No. Dogs can not eat almonds as a general rule.
Standard sweet almonds are non-toxic, but they are still not a recommended snack.
If your dog has eaten one or two and actually chewed them, then they will likely be fine.
However, if they have eaten more than this, or not chewed them properly, speak to your vet for further advice, as too much of them can cause potential digestive issues or worse.
Almonds present a few risks for your dog, hence them not being a recommended snack.
These risks include:
Bitter almonds
Bitter almonds contain traces of cyanide and are considered toxic to dogs. These should definitely be avoided.
Fortunately, bitter almonds are not widely sold in the US or elsewhere, due to this toxicity, so the risk of you having these in your home is minimal, but do check.
The standard edible type of almonds are known as sweet almonds and are what you generally will buy in the supermarket.
Sweet almonds are non-toxic to dogs, but can still cause potential issues, such as the ones listed below.
If they have not chewed the almond before swallowing, as dogs often do, then there are a few risks, so be sure to keep a watchful eye on them.
Blockages
This can be from the unchewed almond getting lodged in the dog’s esophagus, stomach or intestine or the possibility of the dog choking from getting it lodged in their windpipe.
Stomach upset
Almonds can potentially cause digestion issues for your dog, as they do not form part of their normal diet. This can include symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating and gas.
Additionally, their high natural fat content can potentially cause other issues, such as pancreatitis.
How many almonds can kill a dog? Are almonds poisonous to dogs?
This depends, but as regular almonds are not toxic, then your dog would have to choke on the almond for it to be an immediate risk to them.
There can be some confusion over the standard almonds that are widely sold and the other type, which are bitter almonds.
Bitter almonds contain traces of cyanide and are toxic.
They should not be fed to your dog under any circumstances. Fortunately, they are not widely available for sale.
Can dogs eat almond butter?
Maybe. A small amount of almond butter on occasion is unlikely to do your dog any harm.
As above, almonds are not a toxic nut for dogs but make sure it’s only a small amount that you feed them to ensure and that there are no additional ingredients included such as salt, sugar etc, as these can cause issues.
Conclusion
So, can dogs eat almonds?
Almonds are not a recommended food for dogs. If your dog does eat a couple of sweet almonds, then as long as they have chewed them properly, they will likely be ok.
In general, though, keep them away from your dog and contact your vet immediately if you have any concerns.
Want more? There are many other foods that your dog can eat, which we cover in our section here.
Related FAQ’s
Can dogs eat raw almonds?
Technically yes, but raw almonds are not a recommended snack for your dog.
There are many other dog-friendly snacks available, which we discuss in further detail here.
Will almonds make dogs sick?
They can do if your dog eats too many.
Additionally, if they have any other ingredients added, such as salt sugar and flavourings, which is quite common, these can cause your dog digestive issues as well as impacting their long-term health.
As above, it’s best to avoid giving your dog almonds in the first place and give them a safe dog-friendly treat such as these here.
Can one almond kill a dog?
It’s unlikely, as long as your dog chews it. See bitter almonds, blockages and stomach upset above for further details on the risks.
Check with your vet if you have any concerns.
Is almond milk good for dogs?
A small amount of almond milk is considered relatively safe for dogs to drink, due to almonds being non-toxic, but it’s still not a recommended drink for them.
As with any other processed food, almond milk can contain other ingredients which can cause stomach upset or worse, so if you are wanting to give your dog almond milk, check that it is additive-free.
Definitely avoid giving it to your dog if it contains xylitol, for the reasons mentioned here.
Your dog is far better off with fresh water, so skip the almond milk and give them that instead.
What nuts are toxic to dogs?
There are a few ones to watch out for but the main ones to avoid for their toxicity are walnuts, pecans and macadamias.
Further reading
If you want to find out more on what nuts your dog can and can’t eat, such as peanuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, cashews etc – as well as many other foods – take a look at our Can My Dog Eat section where we have put together many other helpful articles for you.
See you over there.