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| Are almonds good for dogs? |
Topics covered in this blog post
Can dogs eat almonds?
Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs, and moldy nuts (such as old walnuts) can cause tremors and seizures, so never let your dog eat them (Merck). Other nuts, like walnuts and pecans, are high in fat and can upset the stomach (ASPCA). So where do almonds fit in? Can dogs eat almonds? The short answer to this question would be NO. Even though almonds have not been observed to be specifically toxic to dogs, they have the ability to cause health issues in your pup and thus, should be avoided.Short answer: Plain almonds aren’t toxic to dogs, but they’re a poor treat. They’re high in fat (upset stomach, possible pancreatitis), hard to chew (choking or a blockage, especially in small dogs), and often salted or flavored. One or two plain almonds usually cause no problem; a handful or a whole bag is a reason to call your vet. Macadamia nuts are the truly toxic nut, and moldy walnuts can cause tremors and seizures (Merck).
Almond butter, almond milk and almond flour
- Almond butter: a lick of plain, unsalted almond butter is usually fine. Check the label first: some nut butters contain xylitol, which is very dangerous for dogs (VCA).
- Almond milk: unsweetened, plain almond milk in small amounts isn’t toxic, but it adds calories and can upset the stomach. Never give sweetened, chocolate or sugar-free versions.
- Almond flour in a homemade dog treat is fine in small amounts. Avoid human baked goods, which may contain xylitol, chocolate or raisins.
- Chocolate-covered, salted, smoked or seasoned almonds: don’t share. Chocolate and seasonings (garlic, onion powder) are toxic.
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- General discomfort
- Lethargy
- Gas
Obstruction hazard
You must notice that your pup does not chew the food as diligently as you do. Dogs swallow more and chew less. Therefore, if your dog swallowed a complete almond, it could cause life-threatening obstruction in your dog’s esophagus, windpipe or even the stomach.Severe gastrointestinal upset
Almonds are known to be high in fats. Excess of fats can cause pancreatitis in dogs. Some symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs are diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite and vomiting. A condition like pancreatitis can also cause simple indigestion or turn into a life-threatening disorder. If pancreatitis is suspected, it should be diagnosed as early as possible and treated aggressively by the veterinarian.
Water retention issues
Like other packaged nuts, almonds are most often heavily salted. If your dog consumes a few almonds, this excess of salt can increase your dog’s water retention. Too much salt makes dogs very thirsty, and it’s especially risky for dogs with heart or kidney disease.Potential allergy problems
As with any kind of food, your dog may have an allergic reaction towards almonds. Even though this is seen rarely, ingestion of almonds may lead to anaphylaxis which is a life-threatening condition. If you notice signs of an allergic reaction in your dog like coughing, hives, sneezing, swelling or difficulty in breathing, do not delay and contact your vet immediately.Can dogs eat almond-flavored products?
The answer to this question, can dogs eat almond-flavored products would also be NO. Almond-flavored products often contain sugar and sweeteners, and some sugar-free products contain xylitol, which can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver damage in dogs (VCA). Therefore, make sure that you read through all the labels in a product before buying. It would be better if you have a discussion with your veterinarian before you share any human food item with your pup.It has been observed that dogs enjoy the taste of almonds, especially flavored ones. However, since almonds can cause life-threatening conditions to your dog, it is advised that you keep almonds as far away from your dog as possible. It is your responsibility as the dog guardian to make sure that your dog does not get to eat almonds.Now you have the answer to, ‘can dogs eat almonds’ as well as the potential health hazards almonds can cause. The next thing to understand here is what should you do as a dog guardian in case your dog consumes almonds.
How to proceed if your dog eats almonds?
It has been observed that dogs of different breeds and sizes react differently to ingesting identical quantities of nuts. If your dog ate one or two plain almonds and isn’t choking, gagging or vomiting, there’s usually no need to worry. If the almonds were chocolate-covered, flavored, or sugar-free (xylitol), call your vet right away. Make sure that the packet of almonds is away from your dog next time onwards.If your dog ate a whole bag of almonds, call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away. Depending on how many were eaten and how big your dog is, your vet may want to see your dog and may make them vomit at the clinic.Don’t make your dog vomit at home unless your vet tells you to. Hydrogen peroxide can cause stomach ulcers and other side effects, and it isn’t safe for every dog (VCA). If your vet says it’s safe to watch your dog at home, check for vomiting, diarrhea, belly pain, a hunched posture, or not eating over the next day or two; these can be signs of pancreatitis or a blockage. If you are staying at home and monitoring your dog and you notice that your dog suddenly becomes ill, call your veterinarian and take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible.If your dog ate a few almonds and you do not observe any sign of bloating, gagging, choking, discomfort or vomiting, then you may watch your pup and keep an eye out for any signs of discomfort in your dog. Under such conditions, your dog will most likely be okay and not suffer from a serious health condition.Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435, a fee may apply) right away if your dog ate a large amount of almonds, any chocolate-covered or sugar-free almond product, or macadamia nuts, or if you see repeated vomiting, a painful or swollen belly, weakness, tremors, or trouble breathing or swallowing. Don’t make your dog vomit at home unless your vet tells you to (VCA).
GERMAN SHEPHERD HEALTH ISSUES: 21 DISEASES YOU MUST BE AWARE OFSources: Merck Veterinary Manual (macadamia nut toxicosis; tremorgenic mycotoxins), ASPCA Animal Poison Control (people foods to avoid), VCA Animal Hospitals (xylitol toxicity; inducing vomiting at home).
Conclusion
What are your thoughts on ‘can dogs eat almonds?’ Has your dog ever eaten an almond? Did you observe any signs of distress in your dog? What did you do once you notice that your dog ate almonds? Please share your experiences with us as well as with the world in the comment section below. If you would like to be notified about the new articles as and when they are published, please subscribe to the blog.
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ShrutiPlain almonds aren’t toxic to dogs, but they’re not a good treat. They’re high in fat, hard to chew, and often salted or flavored, so they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, choking or a blockage, and possibly pancreatitis. One or two plain almonds usually won’t hurt a medium or large dog.
Call your vet. A large amount of fatty nuts can cause vomiting, diarrhea and pancreatitis, and many almonds can block the stomach or intestines, especially in small dogs. Don’t make your dog vomit at home unless your vet tells you to.
Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs: they can cause weakness, wobbliness, vomiting, tremors and fever within about 12 hours (Merck). Moldy walnuts and other moldy nuts can cause tremors and seizures. Almonds, pecans and walnuts are high in fat and can upset the stomach (ASPCA).
A small lick of plain, unsalted almond butter is usually fine if the label has no xylitol. Plain, unsweetened almond milk in small amounts isn’t toxic but isn’t needed. Never give sweetened, chocolate or sugar-free products.
