Almonds for dogs: are they beneficial?

Are almonds good for dogs?

Can dogs eat almonds?

Nuts belonging to the walnut family and pecans are toxic to dogs and must not be given to dogs under any condition. However, does this include almonds as well? Can dogs eat almonds? The short answer to this question would be NO. Even though almonds have not been observed to be specifically toxic to dogs, they have the ability to cause health issues in your pup and thus, should be avoided.

Can dogs eat almonds? Why are almonds such villains?

Even though there are a lot of dogs who love the taste of this dry fruit, consuming almonds can cause severe gastrointestinal distress in dogs. In case you notice that your dog has eaten a few almonds, keep an eye out for the following symptoms.

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

Now you know that the answer is no you can dogs eat almonds?. However, let’s discuss some of the potential dangers which almonds possess for dogs.

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Obstruction hazard

You must notice that your pup does not chew the food as diligently as you do. Dogs swallow more and chew less. Therefore, if your dog swallowed a complete almond, it could cause life-threatening obstruction in your dog’s esophagus, windpipe or even the stomach.

Severe gastrointestinal upset

Almonds are known to be high in fats. Excess of fats can cause pancreatitis in dogs. Some symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs are diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite and vomiting. A condition like pancreatitis can also cause simple indigestion or turn into a life-threatening disorder. If pancreatitis is suspected, it should be diagnosed as early as possible and treated aggressively by the veterinarian.

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Water retention issues

Like other packaged nuts, almonds are most often heavily salted. If your dog consumes a few almonds, this excess of salt can increase your dog’s water retention. This condition can be very dangerous for dogs who are suffering from heart diseases.

Potential allergy problems

As with any kind of food, your dog may have an allergic reaction towards almonds. Even though this is seen rarely, ingestion of almonds may lead to anaphylaxis which is a life-threatening condition. If you notice signs of an allergic reaction in your dog like coughing, hives, sneezing, swelling or difficulty in breathing, do not delay and contact your vet immediately.

Can dogs eat almond-flavored products?

The answer to this question, can dogs eat almond-flavored products would also be NO. Products that are almond flavored, even though they do not contain whole almonds, they contain artificial sweeteners, chemicals, and sugar which will harm the health of your dog. Therefore, make sure that you read through all the labels in a product before buying. It would be better if you have a discussion with your veterinarian before you share any human food item with your pup.

It has been observed that dogs enjoy the taste of almonds, especially flavored ones. However, since almonds can cause life-threatening conditions to your dog, it is advised that you keep almonds as far away from your dog as possible. It is your responsibility as the dog guardian to make sure that your dog does not get to eat almonds.

Now you have the answer to, ‘can dogs eat almonds’ as well as the potential health hazards almonds can cause. The next thing to understand here is what should you do as a dog guardian in case your dog consumes almonds.

How to proceed if your dog eats almonds?

It has been observed that dogs of different breeds and sizes react differently to ingesting identical quantities of nuts. If you notice that your dog consumed a few almonds but is not showing any signs of obstruction or choking, there is nothing to worry about. Make sure that the packet of almonds is away from your dog next time onwards.

However, if you are worried that your dog may have consumed up an entire bag of almonds, the best way to deal with the situation would be to induce vomiting in your dog. This treatment is most effective if the almonds have been eaten within the last 30 minutes.

To induce vomiting in your dog, you can use hydrogen peroxide. This must be done under the supervision of your veterinarian or personnel from the poison control department. If you are not sure as to when the nuts were eaten by your dog or if you are unable to induce vomiting, the only option you are left with is to monitor your dog for any indication of illness. If you are worried and can take your dog to the vet. If you are staying at home and monitoring your dog and you notice that your dog suddenly becomes ill, call your veterinarian and take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

If your dog ate a few almonds and you do not observe any sign of bloating, gagging, choking, discomfort or vomiting, then you may watch your pup and keep an eye out for any signs of discomfort in your dog. Under such conditions, your dog will most likely be okay and not suffer from a serious health condition.

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Conclusion

What are your thoughts on ‘can dogs eat almonds? Has your dog ever eaten an almond? Did you observe any signs of distress in your dog? What did you do once you notice that your dog ate almonds? Please share your experiences with us as well as with the world in the comment section below. If you would like to be notified about the new articles as and when they are published, please subscribe to the blog.

If you have any queries pertaining to this blog post or any other blog post, feel free to reach out to me on any of my social media channels. You can also leave your queries in the comment section below. I will be happy to help.

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Shruti