Can Dogs Eat Almonds? 5 Potential Benefits and 5 Side Effects

In this research you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Almonds? 5 Potential Benefits and 5 Side Effects“.

Almonds are one of the tastiest nuts so they’re great for human health. Can dogs consume almonds as well and are almonds safe for dogs to consume? What are the health benefits of feeding almonds to dogs and are there any side effects? Here are some details.

YES you can give your dog almonds – but only in very small amounts – if you have been wondering about this. Almonds are good for dogs and may provide some health benefits but if you give too much you could cause serious side effects.

What this food is and if almonds are good for dogs will be discussed in this research as well as how many almonds a dog can eat and what the benefits and side effects are.

What are almonds?

Almonds are seeds that come from a tree of the same name. Cherries plums and peaches (which you can give to your dog) are also closely related to these seeds.

Nutritious and high in unsaturated fats almonds are a good source of nutrition. A potent health force these edible seeds (often called nuts) contain essential vitamins and minerals.

This is what raw almonds look like:

Studies have shown that almonds can help lose weight in humans since almonds are a very weight-loss-friendly food and speed up metabolism (1 2 3). The researchers also found that they improved blood pressure and heart health (56).

The consumption of almonds can regulate blood sugar levels and help people with diabetes (7 8 9). Furthermore consuming almonds will improve gut health and digestion (10 11).

But can dogs consume almonds and reap the same health benefits as humans? Are there any adverse effects of feeding almonds to dogs? Almonds for dogs have not been studied as much but we can still draw some conclusions so lets take a look.

Can Dogs Eat Almonds?

Is it safe for dogs to eat almonds? Actually almonds are fine for dogs to eat.

A caveat is that dogs should only be fed almonds in extremely small amounts meaning one or two almond seeds per meal.

Natural and raw almonds completely unsalted and unflavored are the best choices.

Dogs should not be fed large amounts of almonds because this could result in adverse effects and potentially serious health problems as we discuss below.

The following nutrients are found in almonds that are beneficial to dogs:

• Vitamin B2
• Vitamin E
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Potassium
• Phosphorus
• Iron

Almonds are also an excellent source of healthy dietary fats proteins and carbohydrates. These and all of the above are nutrients that dogs can benefit from but how much can they actually absorb and how many almonds do they need to reap the benefits?

5 Potential Benefits of Almonds for Dogs

Almonds are good for dogs then? If they are fed in small quantities.

These are some of the potential health benefits your dog may gain from eating almonds and limiting the serving to 1-2 almond seeds.

1. Almonds contain Vitamin B2 which provides several health benefits

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is an antioxidant that has been extensively studied in people and has been shown to make a significant impact on health in a variety of ways.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) can prevent cataracts in dogs support strong bone growth and reproduction and assist the body in creating red blood cells.

A healthy coat nails and hair are also dependent upon vitamin B2. Additionally vitamin B2 may prevent urinary stones from forming.

2. Vitamin E’s antioxidant properties ward off various diseases

Among the benefits of almonds is their high vitamin E content which has been shown to play a crucial role in the prevention of heart disease and cancer.

Almonds may be beneficial to your heart because of the vitamin E they contain. Almonds contain vitamin E which may reduce blood pressure and prevent cell damage in dogs.

3. Magnesium improves many important body functions

Almonds contain magnesium an element that promotes bone growth and protein synthesis in a canines body. Moreover it facilitates the absorption of vitamins and minerals by the body.

Magnesium has been extensively researched for its beneficial effects on all living organisms particularly in the areas of bone health and blood pressure.

4. Potassium helps to promote vital body functions in dogs

All dogs need potassium in their diet as another essential nutrient. A small amount of potassium is found in almonds which helps maintain healthy blood vessel functions and replace electrolytes in a dogs body.

Dogs’ muscles also benefit from potassiums strength-building properties.

5. Antioxidants in almonds are super-powered health receptors

Similar to humans antioxidants (vitamins) are vital to dogs since they protect their cells from the damaging effects of oxidative stress.

Several diseases such as canine cancer may be prevented by the antioxidants present in almonds and they may also help to slow down the aging process in dogs.

“So can I give my dog almonds?”

If you give dogs almonds in very small amounts they would not be toxic. Nuts and seeds are fine for your dog to eat in small amounts but not more.

Dogs can benefit from almonds for dogs if they are fed a small serving to reap some of the health benefits without experiencing any potential side effects.

Excessive consumption of almonds depending on the size of your dog (for some dogs this means more than 3 almond seeds) can cause toxicity or at the very least some minor health problems and side effects.

The Bottom Line There is a very small amount of almonds your dog can eat without harming him. A dog who consumes more than 3 almond seeds at a time may experience minor health problems.

5 Potential Side Effects of Almonds for Dogs

In very small amounts almonds are healthy for dogs and they can even benefit their dogs. If too many almonds are consumed however some side effects may occur.

Almonds in certain cases can even pose a health risk to people. They are especially risky for people with allergies (12) can increase the risk of kidney stones in some individuals (13) and can inhibit the absorption of certain minerals like calcium (14).

Dogs who consume too many almonds face the following health risks:

1. Gastrointestinal upset

In large amounts almonds are very high in unsaturated fats which dogs have difficulty digesting. These foods may cause diarrhea vomiting and loss of appetite.

2. Obstruction and choking

Because almonds are small they can pose an obstruction and choking threat to dogs especially if your pet gets a hold of them without you.

An almond can get stuck in a dogs stomach esophagus or windpipe since dogs tend to swallow rather than chew. People with small breed dogs in particular should be cautious when feeding their pets.

3. Risk of canine pancreatitis

As with many other foods over-exposure to certain nutrients can lead to canine pancreatitis especially when it occurs frequently.

There is a high level of unsaturated dietary fat in almonds. Although its healthy in small amounts feeding large amounts to your dog may result in pancreatitis an inflammation of the pancreas in which the pancreas becomes inoperative.

It is painful and uncomfortable for your dog to suffer from pancreatitis. In addition to vomiting repeatedly the dog may lose his appetite and his stomach may be tender and swollen.

The dog must be hospitalized for this condition which is classified as an emergency. For recovery the dog will receive IV fluids pain medications and antibiotics at the hospital.

4. Water retention in dogs

Apart from raw almonds other versions of this nut are usually heavily salted (and would not be a good choice anyway for many other reasons). Both dogs and people are susceptible to water retention when they consume too much salt and sodium.

It is particularly dangerous for dogs with heart disease to retain excessive water. There are also side effects such as canine bloat intestinal discomfort and vomiting.

5. Sodium overdose in dogs

Salt and sodium cannot be broken down by dogs as easily as they can by humans and almonds can contain high levels of sodium that can be dangerous to health.

When dogs overdose on sodium they drink excess water which leads to frequent urination and immense strain on their circulatory and digestive systems.

Diarrhea bloat vomiting and in severe cases seizures are all symptoms of sodium overdose in dogs

Can Dogs Eat Almonds?

Therefore dogs can eat almonds. Almonds are beneficial for dogs but they should be given in very tiny amounts (1-3 almond seeds per serving).

Almonds should be natural raw unsalted unflavored and unflavored if you must.

In order to prevent the dangers of overfeeding a dog it is not recommended that this nut seed be given as a treat on a regular basis.

If you have almonds in your home try to keep them out of reach of your dog to prevent an accidental eating binge and an overdose of almonds.

As a rule of thumb bananas are a much better less potentially harmful treatments to feed your dog instead of almonds on a regular basis.

If you want to read more about dog food tips read here: Dog Food Tips and Tricks.

Can Dogs Eat Almonds? 5 Potential Benefits and 5 Side Effects (Watch Video)