Dogs are ninjas who stealthily lick or take a bite at your food when they get the chance. Regardless if you’re eating hard and crunchy almond nuts, they remain eager to have a taste.
But since there are nuts – like macadamia – that are highly toxic to dogs, it may leave you in a panic once your dog accidentally chomps on almonds. Now, it leaves you a question, “are almond nuts safe for dogs?”
It’s no question that dogs love almonds. They are not toxic. However, unlike humans, dogs don’t chew nuts well and are likely to swallow them whole. The biggest threat is when almonds block your dog’s esophagus, windpipes, and cause intestinal distress, especially for the smaller breeds.
Read on to find out more about what to look out for when feeding this nut to your pup
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What happens if I feed my dog almonds?
Almonds are not poisonous to dogs. But these nuts are possible obstructions to their esophagus and can cause intestine distress. If your dog accidentally feasted on almonds, be alert for any signs of discomfort such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or lethargy.
Breathing and digestive obstructions can be fatal. Once your dog chokes or displays any signs of discomfort, take it to the nearest vet for an immediate medical response.
What benefit can dogs get from almonds?
Nutrition-wise, almonds are a protein-rich nut that nourishes your dog’s bone and muscle development. Its high levels of Vitamin E boost good vision, aid the formation of your dog’s nerve cell membranes, and are a good source of antioxidants.
However, almond nuts are naturally rich in fat. Dogs have trouble digesting fats so excessive consumption may cause pancreatitis.
Why does my dog like almonds?
Dogs enjoy the taste of almonds particularly when it’s covered in salt, sweet chili, or BBQ flavoring. But, although they find delight in flavored almonds, the high sodium content in food additives is not safe for dogs.
Too much salt causes water retention and impacts negatively on a dog’s heart health.
As their owner, it will be your responsibility to make sure they don’t get obsessed with any flavored and salty almond nuts.
How many almonds can hurt a dog?
Unless they’re allergic, an almond or two wouldn’t cause any adverse effects on your dog’s health. However, the risk lies when your dog chokes on one of these hard and crunchy nuts and blocks their air pipes.
Also, never feed bitter almonds to your dogs. The unprocessed ones are basically poison. Once consumed, it breaks down into toxic chemicals, including hydrogen cyanide that causes seizure, gasping, or irregular heartbeats. It can kill humans, and will only take 7 to 10 bitter almonds to kill a dog.
Can dogs be allergic to almonds?
Just like humans, dogs can have allergic reactions to almonds, too. Allergies mostly appear in your dog’s ears and skin. The most visible symptoms are having red skin swelling, hives, swollen faces, itching, sneezing, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Unfortunately, allergies may progress into serious anaphylactic shocks like difficulty in breathing. These reactions require immediate medical attention. When this happens, bring your dog to the nearest vet, so they can supply oxygen and administer intravenous (IV) fluids.
Can dogs eat almond butter?
Since almond nuts could pose choking hazards to dogs, is feeding them almond butter be a better option?
Almond butter is safe for dogs. But yet again, this spread is rich in fat, and must only be given as an occasional treat. Another thing to be aware of is the number of food additives mixed in the product. Many companies now use xylitol as an alternative sweetener. While it works fine with humans, xylitol is highly toxic to dogs.
Xylitol intensifies the production of your dog’s insulin. Within 10-60 minutes of consumption, your dog’s blood sugar drops to a fatal level and may even lead to incoordination, inactivity, and seizures.
That said, the next time you buy almond butter, consider reading the nutrition table to ensure it’s xylitol-free. As much as possible, opt for plain ones – unsalted and unsweetened almond butter.
But on the good side, almond butter has numerous health benefits. It contains vitamins that nourish a dog’s healthy, strong, and shiny fur. It keeps a healthy liver and supports good eye health. Truth be told, almond butter contains even more Vitamin E than peanut butter. It also has antioxidants that fight free radicals and improve the immune system.
How much almond butter can a dog have?
Dogs love almond butter as much as they crave for the peanut counterpart. However, don’t give it as part of their regular diet. Give them 1-2 spoonful of almond butter as an occasional treat. Once a week would be ideal.
Can dogs eat almond milk?
Almond milk is safe as long as your dog takes it in moderation. But while almond milk isn’t inherently poisonous to dogs, it’s still calorie-rich and excessive consumption may lead to obesity.
If there’s one thing you should control, it’s keeping your dog in shape to prevent further illnesses caused by obesity such as osteoarthritis, heart failure, hypertension, and even diabetes.
Many manufacturers also use xylitol as a sweetener for almond milk, so make sure to buy ones that are xylitol-free.
Can Dogs Eat Almonds Flour?
Almond flour, Almond extract and almond oil are all not toxic to your canine. However, most dogs do not digest them well and eating large quantities may lead to digestive issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia.
Can Dogs Eat Almonds And Cashews?
As mentioned above dogs may have some problem digesting almond. However, you can use almond as ingredient to bake a dog treat.
Cashews contain powerful toxins which can only be eliminated after cooking. Never feed your pup any raw cashews.
Almond recipe for dogs
Want to give your dog a treat made from almonds? Then you can try this easy recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond butter
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 egg
Procedure:
- Preheat the oven at 350°F. Line a parchment paper on a baking sheet.
- In a mixing bowl, mix 1 cup of almond butter and egg thoroughly until combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients – baking powder and wheat flour – altogether.
- Pour half of the milk and half of the wheat flour mixture onto the almonds butter mixture. Mix well until combined.
- Again, pour the remaining milk and flour, Mix until you make a dough.
- Roll out the dough. Cut out the dough using bone-shaped cookie cutters.
- Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
Let it cool and serve to your lovely dog!
