Welcome to the journey of almonds in a dog’s life!
Humans make excellent use of almonds as a snack food. But are almonds safe for dogs to eat? The correct response is “no.” Almonds are one of those meals humans can digest more quickly than their canine counterparts, even though they might not be as hazardous as other nuts.
But remain cool if your dog accidentally ingests some. If you need help with your pet, call your vet immediately. Check out the symptoms to look out for and our explanations of what happens to dogs when they consume almonds down below. This way, you can learn the ropes and be in the know beforehand, perhaps sparing yourself any unnecessary anxiety.
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Why Should Dogs Not Eat Almonds?
Your dog should not eat almonds because they are not a nutritious or safe snack option. Although not poisonous like macadamia nuts, they can harm your dog’s health and safety. The following are some reasons you shouldn’t allow your dog to consume almonds.
Chocks your dog
If your dog isn’t properly trained, you can expect him to choke on an almond. Most dogs don’t bother chewing their food because they utilize their teeth primarily for tearing and crushing. When eating kibble, most dogs will swallow it whole. Since they can moisten the kibble with their saliva, they won’t choke on it.
However, they cannot use their saliva to break down the tough almonds. If your dog swallows a whole almond, it could become lodged in its esophagus and cause it to choke. Due to their diminutive stature, toy and toy-breed dogs are especially vulnerable. If you feed almonds to your puppy or tiny dog, they may impact the digestive system.
Pancreatitis
The fat content of almonds is exceptionally high. Overfeeding almonds to a dog can lead to obesity. Your dog’s high body fat content increases the risk of pancreatitis.
The inability to turn fat into energy leads to inflammation in the pancreas. Pancreatitis is caused by inflammation of the pancreas. Dogs can die from this illness very quickly. Pancreatitis symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting
- Weakness
If treatment is not received, pancreatitis in dogs can quickly become fatal. Pancreatitis is more likely to manifest in canine breeds with a smaller body size, such as poodles.
For more info: Pancreatitis in Dogs.
High salt and additives content
Salted or flavored almonds will surely be a big hit with dogs, who have a penchant for everything tasty. Almonds with seasonings represent a health risk to your dog because of the chemical compounds they contain. Hemolytic anemia is caused when a dog eats almonds flavored with garlic or onion. Blood cell oxidation leads to hemolytic anemia. Heart rate elevation and gum pallor are signs of hemolytic anemia in dogs.
In addition, the high sodium content of salted almond products can dehydrate your dog. It’s also possible for your dog to develop fluid retention after eating salted almonds. Dogs with heart problems must avoid creating fluid retention. The kidneys might be damaged by excess fluid in your dog’s body.
In addition, a dog’s body can be poisoned by sodium ions if there is too much salt in its system (salt toxicity). Some of the signs of salt poisoning are:
- Excess urination
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Excess thirst
Allergy reactions
If your dog is allergic to nuts, you should not feed it almonds. Even a trace amount of almonds can harm a dog with a nut allergy. Sneezing and chest tightness are common signs of an allergic reaction. If any of these occur, it’s time to call the vet.
Gastrointestinal distress
Almonds are toxic to dogs and should be avoided. Almonds cause gastrointestinal problems in dogs, including diarrhea. Occasionally feeding your dog almonds is fine. Almonds are in moderation, but eating too many can cause issues. Dogs of larger sizes can easily digest a handful of almonds, but smaller dogs may have trouble.
Aflatoxin poisoning
Aspergillus, a mold that causes food rotting, produces a toxin known as aflatoxin. Nuts like almonds and pistachios may contain the toxic chemical aflatoxin. Almonds tainted with Aspergillus mold pose a threat of aflatoxin poisoning if fed to your dog. Dogs are more susceptible to the harmful effects of aflatoxin than people are. The signs of aflatoxin poisoning include:
- Vomiting
- Jaundice
- Lethargy
- Liver failure
- Loss of appetite
Risk of kidney stones
Almonds have a high phosphorus content. Your dog is more likely to develop bladder or kidney stones if their body has an abundance of phosphorus. Dogs suffer excruciating agony when they get urinary tract or kidney stones. If the stones aren’t extracted from the bladder, they could burst. A dog’s life can be cut tragically short if his bladder ruptures.
What Can You Do If Your Dog Feeds on Almonds?
Don’t freak out if your dog has eaten one or two almonds. Instead, keep a close eye on them to look for any indications of or obstructions. Suppose your dog has consumed more than a few nuts. In that case, you should seek the counsel of a professional by contacting either your regular veterinarian or the emergency veterinarian in your area.
Should Dog Drink Almond Milk?
Almond milk is a byproduct of almond manufacturing, and a cup contains a deficient proportion of almond milk. Almond milk, like almond butter, is gentle on the digestive system, so giving your dog a bit of plain, unsweetened almond milk is probably fine. Almond milk is high in calories but provides no nutritional value to dogs. And you got it: almond milk with added flavorings and sugar could be laced with artificial sweeteners and other potentially dangerous substances. To sum up, don’t give your dog almond milk.
Will Your Dog Eat Almond Butter?
Almond butter is a great way to improve almonds’ digestibility and nutrient absorption for canines. Feeding your dog almond butter makes them less likely to have gastrointestinal problems. Still, there are additional dangers to consider. Almond butter can still potentially cause pancreatitis in humans if consumed in excess. In addition, wide varieties of almond butter include salt and artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is hazardous to dogs.
Natural peanut butter is a superior option because it is safe and beneficial for dogs in moderation. You should consult your vet before giving your dog any food not created expressly for canines. Natural peanut butter is no exception due to its high-fat content and associated health hazards.
Wrapping Up with Can Dogs Eat Almonds
Strictly speaking, dogs cannot die from eating nuts. However, they are not healthy snacks for canines. What you feed your dog is crucial to his health. If you want a healthy dog, you must pay attention to what you provide. Dog food, not treats, should cover the bulk of your pet’s diet.
There are human foods that can be dangerous for dogs to eat. Get your vet’s approval before feeding your dog almonds. If you take your dog to the vet, they can tell you if it’s safe for him to eat. To secure your dog’s health, always be considerate of its diet.
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