Can Dogs Eat Almonds? Read the Risks Involved

Why Are Almonds Bad for Dogs?

Dogs might try to eat anything, even if it's just a couple of lettuce leaves or nuts. But, nuts like almonds can get toxic for them and should be kept away from them.

According to Dr. Richard Goldstein, “Nuts that are toxic to dogs and are a definite no include the walnut family, pecans, and macadamia nuts.”

“What happens if my dog eats almonds?”

The potential dangers of almonds for your dog are as follows:

Choking Hazard

Dogs have a tendency to eat their food whole, which can lead to life-threatening obstructions in the esophagus and stomach, especially in small breeds. If they swallow an almond intact, it could get stuck in their throat or windpipe during eating.

Gastrointestinal Issues

The digestive system of dogs can not digest almonds. So these pesky little nuts are often found whole and unchewed in the poop of dogs who've taken a few nibbles from an almond-filled jar.

The high risk for intestinal blockages is troublesome when you consider that puppies and toy breeds have smaller stomachs.

So, almonds can cause stomach upsets, diarrhea, vomiting, or other such problems.

High Water Retention

Packaged nuts are seasoned heavily with salt and eating too many of them could lead to water retention. It can be specifically dangerous for dogs that have heart problems.

The flavored variety maybe even worse because they contain artificial flavors or other derivatives that put your pet at risk of salt toxicity.

High-Fat Content

Almonds are high in fat and can lead to developing pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis is the inflammation of your dog's pancreas, which usually leads to abdominal pain or other symptoms. These include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea that could escalate into simple indigestion if left untreated by a vet.

Pancreatitis should be accurately diagnosed and treated by vets because otherwise, this could turn into an even more dangerous situation that would shorten your dog’s life span.

High Phosphorus Content

Almonds are high in phosphorus, which can lead to kidney or bladder stones. Dogs such as the Yorkshire Terrier and Lhasa Apso have a genetic predisposition for these illnesses, while Shih Tzu's, Miniature Schnauzer and Bichon Frise breeds tend to get kidney stones too.

Cause Allergies

Almonds are a common allergen in dogs. It is advised that you keep track of your dog’s reactions when they eat almonds and call for immediate assistance if there are any signs of an allergic reaction, including sneezing, hives, coughing, or difficulty breathing.

Cause Aflatoxin Poisoning

Aflatoxin is found in many nuts and crops such as almonds or pistachios that cause food spoilage. When ingested by animals, the toxin has been known to cause liver damage, which may lead to death if left untreated without veterinary assistance.

So, always store your nuts away from inquisitive paws, or else they might be exposed to aflatoxin poisoning.

How do you Know if Your Dog is Suffering from Almond Poisoning?

Almonds can cause gastric intestinal distress when consumed. If your dog accidentally eats a few of these, and you notice the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy

It's time to call your vet!

Can Dogs Have Almond Milk or Butter?

No, a dog should not be given almond milk!

A dog's stomach is not lined with the enzyme lactase, and as a result, they can't digest almonds or products like almond milk. A puppy should be given their mother’s milk until they are weaned.

However, if there isn't enough of it available, then a special formula for puppies will do in an emergency.

Big dogs can live without milk, so there is no need to give them almond milk. It is only expensive and does not give them any additional benefits.

Pet owners are often curious if they can not give almonds to their fluffy friends because of indigestion issues, so can dogs eat almond butter?

Almond butter can be a tasty treat for your pup if fed rarely.

Almond butter is a great way to get your pet's taste buds tingling. Just be sure that if they are not used to nuts, stay away from almond-based foods because their stomach might rebel against them.

Make them taste a little and see how their body reacts to it. If they are fine with it then you can serve it to them rarely.

Can Dogs Eat Chocolate Coated Almonds?

Because chocolate is poisonous to dogs, eating almonds coated in it might result in serious health issues, especially if the chocolate is dark. Dark chocolate (and cocoa powder) contains higher amounts of theobromine than milk or white chocolate, a chemical that dogs cannot break down.

Chocolate has a dose-dependency; smaller dogs are more vulnerable to its negative effects than larger dogs.

Chocolate contains theobromine, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in small amounts. In higher quantities, it might produce a rapid heart rate, shaking, and seizures, with severe consequences if left untreated.

Even if your dog appears to be fine after eating chocolate, you should take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible because symptoms may develop several hours later—the sooner the treatment is started, the more likely it will be effective.

Can Dogs Eat Almonds Mixed with Other Nuts?

Almonds and other nuts might be mixed with dried fruits like raisins and sultanas. Raisins (and their dry form, grapes) can lead to kidney failure and even death.

Because the mechanism of action is unknown, determining how many make dogs sick may be difficult. Just one or two raisins might cause difficulties in some situations; elsewhere, a dog may eat a lot and still be fine.

Can Dogs Eat Salted Almonds?

Dogs can suffer negative health effects from consuming highly processed and salty foods. Not only can salt irritate the digestive system, causing stomach issues, but it may also cause dehydration.

If your dog has a large amount of salt in his diet, sodium toxicity might occur, resulting in electrolyte imbalances, tremors, and seizures. While the occasional salty treat is unlikely to be harmful, it's better not to feed them.

What to Do if Your Dog Eats Almonds?

Different-sized dogs may have different reactions to the same quantity of almonds.

Some dogs, like Labrador retrievers, may not have any problems with eating a handful of almonds. But other breeds, like Bichons, might have trouble because they are curious and eat everything they see.

If your dog has diarrhea or vomits within 6-12 hours of eating almonds, you should take them to the vet right away.

If your dog ate a three-pound bag of almonds in a short period, get him to the emergency vet. He will need supportive treatment, such as fluids and pain medication.

The vet might give your dog medicine that will make him vomit up all the almonds from his stomach. If there is something blocking his stomach, like an almond, surgery might be needed.

Safe Alternatives to Almonds for Dogs

It can be tempting to feed your dog almonds or include them in dog food. Almonds have many benefits, including antioxidants for protection against oxidative stress and vitamin E that helps with heart disease.

But there are other things you can give to your dog that contain the same nutrients as almonds, and pose lesser health risks for your dog.

So, you can easily avoid giving them almonds and easily turn to an alternative having similar nutritional contents.

Plain unsalted peanut butter is one such alternative and is a versatile treat that can be used in so many different ways. You may serve it as an occasional long-lasting snack, or you could use the peanut butter to hide your dog’s medication. If there are any added ingredients, make sure to read the labels and avoid them.

Are All Nuts And Nut Butters Bad For Dogs?

No, not at all nuts and nut butter are bad for dogs. It mainly depends on the nutritional content of the nut, and the breed of your dog.

If your dog can handle the nutritional components of a nut and can digest it well then it is not bad for your dog. The same is the case with nut butter.

However, you have to be aware of the additional sweeteners or other ingredients in these commercial butter that could be harmful to your dogs.

Which Nuts can Dogs Eat?

Dog lovers might want to consider giving their pets some nuts, but be careful about the ones you choose. Because dogs and almonds are a horrific combination, it doesn’t mean your dog can never have any kind of nuts.

There are some other nuts that are safe for your dog to eat but there are other dangerous nuts to avoid also.

Peanuts and chestnuts top the list of allowed nuts for your dogs. This is because they serve as a good source of protein for your dog. However, they have to be given without their shells or coverings, and in small quantities only.

Also, natural unflavored varieties should be preferred. As, the flavored ones can have added preservatives or can disbalance the nutritional content of the nuts, making them harmful for your pup.

Almonds - A NO-NO for Coco!

Dogs have different food needs than us. They can't eat almonds, because they take longer to digest them. So to make sure that your dog is healthy, you should not let them eat any almonds.

If you are an ESA owner, then it is time to get the official ESA letter you need.

Don't wait any longer – click here and take the first step toward getting your legitimate ESA letter today!

We hope this blog post has given you a better understanding of why almonds are bad for dogs so that if your pet happens to eat some, you know what to do.

If you want to know more about what your pup can and can not eat then read:

Can Dogs Eat Bananas Safely? Know All About it Here!

Can Dogs Eat Pineapple? Benefits and Precautions

Can Dogs Eat Grapes? A Big Fat ‘NO’! Know the Reasons Here