Can Dogs Eat Almonds?

I start my day with a handful of soaked almonds, and ever so often, my dog comes and sits next to me, giving me those big puppy eyes, asking for one to be tossed his way. Even though we make it a point to never feed him table scraps or food directly from our plates, you know how hard it can be to turn down that beseeching look. So, I decided to ask our vet, can dogs eat almonds? 

Turns out, no, they can’t. While almonds aren’t toxic to dogs like some nuts such as macadamia nuts, walnuts, or pecans, they can cause health issues in our canine companions. What about products derived from almonds? Can dogs eat almond butter? And can dogs have almond milk? Let’s find out the answers to these questions and also understand what makes almonds bad for dogs.

Why are Almonds Bad for Dogs?

As I said, the short answer to can dogs eat almonds is no. But I also said almonds are not toxic to dogs, like some other nuts. So, why are almonds bad for dogs? As a pet parent, you need to understand the potential benefits and risks of different foods for your dog. Because they don’t know any better. 

Your pet will lap up anything you offer them, from a hunk of raw meat to a slice of fruit, or even a candy bar, and chomp on it like it’s the most delicious treat ever. So, the onus of identifying healthy snacks for pups is on you. As it turns out, almonds don’t make that cut. Here’s why: 

1. Almonds can be an obstruction hazard

One of the reasons dogs shouldn’t be fed almonds is that, unlike humans, dogs don’t chew their food into mush. If your dog swallows an almond whole, it can cause life-threatening obstructions in the esophagus, stomach, intestine, or even the windpipe. 

2. Water retention and salt toxicity 

This is a risk posed by flavored almonds. The salt content in this variety of almonds can lead to water retention, which can be particularly dangerous in dogs with specific conditions like heart disease. In addition to this, other types of flavorings like spices or sugar can irritate your dog’s stomach. 

Suggested Reading: Can Dogs Eat Dragon Fruit?

3. Risk of gastrointestinal distress 

Like all nuts, almonds are high in fat, and your dog’s digestive system is not meant to process a lot of fat. That’s why eating almonds in excess or regularly can cause pancreatitis, which is a serious health complication that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs include: 

• Severe abdominal pain
• Swollen abdomen
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Depression
• Labored breathing
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Orange urine
• Weight loss

However, the impact may not always be as severe as pancreatitis. Consumption of almonds can also lead to digestive distress, which presents as: 

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Gas 
• Loss of appetite 
• General discomfort 

As you can see, some of these symptoms are overlapping. This can leave you panic-stricken as you wonder, “My dog ate almonds, what do I do?” Let’s find out. 

My Dog Ate Almonds, What Do I Do?

By now, you clearly know the answer to: can dogs eat almonds? What you’ve learned can also make you concerned about what would happen if your dog ends up munching on these nuts. The answer to that question is relative and depends on your dog’s size, age, and the quantity of nuts ingested. 

For instance, if a large dog like a German Shepherd eats a couple of almonds and isn’t presenting with any evident signs of choking or obstruction — retching, vomiting, gagging, for instance — you have nothing to worry about. On the other hand, if a small dog like a Lhasa Apso ends up eating the same quantity of almonds, it can play out very differently.  The same applies to whether your pet is an adult or a puppy.

Suggested Reading: Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken? Risks, Benefits, And Things to Consider

On the other hand, if you notice that your pet — irrespective of size or age — has polished off an entire packet of almonds that you may have forgotten on the kitchen counter, then it’s a different story altogether. You need to rush your pet to the vet as soon as possible. The course of treatment would most likely be inducing vomiting within 30 minutes of the nuts having been ingested.  

If you’re not quite sure when but suspect that your furry baby has polished off some almonds, a wait-and-watch approach is your best recourse. Get your pet medical attention if they exhibit any of the following signs: 

• Choking 
• Gagging or retching 
• Vomiting 
• Bloating 
• Diarrhea 
• Lethargy 
• Discomfort 
• Loss of appetite 

If your dog displays no signs of distress even 48 hours after, it’s best to not dwell on the thought, “My dog ate almonds, what do I do?” 

Can Dogs Eat Almond Butter?

As I said in the beginning, while almonds are not an appropriate food for dogs, they’re not toxic to them either. For any pet parent on the lookout for healthy snacks for pups and dogs, this may bring up an obvious question: can dogs eat almonds in the non-nut form? In other words, can do eat almond butter?  

Well, yes, they can in small quantities as long as the almond butter doesn’t contain additives like salt, sugar, or xylitol — all of which can be extremely toxic to dogs. So, if you want to give your dog an occasional spoonful of almond butter as a treat, make sure you read the label to ensure it doesn’t have harmful additives, or better yet, churn some at home. 

Almond butter recipe for dogs 

Making almond butter at home is extremely easy. Dry roast a cup of almond kernels till they release their natural oils, allow them to cool down, and then churn in a blender at high speed till you get a creamy consistency, and done! 

Can Dogs Have Almond Milk?

Speaking of non-nut forms of almonds, can dogs have almond milk? Again, almond milk isn’t toxic for dogs but it doesn’t count among healthy snacks for pups and dogs either. Your dog won’t fall sick or have health complications from licking some almond milk spilled on the floor or tasting a spoonful. However, its high fat content can lead to some of the same complications caused by the consumption of almonds — diarrhea, pancreatitis, and weight gain.

So, can dogs eat almonds? You have your answer, which reiterates the fact that not all superfoods for humans are equally good for our canine companions. If you want your pet to derive some of their micronutrients from nut-based treats, consider exploring safe alternatives to almonds such as peanuts and cashews.