Dogs are our best friends and most loyal companions. They bring us immeasurable amounts of love and joy. They’re family, so of course, we want to make sure everything we do for them is in their best interest. Food allergies, sensitivities, and toxicity can be intimidating to understand and scary to deal with. So, when you’ve got your jar of almond butter out, ready to spread on toast, and your pup is looking up at you with big eyes, you need to know can dogs have almond butter?
Is Almond Butter Toxic to Dogs?
You need to know that natural almond butter is not toxic to our k9 family members. So if your favorite furry friend got ahold of some by accident, they’d likely be just fine. That being said, some flavored or sweetened almond butter may contain artificial sweeteners like Xylitol, which can be extremely harmful to dogs.
Be sure that any almond butter you feed to or have around your pup is all-natural and unsweetened. Xylitol can cause hypoglycemia and liver failure in dogs. Meaning in high enough doses, it would kill them. Keep Xylitol-containing products, including artificially sweetened almond butter, far out of reach from your pup.
What About food Sensitivity? Can my Dog Digest Almond Butter?
Indeed, all-natural almond butter-free of additives and harmful artificial sweeteners is not toxic to dogs. However, some dogs may not digest almond butter as well as others. Some pups may process almond butter just fine, but for others, upset tummies may occur.
When first introducing your furry friend to almond butter, be sure to do it in small amounts. If your dog has gastric symptoms after trying almond butter for the first time, it could be a sign that they can’t digest almonds well. Observe them as you introduce them to almond butter. If any vomiting or diarrhea occurs, stop feeding them types of nut butter and switch to a bland diet until they’re feeling better. If symptoms get worse, be sure to contact your vet.
What About Nut Allergies? Could My Dog be Allergic to Almond Butter?
While not common, some dogs do develop nut allergies. In dogs, food allergies will typically manifest as red, itchy, inflamed skin marked by irritable bumps or bald patches. These symptoms can be most evident around their faces, under their legs, and between their toes.
Be sure to keep a watchful eye when introducing a new food into your dog’s diet because continued exposure to the histamines caused by allergic reactions can cause chronic long-term health issues if left untreated. The first signs of these types of histamine reactions can be ear infections and continued gastrointestinal distress.
One silver lining is that almonds, unlike peanuts, are tree nuts and not legumes. So, if your dog has exhibited allergies to peanut butter and you are looking for an alternative, almond butter may still be a viable option! However, suppose your dog has ever shown signs of an allergic reaction to other tree nuts or has had an anaphylactic reaction of any sort. In that case, you should check with your veterinarian before introducing any new nut butter into their diet.
So, Can Dogs Have Almond Butter?
Yes, as long as you introduce all-natural unsweetened almond butter to your pup in small doses while keeping an eye on their skin and gastrointestinal health, your dog can have almond butter. If your dog tolerates almond butter well, it can be a healthy source of B6, B3, and vitamin E. In moderation, the healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals in almond butter can be a great addition to your dog’s diet and a delicious treat.