Can Dogs Have Almond Butter?

You want the best for your dog and want to ensure whatever they eat doesn’t harm them, but it is not as easy as you might think. Dogs can be very spirited and want whatever you are eating. Some of the favorites with most dogs include nut butter.

Today, we are looking at almond butter. Is it safe for dogs or will it cause them harm? Let’s see!

Almond Butter

It is made using almonds. Most people love its subtle taste that isn’t as strong as other kinds of nut butter.

The butter is made by grinding roasted or raw almonds with extra ingredients added. Almond butter comprises at least 90% almonds, while other ingredients, such as vanilla, honey, salt, and more, make up the rest of the 10%.

You should be careful about the added ingredients, especially if you want to give your furry friend almond butter. You must check the label or the ingredients list to determine whether they are safe for your pup. Different brands use different ingredients to make almond butter – some can be dog-friendly.

Related: Can Dogs Eat Almonds? What Are The Dangers

Can Dogs Eat Almond Butter?

Almonds are some of the nuts that are safe for dog consumption, and so is almond butter. Once you confirm that the other ingredients used will not harm your dog, you can give them the butter.

Caution is still necessary when giving them the butter as they should not have too much. You also must be cautious of almond sensitivities because some dogs cannot digest almonds or have a low almond tolerance.

The best way to test whether your pup can ingest and digest almonds without any adverse effects is by giving them a small amount of almond butter and watching their reaction. You know it is safe if nothing happens within 24 hours of ingesting it.

If your dog shows symptoms such as flatulence, vomiting, and diarrhea, it might have a low almond tolerance. You, therefore, have to avoid giving them almond butter, even in small amounts, to prevent causing them pain or making them uncomfortable.

Can Almond Butter Be Dangerous To Dogs?

Although almond butter is a suitable treat, it can still pose a danger to your furry friend. One of the dangers is triggering an intolerance. Other reasons almond butter can be dangerous to your canine friend include:

Allergies

Dogs can develop allergies to some nuts, and you must be careful about this. You should always consult with your vet to determine your pet’s allergies. Failure to do this before giving them the nuts can result in an allergic reaction that will cause immense pain.

If you give your dog some almond butter without knowing if they are allergic to it or not, you must keep observing them. Signs of an allergic reaction to almond butter include:

• Swollen eyes and face
• Extensive drooling
• Breaking out in hives
• Rashes
• Panting
• Lethargy

Take your furry friend to the vet as soon as symptoms start to hasten their recovery. You should also keep the almond butter out of reach to prevent them from eating some more.

Salt Content

Some almond butter varieties use too much salt. High amounts of salt are dangerous to dogs as they can cause liver damage and sodium poisoning, which is painful and puts your pup’s life at risk.

The high salt content can also cause dehydration, especially in smaller amounts. Dehydration can lead to the shutdown of some cell functions, triggering unwanted conditions. It also makes dogs drink too much water too fast, leading to bloating.

You can prevent this by looking for almond butter varieties that don’t use any salt or have low salt content.

High in Fat

Fat content should always be kept at a minimum in your dog’s diet because too much fat can cause an upset stomach. Fat is also closely linked to canine obesity, which causes weight gain when ingested in large amounts.

How much Almond Butter Should Dogs Eat?

Pet owners want the best for their pets and do anything to make them happy. However, don’t let your desire to please your dog make you put their life at risk. We know how sweet almond butter is and how hard it can be to give it to your dog in small amounts, but you have to.

Giving your dog as much almond butter as they want will only make them happy now. In the long run, the harmful effects of the butter will accumulate, putting them in great pain. It is better to control how much almond butter your furry friend eats now and save them from suffering.

The ideal amount of almond butter for your dog is about a teaspoon a day. It isn’t much, but it can quench their cravings. Do not give them the butter daily; two or three times a week is enough.

What Other Nut Butters are Safe for Dogs?

Almond butter is just one of the many nut butter available. Sadly, there are only two other nut butter types that you can safely give to your furry friend. These are:

Peanut Butter

It is arguably the most superior nut butter and is a staple in almost all pantries. It is, therefore, encouraging to know that your beloved pet can also enjoy peanut butter. Because of its versatility, you can use peanut butter to make some doggie treats for your pup to enjoy.

However, as with almond butter, you must check the label to know the added ingredients. Some manufacturers use xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs.

Even better, you can make homemade peanut butter with dog-safe ingredients to avoid risking your pup’s life.

Cashew Butter

Although not as famous as peanut butter, cashew butter is another dog-friendly nut butter. It is excellent for them in small doses, much like almond butter. Don’t make this butter a mainstay in their diets; only give them once in a while. You should also check the ingredients to be on the safe side.

Related: Can Dogs Eat Cashews? What You Need to Know

Which Ones are The Most Dangerous?

Any other nut butter is not safe for dogs’ consumption. Dogs should not consume any of the following nuts and nut kinds of butter as they pose a danger to them and their health:

Macadamia Nut Butter

Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs, and so is their butter. It contains a toxic chemical that puts your pup at risk of developing neurological symptoms. Even the smallest lick of macadamia nut butter is enough to cause significant damage to your beloved pup. They might start feeling weakness in their back legs, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Pistachios

Dogs’ digestive systems cannot digest pistachios, so you should not let your dog near them. They put your pup in danger of developing gastrointestinal issues and can also cause intestinal blockage, preventing your pup from being able to get rid of them. Pistachios are also a choking hazard, especially for smaller dogs.

In severe cases, dogs who eat pistachios or their butter can develop pancreatitis, a very painful condition that might require medical intervention.

Pistachios also quickly develop mold, which is quite dangerous to dogs.

Pecans

Pecans contain a toxic compound, juglone, which can potentially harm your pup. These nuts are also prone to molding, leading to other problems.

Moreover, their high-fat content can hurt your pup’s belly.

Related: Can Dogs Eat Nuts? Learn Which Kinds are Dangerous

Final Thoughts

If your dog loves eating almond butter, we have good news for you; they can eat it! Of course, you have to be careful with the amount they eat as you don’t want to expose them to the dangers of almond butter. Give them only a spoonful once or twice a week to reward them. You can also make some treats with almond butter to make them more delicious.

Ensure your dog doesn’t have allergies or lack tolerance for almond butter before giving it to them.