Almonds are a great way to kill your hunger cravings. They generally have a sweet taste and crunchy texture, which appeals to many taste preferences. Almonds are indeed loved by a vast majority of people due to their versatile taste, but what about animals? Many pet owners often ask such questions, and it is pretty reasonable. Every pet owner wishes to share their joys with their beloved pets, including the joys of gourmet and dining. So, can dogs eat almonds? Let’s’ find out!
Are Almonds Bad For Dogs?
Well, I have bad news for all my fellow dog owners. Almonds are indeed bad for dogs. They are not necessarily toxic for dogs, but they do pose a lot of health concerns and complications. Almonds are high in fat and can cause Pancreatitis and other dangerous health complications. Consuming almonds can also cause your dog gastrointestinal distress, bladder or kidney stones, and even aflatoxin poisoning.
While consuming one or two might not be an issue, however, as they say, better safe than sorry, so you should try to avoid feeding almonds to your dogs and keep them away from their reach.
Almond milk, on the other hand, is completely safe for dogs. It can be surprising, but almond milk is lactose-free and does not contain elements that can harm dogs. This means you can safely feed it to your dogs without worrying about lactose poisoning.
Are Roasted Almonds Bad For Dogs?
Yes, just like regular almonds, roasted almonds are also not good for dogs. Aside from all the risks almonds have, roasting them makes it even worse, as they become harder for dogs to chew and can cause choking hazards.
Can I Feed Salted Almonds To My Dog?
Salted almonds are very harmful to dogs. In addition to all the harm done by almonds, salt exacerbates the situation. Too much salt can cause salt toxicosis and other dangerous health complications.
Why Are Almonds Not Good For Dogs?
Dogs can not digest almonds. The minerals and vitamins in almonds are hard for dogs to digest, and they can cause an upset stomach. Here are some of the reasons why almonds are discouraged for dogs by experts:
- Dogs lack the appropriate enzymes: Certain digestive enzymes that dogs do not possess are necessary to digest proteins and fats present in almonds. This makes their absorption of these nutrients difficult.
- Fatty: Almonds are high in fat content compared with food approved for dogs. Eating fat can burden a dog’s digestive system and cause clinical signs, such as pancreatitis, once it is ingested.
- Almonds are a great source of fiber: This can be tough on your dog’s digestive system, causing a little discomfort and perhaps some upset tummies.
- Harmful Toxins: Almonds are not inherently toxic at typical levels. However, they are sometimes subject to slight contamination of cyanogenic glycosides, which may prove toxic when consumed in large amounts.
What Happens when dogs eat almonds?
One or two almonds are nothing to worry about, but anything more than that amount can be dangerous for your dogs. Eating almonds can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and loss of appetite. If your dog recently ate some almonds, you should look out for these symptoms and contact your vet as soon as you catch any signs. While almonds are not safe for dogs, there are many alternatives you can try, like cashews and even pistachios but in small quantities.
Conclusion
That’s all for today! Remember to always consult your vet before introducing new foods to your dog’s diet to avoid any issues. And when it comes to the question ‘Can dogs eat almonds?’—now you know! Keep almonds out of your dog’s reach, and there’s nothing to worry about.
But hey! What about almond butter? Find out if dogs can eat almond butter here!
