Can dogs eat almonds? Why most vets say skip them

Dogs should not be given almonds. Almonds are not poisonous to dogs the way macadamia nuts are, but they are hard to digest, easy to choke on, high in fat, and usually sold salted or flavored. One or two plain almonds picked up off the floor are unlikely to harm a healthy medium or large dog. They are still a poor choice as a treat, and a worse one for a small dog or an old one.

Are almonds bad for dogs?

Not toxic, but not a good idea, for four reasons.

• They are hard to digest. Dogs tend to swallow nuts whole, and their gut does not break almonds down well. Vomiting, gas and loose stools are the usual result.
• They can choke or block. A whole almond can lodge in the throat or intestine of a small dog, and a full bag can block a dog of any size.
• They are high in fat. In some dogs a rich or fatty snack is followed by pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas that needs a vet. The calories also add up fast for a dog who is carrying extra weight.
• They are usually salted or flavored. A lot of salt can make a dog ill. Savory coatings often contain onion or garlic powder, which are toxic to dogs, as is the chocolate on chocolate-covered almonds. Some sugar-free coatings contain xylitol, a sweetener that is poisonous to dogs.

Three cases are more serious. Mixed nuts and trail mix often contain macadamia nuts, raisins or chocolate, all toxic to dogs. Moldy nuts can carry toxins from the mold. Bitter almonds, which are rarely sold as a snack, contain compounds that can release cyanide. If your dog ate any of these, call your vet or an animal poison control line now.

What to do if your dog ate almonds

First work out what was eaten: how many, plain or coated, and what else was in the bag. Check the label for xylitol (sometimes listed as birch sugar), chocolate, onion, garlic, raisins and macadamia nuts. If any are there, call your vet or an animal poison control line straight away, before signs appear.

If it was a few plain almonds and your dog is a healthy adult of medium size or larger, a mild stomach upset is the most likely result. Offer water, feed normal meals, and watch for the next day or two for the signs listed below. Do not try to make your dog vomit at home unless a vet has told you to and explained how.

Call your vet for advice the same day if your dog is small, ate a large amount, has had pancreatitis before, or has a health condition such as heart or kidney disease and the nuts were salted. A dog who starts vomiting more than once after eating nuts should be seen.

Can dogs have almond milk?

A lick or a small splash of plain, unsweetened almond milk is not toxic to dogs. It is mostly water, so it lacks the choking and blockage risk of whole nuts. Dogs do not need it, though, and it adds nothing a complete dog food does not already provide.

Read the carton before you share any. Sweetened and chocolate versions are not for dogs, and a product sweetened with xylitol is dangerous even in a small amount. If your dog drank almond milk that lists xylitol or birch sugar, call your vet or an animal poison control line now.

The same label check applies to almond butter, which is very high in fat and sometimes sweetened with xylitol, and to anything baked with almond flour, where the other ingredients are usually the bigger concern.

Why almonds are riskier for older dogs

• Teeth. Many senior dogs have worn or loose teeth and sore gums. A hard nut can crack a weakened tooth, and a dog who cannot chew swallows it whole. If your dog is dropping food or chewing on one side, read about dental care for senior dogs.
• Pancreas. Pancreatitis is seen more often in middle-aged and older dogs and in overweight dogs. A dog who has had it is often kept on a low-fat diet afterwards, which rules out nuts.
• Gut. An older gut moves and recovers more slowly. An upset that a young dog shakes off in a day can leave an old dog dehydrated.
• Heart and kidneys. Dogs with heart disease or kidney disease are often on a diet with controlled salt. Salted nuts work against it.

For a treat that suits an older dog's teeth, weight and conditions, ask your vet. The senior pet nutrition guide covers how treats fit into an older dog's diet.

Call the vet today if

Call your vet, an emergency clinic or an animal poison control line now if your dog has eaten almonds and any of these apply:

• The almonds were coated or mixed with chocolate, xylitol, onion, garlic, raisins or macadamia nuts, were moldy or bitter almonds, or you are not sure what was in them
• Your dog is choking, gagging, pawing at the mouth or struggling to breathe
• Vomiting more than once, or vomiting with nothing coming up
• A painful, tight or swollen belly, a hunched back, or a stretched-out posture with the front end down
• Refusing food, or straining and passing no stool
• Weakness, wobbling, trembling, collapse or a seizure
• Your dog is small, elderly or has had pancreatitis, and ate more than one or two

Signs of a blockage or pancreatitis can take a day or more to show, so keep watching after the first evening.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. How a dog reacts to almonds depends on the dog's size, age and health and on what the nuts were coated with, so we cannot tell you that any amount is safe for your dog. If your dog has eaten almonds and you are worried, or the product contained other ingredients, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service.