If you’re looking for a healthy source of protein, you’ve probably enjoyed almonds! They may be tasty for us, but they’re very bad for dogs. You may be wondering what to do if your dog ate an almond.
According to the American Kennel Club, dogs should not eat almonds because a dog’s digestive system is not equipped to process almonds or nuts in general. Though one almond may not be cause for alarm, if a dog eats more than one, it should be taken to a vet for assistance in keeping it’s internal system healthy.
So, maybe a dog can eat an almond, but because of their weak digestive systems, they shouldn’t! In this article, we’ll go over what to do if your dog has eaten an almond, why almonds are dangerous, and the recovery process for a dog that has been affected negatively by almonds.
Table of Contents
- What To Do If Your Dog Ate an Almond
- Why Eating an Almond Can Be Dangerous For Dogs
- How Can a Dog Be Treated For Health Issues After Eating Almonds?
- The Hazards of Almonds for Dogs
- Identifying Almond Ingestion Symptoms
- What to Do if Your Dog Eats Almonds
- Possible Health Complications
- Preventing Almond Ingestion
Key Takeaways
- Almonds can pose a risk to your dog’s health.
- Symptoms of almond ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.
- If your dog eats almonds, contact your vet for advice on what to do next.
What To Do If Your Dog Ate an Almond
If your dog has taken a liking to snacking on almonds, you may be wondering how you should proceed to keep your pet in the best health possible.
The good news is, almonds aren’t poisonous! The bad news is, they can still cause a four-legged family member to have a hard time breathing and digesting food. If your dog did eat almonds, follow these steps:
- Find Out What Almond Your Dog Ate
- Gather Your Dog’s Medical History
- Get Advice From a Vet
Let’s take a more close examination of these three steps in order to make sure your pooch’s health stays on track even after eating almonds!
1. Find Out What Almond Your Dog Ate
This step may seem a little odd, but some almonds are actually more dangerous to dogs than others are. For example, a Chinese almond, otherwise known as the seed of an apricot, has small amounts of cyanide poison inside and even a few could hurt your pet.
On the other hand, even regular almonds can be large enough to affect different dog breeds negatively in a variety of ways. Some almonds also contain a type of mold that can be like kryptonite to dogs. This information will be helpful when consulting a veterinary professional.
2. Gather Your Dog’s Medical History
When you take your dog to get much-needed medical help, it will be most beneficial for you, your vet, and your dog to give them as much information as possible. This means you should observe any changes in your dog’s behavior recently, even before eating the dreaded almonds!
Additionally, make sure to take note of any recent injuries, diet changes, or previous medical issues, whether addressed by a vet or not. The most important element to consider is the kinds of foods your dog has had access to in the near history.
3. Get Advice From a Vet
Once you’ve collected enough information, both about your dog’s symptoms, previous history, and the almond-related incident, it is time to head to the vet’s office! This is because, although almonds are small enough to seem like no big deal, only a vet is able to professionally judge your dog’s health thoroughly.
A vet will be able to tell how much your pet’s digestive system is suffering from the effects of the almond, and recommend the best treatment for the case!
Why Eating an Almond Can Be Dangerous For Dogs
Though almonds are small, they can pack a big punch in terms of your canine’s health. Most almonds are processed to remove harmful chemicals, so although they aren’t being poisoned, dogs that eat almonds mainly suffer from not being able to digest the nuts.
Almonds can affect a dog’s weight, their bowels, and their pancreas. Some almonds, as previously stated, also have a type of mold called Aspergillus, which, in turn, contains aflatoxins.
Below is a list of the possible health issues that a dog’s body can suffer from after eating almonds:
- Too Many Almonds Eaten At Once – A dog may become dehydrated, poop out greasy diarrhea, and vomit often if they’ve had too many almonds recently.
- Aflatoxin Poisoning – If a dog ate almonds with any Aspergillus mold, they may experience yellowed skin and eyes, extreme exhaustion, an unwillingness to eat, vomiting, and ultimately, liver failure.
- Pancreatitis – One of the problems with eating almonds is that it aggravates the canine pancreas. A dog may have symptoms of depression, dehydration, diarrhea, fever, heart irregularities, no appetite, orange urine, stomach pain, a swollen belly, vomiting, weight loss, and a lack of energy if they have pancreatitis.
If your dog is suffering from any of these symptoms, it is time to call your vet and get help resolving the problem!
How Can a Dog Be Treated For Health Issues After Eating Almonds?
If your dog has eaten almonds and is experiencing signs of health distress, it could take the form of many issues. For example, if your dog is dehydrated after eating almonds, recovery may look like raising fluid levels at the vet’s through an IV.
For another example, if a dog is experiencing nausea because the almonds have damaged their digestive tract, they may need to go on anti-nausea meds or antibiotics. Of course, if your pooch is in any pain, such as having stomach aches, pain meds will likely be prescribed.
Finally, if your pup is suffering from aflatoxin poison after eating almonds with Aspergillus mold, they’ll need Vitamin K and protective drugs to prevent the damage it can do to the liver.
Aflatoxin poisoning is the most serious of the consequences for your dog after indulging in almonds. There is no known cure, so getting a vet’s assistance is one of those decisions where it is better to be safe than sorry!
If your pet is exhibiting signs of pancreatitis, it’s possible that your vet will want you to stop feeding your pet through the mouth for a few days, or only feed the dog low-fat, high-fiber foods. This allows the pancreas to heal and recover enough to stop swelling up.
The Hazards of Almonds for Dogs
Toxicity of Almonds
Almonds are not toxic to dogs, but they can cause digestive issues if consumed in large quantities.
Choking Risk
Whole almonds can pose a choking hazard for dogs, especially small breeds. It’s best to avoid feeding them whole almonds.
High Fat Content
Almonds are high in fat, which can lead to pancreatitis in dogs. This condition causes inflammation of the pancreas and can be life-threatening.
Salt and Seasoning Dangers
Salted or seasoned almonds can contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as garlic or onion powder. It’s best to avoid feeding your dog any seasoned almonds.
Sources:
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Pet Poison Helpline
Overall, while almonds are not toxic to dogs, they can pose several hazards. It’s best to avoid feeding your dog almonds altogether.
Identifying Almond Ingestion Symptoms
Immediate Symptoms
If your dog has ingested almonds, you may notice immediate symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and gagging. Other symptoms may include lethargy, loss of appetite, and discomfort.
Long-Term Symptoms
Long-term symptoms may include depression, fever, tremors, difficulty breathing, seizures, and jaundice. Your dog may also experience a lack of appetite and nausea.
It’s important to note that not all dogs will experience symptoms of almond poisoning. If you suspect your dog has ingested almonds, it’s best to contact your veterinarian immediately.
Sources:
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Pet Poison Helpline
What to Do if Your Dog Eats Almonds
Immediate Actions
If you catch your dog eating almonds, take immediate action. Remove any remaining almonds and check for signs of choking or difficulty breathing. If your dog is showing symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, monitor them closely.
Contacting Your Veterinarian
Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. They can provide professional veterinarian advice on what to do next. Be prepared to provide information such as your dog’s age, weight, and the amount and type of almonds they consumed.
Emergency Vet Services
If your veterinarian is unavailable or it is after hours, consider contacting an emergency vet service. The Pet Poison Helpline is also available 24/7 for advice.
Remember, almonds can be harmful to dogs, so it’s important to take action quickly. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you’re unsure what to do.
Sources:
- OurFitPets.com
- Chat with a Veterinarian
- Ask a Vet Live Now
- Online Veterinary 24/7
Possible Health Complications
Pancreatitis
Eating almonds can cause pancreatitis in dogs. This condition can be fatal if left untreated. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
Liver Failure
Almonds contain high amounts of fat, which can lead to liver failure in dogs. Symptoms include yellowing of the skin and eyes, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Obesity
Almonds are high in calories and can contribute to obesity in dogs. This can lead to a host of health problems, including diabetes and heart disease.
Kidney Failure
Almonds contain high amounts of phosphorus, which can lead to kidney failure in dogs. Symptoms include increased thirst and urination, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Heart Arrhythmias
Almonds contain a compound called cyanide, which can cause heart arrhythmias in dogs. Symptoms include irregular heartbeat, weakness, and collapse.
Sources:
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Pet Poison Helpline
Preventing Almond Ingestion
To keep your furry friend safe, it’s important to prevent almond ingestion. Here are some tips:
- Keep almonds and other nuts in sealed containers out of reach.
- Avoid feeding your dog human food, especially nuts and seeds.
- Teach your dog the “leave it” command to prevent them from eating anything harmful.
Remember, prevention is key. If your dog does ingest almonds, monitor them closely for any signs of illness. If you have pet insurance, check if it covers potential medical conditions related to nut ingestion.
Sources:
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- PetMD
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.
