Generally, Almonds are safe for any breed of dog. However, different dogs, even within the same breed behave differently to human foods. Some dogs may not find it easy to digest almonds. They may suffer from gastric issues as well as tummy upsets. Once your dog is reacting negatively to anything almond, it is time to give up on this treat.
Can Dogs Drink Almond Milk?
Dogs can drink almond milk to a certain degree, but the question is, should they? Almond milk is considered a healthier alternative to normal milk when it comes to humans. How about dogs though?
Almond milk is not so different in terms of calories and fats. Even more so, the protein content does not vary much too. In regards to allergies, almonds score far better here. Almonds are a godsend for humans who are selectively allergic to legumes.
It should be noted that some dogs can be selectively allergic to tree nuts as well. The fact of the matter is your dog can indeed drink Almond milk. Nevertheless, you should exercise caution if you prefer a healthy pet. Though almonds are not toxic, it is not easy to digest for dogs.
Health Benefits
When fed in moderation, almond milk has a range of health benefits. With an array of vitamins and minerals, it helps boost overall health and immunity in dogs.
- Vitamin B3 puts a shiny coat on your dog, accounts for healthy liver and healthy eyes.
- Vitamin E eliminates the risks of cancer by eliminating free radicals in the body.
- Vitamin E boosts the overall immunity system in dogs.
- Calcium and phosphorous present in almonds help build healthy bones and joints.
The best option is to use almond milk that is exclusively made of unsalted almonds. Commercial brands of almond butter bought from stores such as Wholefoods has additional salt, sugar, oils, and sweeteners like honey. To ensure that your pet stays healthy, avoid the commercial almond milk altogether.
You should always avoid reduced-fat almond milk that contains Xylitol and other artificial sweeteners. Xylitol in almond milk can seriously harm your dog. It can prove to be fatal and costlier than you would imagine. Almond milk prepared for humans is not always healthy for pets too.
Dogs do not need to drink anything other than water. Dogs only need water in their diet. By giving them something else to drink, you are making them less likely to want to drink as much water.
As you know dogs, like humans need to drink a suitable amount of water every day. If they do not, they will become dehydrated and seriously ill. It is best not to give them another option in the long run.
Side Effects
Watch out for these symptoms after your pet has tried almond milk for the first time.
- Diarrhea: When ingested in excess, almonds cause diarrhea and vomiting. If your dog experiences these symptoms, serve a bland diet, and let the dog’s stomach settle. Provide them with an ample amount of fluids to keep them hydrated throughout the day.
- Upset Stomach: Not all dogs find digesting nuts easy. Therefore, too much almond milk can cause stomach upset. In the worst cases, they can have gastrointestinal and intestinal issues. If the symptoms are severe, immediately consult with your vet.
- Vomiting: When not taken in moderation, vomiting becomes common. You just have to provide for adequate hydration and supply a bland diet till the dog recovers. In the unlikely case of your dog not recovering within a couple of days, pay a visit to the vet.
- Obesity: Obesity is a serious issue with all breeds. It can lead to diabetes or hip dyslexia in dogs. Almond are known for high fat and their calorie count. Just as in the case of any calorie-dense food, almond milk leads to weight gain. When sweetened with sugar or honey, the calorie count goes even higher. Limiting portion sizes when you are using almond milk is vital. Almond milk should not become a part of their regular diet.
What If My Dog Drinks Too Much Almond Milk?
Once your dog gets an upset stomach or is in distress after drinking too much almond milk, it should naturally recover within a couple of days. All you need to do is to provide a bland diet and ensure your dog is fully hydrated throughout the recovery phase.
If the symptoms worsen or if the issue does not resolve in 1-2 days, pay a visit to your local veterinarian. Your vet should be able to come up with a more efficient treatment plan. Besides, he/she will also check for any allergies in your dog.
Ideally, a dog owner should immediately consult with their veterinarian, if you are worried about introducing anything new to their dog’s diet. This is just to make sure that no allergic reaction occurs.
If the vet is not available in your location, call up animal poison control or visit your local emergency clinic or veterinarian office. Their team will be able to assist with all the necessary information or arrange for a pickup.
Is Milk Good For Dogs In General?
If you want to be technical no, almond milk is not good for dogs. Dogs should not be eating or drinking human food on a regular basis. All human food, no matter how “nutritional” is still a treat to dogs. They should only be given in moderation.
Advantages of Almond Milk
Lactose-Free
Almond milk is lactose-free. Which is a great thing for humans that suffer from lactose intolerance. Dogs can be lactose intolerant as well, which not many people actually know. Although, as we have mentioned, your dog really should not be drinking/eating almond milk. If you are unsure if your dog is lactose intolerant though, you should contact your local veterinarian first.
There really are not too many advantages of feeding your dog almond milk. There are a lot of healthier and beneficial treats you can give your dog.
Disadvantages of Almond Milk
Obesity
A lot of people think that almond milk is healthy and low calorie because of two things. First, they think because it is lactose-free and is loved by vegans, it is suddenly healthy. This is further from the truth, especially for dogs.
Secondly, even though it is low in calories, almonds have a high amount of fat in them. A lot of nuts contain a large amount of fat. Which is in turn transfers into the milk that is created out of it.
Dogs do not need to be eating anything high in fat. This will lead them to be obese and struggle with their weight. Which will lead to some serious illnesses like diabetes and pancreatitis. Not to mention the extra weight will have an impact on your dog’s joints. Causing them problems with their movement throughout their body.
Almonds, like most nuts, are high in fat and can put your pup at risk of developing pancreatitis. It’s a serious condition that requires the attention of your veterinarian.
Read the original article – Can Dogs Eat Almonds by AKC
Branded Almond Milk
When it comes to the supermarket almond milk, it really is not that healthy. A lot of these products will contain ingredients that are not healthy or even deadly to dogs. To start with xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is deadly to dogs.
A lot of almond milk products have added ingredients that are not even mentioned on the label. This is because the product ingredients list is designed for humans, not your beloved dog. For this reason, it can be risky if you do not know what you are giving your dog.
Lastly, if you do read the label, it will probably say that there is only 2-3% of actual almonds in the product. They will usually top it up with additives and water mainly. A lot of the problems with this come from the filtering process, they lose a lot of the nutritional value.
Almond Milk vs Water
As we have mentioned above, dogs should only be drinking water. Introducing anything new into their routine is not a wise idea. You will just encourage them to be fussy when it comes to them needing something to drink. Almond milk will not hydrate your dog.
Even though we have talked about it doing no harm or not being toxic above, which is true to a degree. There are a lot better treats to give your dog, which they will love a lot more.
Only giving your dog water, will help you in the long run. It is all they know; you do not want to have a dog that refuses to drink water because they have tried almond milk.
Conclusion
So can dogs really drink almond milk? Yes, they can, it is not toxic to them. Although we advise you do not feed your dog for several reasons.
Some of the reasons being that almond milk really are not as healthy as everyone thinks, especially for dogs.
Also feeding your dog anything other than water can really cause you some trouble down the line. Dogs need water to hydrate themselves. They do not need to be drinking anything else, even if it is for a treat.
Overall, as we have mentioned above, dogs should only be drinking one thing and that is water… There are many healthier treats you can spoil your dog with, and we guarantee they will enjoy them more.
