Can Dogs Have Almonds? The answer to this question is, No. Dogs may find everything desirable that you eat. But your pet cannot take a bite of everything you eat. Especially when it comes to nuts.
Dr. Richard Goldstein is chief medical offer at the Animal Medical Center NYC. He says that nuts including pecans and walnut family are toxic to dogs.
He also said that almonds are off-limits too for dogs. Almonds are not toxic but still, they pose potential health problems for dogs.
This article will guide you thoroughly about can dogs have almonds. So, if you are interested to know what to do if your pet has almonds then read the article till the end.
Can Dogs Have Almond?
Almond contains a specific kind of mold known as Aspergillus mold. This mold contains Aflatoxin. This substance can be a reason for poisoning in dogs. Particularly, canines are affected by it.
Moreover, many almonds come with salt and other seasonings. That can be harmful to your pet too. Excessive salt can cause water retention. This condition is especially dangerous for dogs with heart problems.
One or two almonds are not likely to impact the health of a dog. Besides, if your dog is not allergic. There is probably no cause for concern if your dog appears to be fine several hours after eating the nuts.
Many pet owners ask about things that are just almond flavored and do not contain the full nuts. Almond flavored products often include sugar, chemicals, artificial sweeteners, and other things. They can also harm your dog’s health.
Make sure that you read all labels carefully. However, it is always a good idea to consult your veterinarian before sharing any human food with your furry friend.
The Potential Dangers of Almonds for Dogs
Given below are a few hazards that might come along with your pup ingesting almond:
Obstruction Hazard
Dogs do not chew their food in the same manner as humans do. So if they swallow the almonds, it can lead to severe life threatening obstructions of:
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- The windpipe, if aspirated in small breed dogs.
Potential Severe Gastrointestinal Upset
In some dogs, almonds can cause a flair-up of pancreatitis as they have high fats. Some of the signs of pancreatitis are:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
Pancreatitis can cause simple indigestion. Also, it can become severe and leads to a fatal disorder. When suspected, your veterinarian should properly diagnose pancreatitis and aggressively treat it.
Possible Water Retention
Just like many packages nuts, almonds are heavily salted most often. This intake of salt can lead to excessive water retention in dogs. It is alarming for dogs with heart disease.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Almonds?
Pets of various sizes may react completely differently to an identical quantity of nuts ingested. There is a little cause of concern if your dog consumes a couple of almonds. Also, he is not presenting any signs of obstruction or choking.
Perez says that if you think your pet just ate a few pound bag of almonds that you left by the sofa. Then the best treatment is to induce vomiting. Make sure that ingestion occurred within the previous 30 minutes.
You can do this using hydrogen peroxide with the recommendation of a veterinarian. Also, with the assistance of poison control.
In some cases, the only option is to monitor your pet for signs of illness. Such as if you are not sure of when the dog consumed nuts, or you are not able to induce vomiting. You should call the veterinarian and make an appointment immediately.
If your dog ingested only a few almonds and there are no signs of choking or discomfort then the dog is likely to be okay.
You must remember that dogs do not get the same benefits from almonds as human. So avoid giving almonds to them. In case they ingest a significant amount of almond, make an appointment with a veterinarian immediately.
I hope you like my post about can dogs have almonds. If you have any query or want to give suggestions then write them down in the comments section. We will be waiting to hear from you soon.
