Almonds have numerous health benefits for humans. But, can dogs eat almonds? The answer would be NO. They aren’t as toxic as some other nuts, it’s one of those foods dogs can’t digest as easily as humans. Your dog’s digestive system can’t process nuts well and may lead to obstructions. They also lead to choking hazards and other dangers in your dog’s stomach.

Why are almonds not safe for dogs?

  • Almonds aren’t the worst nut to give your dog. However, they are a huge choking hazard. They are also susceptible to a mold called Aspergillus which produces a toxin called aflatoxin. This toxin can cause severe poisoning in your puppies. There is no cure for aflatoxin poisoning so treatment is only supportive. It also means that if you see symptoms, it’s vital to get them checked out quickly.  
  • Almonds are also high in salt, fat, and phosphorus and could contain sweeteners like xylitol which can kill dogs. Almonds, which are covered in salt and other seasonings that can be harmful to dogs. Too much salt can cause water retention, which is particularly dangerous for dogs with heart conditions. Salt consumption in large quantities can lead to salt toxicity. Spices and seasonings can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs. 
  • Almonds are high in phosphorus, which may make bladder stones more likely to make. The high-fat content can lead to a gastrointestinal upset in the short term and conditions like obesity and pancreatitis in the long term.
  • Even a small amount could cause mild symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and gastrointestinal distress. The more nuts they eat the more likely they’ll experience poisoning from the mold, obesity, pancreatitis, and digestive blockages. 

Anything having almond-flavored products often contains sugar, artificial sweeteners, chemicals, and other things that could harm your dog’s health.

What do you need to do if your dogs eat almonds?

Monitor your dog for diarrhea, vomiting, unsettled sleeping, and changes in appetite within the next 6-12 hours. Any one of the above signs would warrant a trip to the vet. One or two almonds may not have impacted your dog’s health unless your dog isn’t allergic to them. Keep your eyes on your dogs for signs of choking if your dog has swallowed an almond. You should also examine the symptoms of gastrointestinal blockage, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, or other digestive system issues and call your vet doctor if you recognize them. After eating nuts, if your dog still appears to be fine then you might not need to worry.

Symptoms of almond poisoning:-

Here are some symptoms that you may examine in your dogs:

  • Potential Choking Hazard:- Almonds are obstruction hazards for your dogs.  Dog’s mouth is not make up for chewing. This is especially true for small puppies.
  • Risk of indigestion:- Your dog’s gastrointestinal system is another thing to consider. Perhaps a handful of almonds won’t create an emergency but one thing is for sure his digestive system will struggle a lot. 
  • Possible fluid retention:- Packaged nuts are heavily seasoned with salt. Too much salt makes your dog seriously thirsty and may increase water retention. This is particularly dangerous to dogs with heart issues. It also injures the kidneys, which may lead to renal discomfort. 
  • Almonds could aggravate pancreatitis:- Almonds are quite high in fat, which is the reason for developing pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which is marked by abdominal pain. It should be accurately diagnosed and aggressively treated by your vet doctor. 
  • Increase in the risk of bladder and kidney stones:- The high phosphorus content in almonds increases the likelihood of forming bladder and kidney stones- both of which are terribly painful for dogs. The bladder may rupture if the obstruction isn’t removed, which is potentially life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
  • Almonds may cause allergies:- Your dog may have an allergic reaction to almonds. If you see the signs of an allergic reaction, including sneezing, coughing, swelling, or difficulty breathing, contact your veterinary doctor right away.
  • Aflatoxin poisoning:- Aflatoxin in food is mildly toxic to humans but dogs are sensitive to it.

Your dog will not get beneficial nutrients from almonds. It is only an upscale yet unnecessary addition to your dog’s diet.