Delicious and nutrient-rich, almonds are among the best snacks a person can enjoy. Unfortunately, foods that are good for people aren’t always good for dogs.
So, can dogs eat almonds? The quick answer is no. To find out why, keep reading!
Are almonds bad for dogs?
Yes, almonds are bad for dogs. In fact, feeding your fur baby almonds can result in the following issues:
Almond poisoning
While almonds aren’t as dangerous as other nuts, canines have a tough time digesting them. Eating almonds can therefore cause gastrointestinal issues such as:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Abdominal discomfort
- Loss of appetite
Contact the vet immediately if your dog exhibits such symptoms after eating almonds.
Pancreatitis
Almonds are high in fat, so eating a bunch of them can contribute to weight gain. Worse, almond overconsumption can cause a potentially life-threatening condition called pancreatitis, which is when the pancreas becomes inflamed. Over time, pancreatitis can damage the pancreas as well as neighboring tissues and organs, causing your dog severe pain.
The symptoms of pancreatitis include:
- Repeated vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Painful or bloated abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Weakness or lethargy
- Hunched back
- Fever
Don’t hesitate to take your dog to the vet if you suspect they’re suffering from pancreatitis.
Excess phosphorus
Like most nuts, almonds are rich in phosphorus, a mineral that plays a vital role in keeping a dog’s bones, teeth, and metabolism healthy.
Unfortunately, excessive phosphorus intake is also bad for dogs, as it can lead to the following issues:
- Increased drinking
- Increased urination
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Muscle mass loss
- Reduced bone density
Consuming an overabundance of phosphorus can even encourage the formation of bladder stones.
Aflatoxin poisoning
Almonds and other types of tree nuts sometimes become home to the mold Aspergillus flavus, which produces a toxin called aflatoxin. While aflatoxin is unlikely to cause severe damage in humans, it can introduce your dog to a world of pain.
Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sluggishness
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice (due to liver damage)
- Unexplained bleeding or bruising
Aflatoxins can also affect your dog’s blood clotting ability and cause lasting liver problems. If untreated, it can lead to death.
What’s scary is that it’s possible for a pet to not display any symptoms during the early stages of toxicity. So if your dog eats any moldy almonds, seek veterinary aid as soon as possible.
Salt poisoning
Almonds are often salted to make them tastier. Here’s the issue: dogs can’t eat that much salt. A 33-pound dog should only eat around 100 mg of salt daily; exceeding this amount can lead to drastic, rapid dehydration. This impacts the muscles and even destroys brain cells, causing dizziness, seizures, and other issues.
The symptoms of salt toxicity include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Reduced appetite
- Incoordination
- Extreme thirst, causing excessive drinking and urination
- Confusion
- Respiratory problems
- Rapid heartbeat
As the toxicity grows worse, a dog can even experience:
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Fainting
- Coma
These symptoms typically emerge a few hours after the ingestion of excess salt.
Untreated salt toxicity can result in death. Therefore, if the above symptoms manifest after your dog eats salted almonds, call a vet for assistance immediately.
Allergic reaction
Some almonds sold at the grocery or supermarket are flavored. The problem is, artificial flavorings don’t always agree with dogs. If your pooch is unlucky, they could end up suffering from an allergic reaction, whose symptoms include:
- Itching
- Sneezing
- Skin rashes
- Oily, pigmented, scaly, or leathery skin
- Hair loss
- Red eyes and/or eye discharge
- Ear infection
- Hot spots
A severe allergic reaction is a situation requiring a trip to the vet for emergency treatment.
Esophageal or intestinal obstruction
When excited, dogs tend to forgo chewing their food. Unfortunately, swallowing something as hard and large as an almond can lead to a blockage in the esophagus or intestines, which can be life-threatening if allowed to go untreated.
The symptoms of throat obstruction include:
- Gagging and retching
- Regurgitation
- Loss of appetite
- Reduced energy
- Excessive drooling
- Depression
- Swallowing difficulty
- Breathing difficulty
- Persistent gulping
- Restlessness
The symptoms of intestinal obstruction include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or difficulty defecating
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive drooling
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal bloating
- Burping
- Lethargy
- Remaining still
- Refusal to lie down
- Tarry poop
Other problems
Commercially available almonds come in various forms. Some, for example, contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as garlic or onions. A small amount of such ingredients may cause digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea, while large quantities can result in permanent damage and even death.
Manufacturers sometimes cover almonds in sugar for those who want their nuts extra sweet. Sugar can give dogs digestive issues such as those mentioned above. However, eating sugar regularly can lead to worse issues, including obesity and associated chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Other problems sugar can cause include pancreatitis, tooth decay, and sugar addiction.
Then you’ve got chocolate-coated almonds. It’s a well-known fact that chocolate is extremely toxic to dogs, capable of causing everything from depression, hyperactivity, dehydration, and digestive issues to seizures, a heart attack, and even death. If you value your dog’s life, never give them any food that contains chocolate.
FAQs about almonds for dogs
Here, we answer more frequently asked questions about almonds for dogs.
My dog ate almonds. What should I do?
Don’t panic. Find out how many almonds your dog ate, and examine their ingredients list to see whether or not they contain toxins.
A few plain almonds shouldn’t cause your pooch problems. Nevertheless, keep an eye on them for digestive issues. Contact a vet for advice if they exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Consuming a bunch of plain almonds, almonds with mold, and/or almonds that contain toxic ingredients can lead to serious problems; contact a vet and do whatever they tell you to do. If they say your dog requires emergency care, rush them to the clinic/hospital. Postponing treatment can have fatal consequences.
If your dog chokes on the almond, they may require the Heimlich maneuver. They’ll likely need surgery to have an intestinal blockage removed.
If you can’t reach a vet, those in North America can also call the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
Can dogs eat sweet almonds?
Sweet almonds are the almond species that you can buy from the grocery or supermarket.
Your dog can’t eat sweet almonds. True, ingesting one or two nuts won’t cause them serious harm, but they may still experience digestive distress depending on how well they can tolerate this food. Eating more than a few can lead to more significant problems, such as almond poisoning, salt toxicity, and pancreatitis.
Can dogs eat bitter almonds?
That’s a big, fat no. As few as 7 bitter almonds can cause your dog lethal toxicity. Keep them far away from your pet!
Raw bitter almonds are particularly dangerous as they contain a toxin that the digestive process breaks down into cyanide, which can kill both dogs and humans.
Can dogs eat almond flour?
Nope. Ground-up almonds carry the same dangers as regular, whole almonds. A couple of pinches likely won’t hurt your dog, but a considerable amount can cause weight gain, pancreatitis, almond poisoning, and other problems.
Can dogs eat almond protein powder?
The answer is no. Like almond flour, almond protein powder is not healthy for dogs, and in great quantities can result in permanent damage and even death.
Can dogs eat almond bark?
Don’t feed your dog almond bark. Almonds are bad enough, but this confection also contains ingredients that can harm your dog, such as food coloring and artificial flavorings.
Can dogs eat almond granola bars?
No. In addition to containing almonds, these granola bars often include other ingredients that are bad for dogs, such as sugar, chocolate, and raisins (dried grapes).
Can dogs eat almond butter?
It’s a bad idea to feed dogs almond butter. While this food paste is easier on the gut than regular almonds, the other risk factors remain. In addition, this nut butter usually contains ingredients such as salt and an artificial sweetener called xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs. Save your dog from unnecessary suffering; don’t feed them almond butter!
Can dogs drink almond milk?
Almond milk contains an extremely diluted concentration of almonds, making it relatively safe for dogs to drink. However, it doesn’t offer many nutritional benefits to canines, making it a waste of space in your pet’s belly. It’s also fattening.
Avoid almond milk that’s been sweetened using the artificial sweetener xylitol, as this can cause severe toxicity and ultimately death.
Conclusion
Make sure not to feed your dog almonds or any food that contains almonds. These nuts can cause various problems, including but not limited to almond poisoning, pancreatitis, and weight gain.
Don’t hesitate to contact a veterinarian for help if your dog eats significant quantities of almonds and/or almonds containing toxic ingredients!