Dogs want to taste everything you are eating and desire everything like juicy New York strip steak- even if it is full of nuts or with some lettuce leaves. But in reality, we cannot serve everything we are eating to our dogs- and in the case of nuts, some are poisonous and can be dangerous.
Almonds are very nutritious for people, but the question is can dogs eat almonds? The simple answer is no. Though almonds are less harmful than other nuts like macadamia nuts and walnuts, they can still be the reason for health issues in dogs and must be avoided.
This blog will discuss how dogs can eat almonds, the potential hazards, and whether all nuts are harmful to dogs?
The Bad effects of almonds
Almonds are indeed enriched with vitamin E, which helps minimize the risk of heart diseases, antioxidants protect against harmful effects of free radicals, and the presence of magnesium minimizes blood pressure, the harmful effects to your dog neglect the health benefits.
The properly processed almonds are not directly dangerous to your dog. Moreover, their system cannot digest the proteins present in nuts.
Some of the harmful effects of almonds on dogs are
- Choking problem
- Indigestion
- Increased fluid retention
- Allergies (coughing, hives, sneezing, and difficult breathing)
- Aflatoxin Poisoning
- Pancreatitis
- Bladder and kidney stones
Can Dogs eat other almond varieties?
No, some almond types are harmful to dogs because of their increased risk factor, like
- Bitter Almonds- regular and sweet almonds. They contain cyanide, and due to toxicity, they cannot be sold in simple forms. However, they can be present in almond-flavored extract or almond liqueurs.
- Chinese Almonds are kernels of many apricot varieties, specifically grown for seed. They have cyanide in trace amounts and can be very harmful to dogs if consumed in large quantities. For that specific reason, they must be blanched or roasted before consumption.
Are all nuts harmful to dogs?
Generally, all nuts in large amounts are toxic. Below are some nuts that can be dangerous for your dog and result in many health problems, even if served as an occasional treat.
- Pecans
- Macadamia nuts
- Walnuts
- Pistachios
- Hazelnuts
- Cashew
What are the safe alternatives to almonds for dogs?
Yes, some nuts are safe and provide the same health benefits as almonds.
- Peanut butter
- Peanut
- Roasted chestnuts
What to do if a dog eats almonds?
Few almonds don’t cause harm as long as the pup is not tolerant. Ensure to observe the signs of choking if your dog consumes some almonds. Contact your vet if you follow diarrhea, vomiting, or intestinal blockage symptoms.
However, don’t wait for signs if the dog consumed almonds in large amounts.
Conclusion
No, dogs cannot eat almonds. Though almonds are less harmful than other nuts like macadamia nuts and walnuts, they can still be the reason for health issues in dogs and must be avoided.
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