Can dogs eat almonds?

Can dogs eat almonds? You might be wondering if it’s safe to feed almonds to your dog. The answer, like so many other things, is that it depends.

We believe it is critical to provide accurate information regarding canine nutrition at The BarkJunction. We’ll look at the benefits if any and drawbacks of offering almonds to dogs in this post.

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Table of Contents

Can Dogs Consume Almonds?

Almonds are not considered a safe food for dogs. Although almonds, like macadamias and other nut varieties, are not toxic to dogs, they do pose a number of health risks. Here’s how almonds could potentially affect your dog:

Dogs cannot digest almonds properly. While one or two may not cause any problems, consuming too many can cause vomiting, diarrhea, gas, lethargy, and appetite loss.

Almonds contain a lot of fat. While an occasional almond is unlikely to impact your dog’s health significantly, too many can contribute to weight gain and cause your dog’s pancreas to become inflamed, which can severely affect your dog’s health, according to the AKC.

Salt and other seasonings used on almonds prepared for human consumption can be harmful to your dog’s health. Garlic and onion powder, for example, are both toxic to dogs.

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Can dogs eat other types of almonds?

Certain processed almond products, such as almond flour and almond protein powder, pose many of the same health risks as whole almonds.

Other almond-based treats, such as almond bark and baked goods containing almonds may contain toxic ingredients such as chocolate, raisins, or artificial sweeteners.

These are equally dangerous for your pup and should not be fed to your dog.

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Are Almonds Beneficial or Harmful to Dogs?

Sweet almonds are not toxic to dogs. However, bitter almonds are toxic to pets and contain cyanide. Bitter almonds are not commonly sold in most western countries, and if they are, they are usually clearly labeled as such on the package.

As a result, the almonds in your home are most likely sweet almonds, which, while not toxic, can be harmful if your dog consumes more than one or two.

Why Are Almonds Harmful to Dogs?

Although almonds are unlikely to be toxic to dogs, they have been known to occasionally harbor Aspergillus mold, which contains Aflatoxin. This substance can poison your dog because canines are particularly vulnerable to it.

Many almonds are seasoned with salt and other ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Excessive salt consumption can cause water retention, which is especially dangerous in dogs with heart conditions. Salt toxicity can occur when consumed in large quantities. Spices and seasonings may be appealing to dogs, but many of them can cause gastrointestinal distress.

Even if you give your dog plain, mold-free nuts with no seasoning or salt, there are a few risks. Almonds are high in phosphorus, increasing the likelihood of bladder stones forming. The high-fat content can cause gastrointestinal upset in the short term and long-term conditions such as obesity and pancreatitis.

The protein in almonds is poorly processed by dogs’ digestive systems, resulting in gastrointestinal blockages. Furthermore, the small, hard nuts are choking hazards, particularly for smaller dogs or dogs who do not thoroughly chew before swallowing.

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The Risks of Feeding Almonds to Your Dog

Almonds have a very high-fat content. Almonds and other nuts contain fat, wreaking havoc on your dog’s digestive system and causing gastric intestinal distress.

Aside from stomach upset, another reason not to feed almonds or almond products to your dog is that they can be high in salt and other seasonings and highly dangerous artificial sweeteners such as xylitol. Almonds, for example, have side effects that affect water retention and increase the likelihood of kidney failure.

According to AKC, too much salt can cause dogs vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, tremors, and excessive thirst. If your dog consumes too much sodium from salted nuts, it may develop dangerous sodium ion poisoning.

Foods high in fat, such as almonds and pistachios, are known to cause upset stomachs and pancreatitis (pancreatic inflammation) in dogs when consumed in large quantities. Pancreatitis is a severe condition that should be reported to your veterinarian. Pancreatitis symptoms in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and lethargy. High-fat foods, such as almonds, frequently cause pancreatitis flare-ups.

We have mentioned below some more reasons why feeding Almonds to your dog may not be such a good idea.

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Choking Risk

Almonds, like many other nuts, have a hard, rounded shape. Dogs aren’t known for chewing things well, so this could be a disaster waiting to happen. If your dog inadvertently inhales a nut, it may become lodged in their windpipe and cause them to choke, especially in small dogs. Similarly, nuts can become lodged in the food pipe (esophagus), causing problems there as well.

Allergies

If your dog is allergic to tree nuts, even a single almond can be dangerous. Keep an eye out for any allergic reaction symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing, and hives. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian right away.

What exactly is Almond Poisoning?

Almonds that have been properly processed are not directly toxic to your dog. Still, the canine system does not properly digest the proteins in nuts. Eating a lot of almonds, whether all at once or in small amounts over time, can cause gastrointestinal distress, obesity, and pancreatitis. Aside from the dangers posed by the almonds, they may also harbor Aspergillus mold. Aflatoxin produced by this mold is incredibly toxic to dogs, and exposure can have severe consequences for your pet.

Although almonds do not directly poison dogs, they are not recommended. Nuts are not suitable for the canine digestive system, and they can cause gastrointestinal distress, obesity, and pancreatitis.

Dogs Almond Poisoning Symptoms

Symptoms that your dog has recently overindulged

Water deficiency
Constipation
Diarrhea

What should you do if your dog eats almonds?

It can be difficult to keep your dog away from anything that is harmful to them. While a couple of almonds are unlikely to be fatal, there is usually no need to panic. Keep a close eye on your dog for intestinal trouble or obstructed breathing signs. If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, seek immediate veterinary attention and contact the pet poison control hotline.

How can you keep your dog from eating almonds?

We understand that small foods, such as almonds and peanuts, can easily slip through your fingers or fall off the edge of a table or countertop. Keep an eye on the area where you’re eating and clean up any and all leftovers.

If your dog is particularly interested in food, keep them in another room while you eat a couple of handfuls of almonds. Store your nut supply in tightly sealed containers on higher shelves out of your pet’s reach.

Is it possible for one almond to kill my dog?

Although one processed almond is unlikely to kill your dog, this does not make almonds safe for dogs. While processed almonds aren’t usually toxic to dogs, eating too many of them can have long-term health consequences that lead to severe wellness issues.

Poisoning from almonds can result in gastrointestinal distress, obesity, and pancreatitis. Be especially cautious if you have unprocessed bitter almonds in your pantry. Even just seven of these nuts can be fatal to your dog.

Alternatives to Almonds for Dogs

Almonds appeal to dogs because they contain antioxidants that protect against oxidative stress, vitamin E that lowers the risk of heart disease, magnesium that helps lower blood pressure, and protein. However, the risks almonds pose to your dog outweigh the health benefits. Furthermore, almonds are not the only source of these nutrients.

Almonds should never be given to your dog on a regular basis, but there are safe alternatives that provide the same nutritional benefits. For example, plain, unsalted peanut butter can be served to your dog as a treat. Just make sure there is no added salt, seasoning, or xylitol in the peanut butter you use.

Moderation is essential with any food in a dog’s diet. Even peanut butter is high in calories and should be used sparingly. In addition to your dog’s daily meal intake, remember to be conservative with how many treats you give them.