogs swallow them whole without chewing them, causing them to become trapped in the intestines and create serious issues.
Macadamia nuts: They are a kind of nut that is native to Australia. Macadamia nuts, whether roasted or uncooked, are hazardous to dogs. If your pet eats macadamia nuts, they may have vomiting, diarrhea, fever, shaking, and limb weakness. Even a single macadamia nut can be harmful to your dog’s health, so if you believe they’ve eaten these nuts and are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, call your veterinarian right away.
Pecans: On a cold, snowy day, nothing beats a slice of pecan pie, but your canine companion should avoid these nuts. Pecans contain juglone, a toxin that can harm dogs and horses, in addition to aflatoxin.
Pistachios: Pistachios, like almonds, cannot be eaten by dogs because they contain aflatoxin, which might harm your pet’s liver. They can also be a choking hazard and cause bowel obstruction if they aren’t shelled.
Walnuts: Walnuts are inedible to dogs. Dogs should not be fed black walnuts, Japanese walnuts, or English walnuts as they have a fungi called tremorgenic mycotoxins. If your dog eats it, they may have symptoms such as seizures, vomiting, and tremors. If you don’t get in touch with your veterinarian right away, your pet’s illness might become fatal if left untreated.
Are there any dog-friendly alternatives to almonds?
Yes, certain nuts are acceptable for dogs to consume and have similar nutritional advantages as almonds.
Peanuts: Peanuts that have been candied, caramelized, coated, salted, etc. should be avoided. Peanuts in shells should also be avoided by dogs. However, keep in mind that peanuts are heavy in fat, so feed them in limits.
Peanut butter: Peanut butter that does not include xylitol, sugar, preservatives, or salt is healthy for dogs. So, before you give your dog this delectable nut-based treat, make sure to read the label for any possibly dangerous additives. Also, watch the amount you give – one or two spoons per day is fine, but too much peanut butter can cause obesity or gastrointestinal problems.
Roasted chestnuts: Roasted chestnuts will not hurt your pet, but they must be served in modest quantities. Chestnuts, like peanuts, are heavy in fat, so if your dog eats too many, he or she may get an upset stomach.
Note: Treats should account for no more than 10% of their daily diet, with the remainder consisting of ordinary dog food.
Is Almond Butter, Almond Oil, or Almond Milk Safe for Dogs?
Almond butter is safe for dogs in modest amounts. To begin with, you do not need to be concerned about intestinal obstructions or choking. Second, almond butter has a variety of health benefits, including being high in dietary fiber and vitamin E, both of which help to maintain a healthy coat and skin. This is why almond oil or butter may be found in a variety of hair, nail, and skin products. Almond oil put on goodies can aid dogs with interior skin concerns.
They should be consumed in moderation. Despite the fact that almond butter contains just 14% fat compared to 50% fat in peanut butter, it might put your dog at risk of becoming obese and pancreatitis if taken in significant amounts. One to two spoonsful of almond butter should suffice in most cases. Make sure to get plain, natural almond butter that doesn’t have any added salt, sugar, or flavors. Butters of any sort should be avoided in tiny dogs due to an increased risk of pancreatitis, which can be fatal.
When it comes to the subject of “can dogs drink almond milk,” most experts advise against it since dogs lack the enzymes needed to digest lactose. As a result, if your dog consumes significant volumes of almond milk, they may have vomiting and diarrhea. This holds true for pups as well. Young puppies should only drink their mother’s milk, but if she isn’t available, they should be fed a specific formula.
Almonds’ Potential Dangers for Dogs
While almonds are high in vitamin E, which can help prevent heart disease, antioxidants, which defend against dangerous free radicals, and magnesium, which can help decrease blood pressure, the risks almonds offer to your pet exceed the health advantages.
Although almonds are not immediately dangerous to your canine friend if properly processed, their system is unable to digest the proteins found in nuts.
Some of the hazards related with dogs and almonds are listed below.
Indigestion
Though some almonds are unlikely to cause substantial indigestion in larger dogs such as Labrador retrievers, toy breeds and pups may develop acute intestinal blockage. If your four-legged friend consumes almonds, you’ll most likely find chunks of them in their feces, along with some blood.
Choking Risk
Almonds are a choking threat since dogs seldom chew their food. Whole almonds, specifically in toy breeds and young puppies, can cause life-threatening blockages of the esophagus and windpipe.
Allergies
Even a single almond can harm your dog if he or she is sensitive to tree nuts. Keep a look out for signs of an allergic response such coughing, sneezing, trouble breathing, or hives. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your veterinarian right once.
Fluid Retention
Almonds are a favorite among dogs, especially the flavored ones such as cinnamon, smoked, and BBQ. The trouble is that packaged nuts are heavy in salt, which can make your animal buddy extremely thirsty and cause fluid retention. Fluid retention is particularly problematic for puppies with cardiac problems, and it also causes renal damage. Salt poisoning can also be caused by eating too many packaged almonds. Finally, flavored almonds include artificial flavors and other substances that are damaging to the health of your dog.
Bladder Stones and Kidney Stones
Phosphorus is abundant in almonds, which increases the risk of bladder stones and kidney stones. What’s more, if the blockage is not removed, the bladder can burst, which can be deadly if not addressed quickly.
Pancreatitis
Almonds are heavy in fat, which is one of the primary causes of pancreatitis. Loss of appetite, stomach discomfort, fatigue, dehydration, trouble breathing, fever, irregular cardiac rhythms, weight loss, general weakness, and vomiting are common symptoms of this illness. Pancreatitis can be lethal if left untreated.
Poisoning with Aflatoxin
Aflatoxins are harmful chemicals present in almonds peanuts, pistachios, etc. Even though aflatoxins are only slightly poisonous to humans, our furry friends are extremely susceptible to them. They’re formed by the common Aspergillus mold that triggers food rotting. Lethargy, vomiting, lack of appetite, liver failure, etc. are all symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Consumes Almonds?
Different sizes of pets may react to the same number of nuts in a completely different way. There’s little reason to be concerned if your dog eats a couple of almonds and shows no signs of choking or obstruction
Under the supervision of a veterinarian or with the help of poison control, vomiting can be induced with hydrogen peroxide. If you don’t know when the nuts were ingested or can’t get your pet to vomit, your only choice is to keep an eye on your pet for indications of disease. If your pet becomes unwell, contact your veterinarian immediately to schedule an appointment.