Can Dogs Eat Almond Butter? | Is Almond Butter Okay for Dogs?
According to multiple polls, almonds are considered to be American’s favorite type of nut. Not only are they popular amongst the masses, they’re healthy too! Almonds have been shown to slow absorption of carbohydrates and sugars. While it may not be quite as common as peanut butter, almond butter has become increasingly popular. You may already share peanut butter with your pup, but what about almond butter? Can dogs eat almond butter? Let’s find out!
Can Dogs Eat Almond Butter? (The Short Answer)
Yes, in moderation, dogs can eat almond butter. There are great benefits to almond butter including an ample amount of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals! It should only be given in small quantities to avoid any adverse effects. If given too much, it may cause gastrointestinal issues in your dog such as obstructions or the development or worsening or pancreatitis. Before giving your dog almond butter, check the nutrition label to ensure there is no xylitol in it. Xylitol is a common ingredient in nut butters, but it is highly toxic to dogs.
It’s important to remember, that even with the best of intentions, accidents happen and dogs can easily eat things they shouldn’t. Unfortunately, even if those accidents aren’t fatal, they can result in huge, unexpected veterinary expenses. That’s why we recommend all responsible dog owners get a free, online pet insurance quote from Healthy Paws.
Is Almond Butter Okay For Dogs?
We’ve already answered the question, “can dogs eat almond butter?” Now, let’s learn about the benefits of feeding your dog this food! Is almond butter okay for dogs?
Yes, in fact, you can even consider it healthy! Almond butter can be a healthy snack as long as it’s served in moderation. I’ll say it again—in moderation. We all know not to give our pups a huge portion of any human food, but be especially careful with this one. Even in small quantities, your pup can still receive some of the benefits of almond butter!
Almond butter is known for being high in protein, like most nuts are. It contains 3.4 grams of protein in just one tablespoon! Protein is important for healthy hair, healthy skin, muscle development, and tissue repair!
Most consider almond butter healthier than peanut butter because almond butter contains more vitamins, minerals, and fiber! In one tablespoon of almond butter, there are around 1.6 grams of fiber! Some of the vitamins and minerals included in almond butter are vitamin E, calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium. Here is some information on why these ingredients are important for your pup!
Vitamin E: Important for developing strong and healthy muscles as well as preserving a healthy heart and immune system. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant which helps destroy free radicals.
Calcium: Good for keeping the nails, coat, teeth, and bones healthy.
Iron: Important for oxygen transport.
Magnesium: Partially responsible for hormone function and maintaining electrical balance across membranes. It also maintains calcium movement into the muscles.
Potassium: Helps control nerve impulses, muscle activity, brain function and heart function.
Is Almond Butter Bad for Dogs?
We’ve already answered the question, “can dogs eat almond butter?” Now, let’s learn about the dangers of feeding your dog this food! Is almond butter bad for dogs?
Almond butter is not inherently bad for dogs, but too much can cause problems. It’s really important to only allow your dog to have small amounts at a time. Almonds and almond butter can be hard for dogs to digest, so feeding them larger quantities risks them having some gastrointestinal issues such as an obstruction.
Nuts are usually considered a healthy snack, but the high fat content is often overlooked. In one serving of almonds, about one ounce, there are 14 grams of fat. High amounts of fat are not healthy for dogs, and should be limited to reduce the risk of your pup developing pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is caused by diets that are high in fat. A potentially dangerous and painful disease, it’s best to be extra cautious and only give small amounts.
You also must also be extremely cautious of the ingredient “xylitol.” Look at the ingredient list carefully, as xylitol has been found in many brands of peanut butter and other nut butters. This ingredient is toxic to dogs. Even small amounts of the substance can cause hypoglycemia, seizures, liver failure, or even death. This is a negative that is rather easy to avoid—simply check the ingredient label before feeding it to your pup. Most, if not all, organic nut butters do not contain xylitol.
Alternative Options
Looking for other safe and delicious food ideas for your pup? Try one of these:
Remember, just because almond butter is safe for your dog doesn’t mean that regular, dairy butter is! For more, see our article: Can Dogs Eat Butter?
Other Varieties & Related Foods:
Now that we’ve answered the question, “can dogs eat almond butter?” let’s learn about these other related products!
Can Dogs Eat Cashew Butter?
Yes, dogs can eat cashew butter! The nuts that are toxic to dogs include walnuts and macadamia nuts, but cashews are safe! Just like with almond butter, it’s important to keep this in small quantities to avoid any gastrointestinal upset. Also, be sure to ensure “xylitol” is not contained in the ingredient list.
Can Dogs Have Peanut Butter?
Yes, dogs can eat peanut butter! Peanut butter is a fan-favorite in this household! The important thing to remember is to check to see if the peanut butter contains xylitol before serving to your pup. Xylitol can be in some brands of peanut butter and is toxic to dogs causing hypoglycemia, coma, or even death.
Yes, dogs can eat sunflower butter! Sunflower butter is also packed full of vitamins and minerals! Similarly to nut butters, this should only be given in moderation and only if xylitol is not one of the ingredients.
Can Dogs Eat Nutella?
No, dogs absolutely can not have Nutella. For starters, Nutella contains cocoa, butter, lactose, and added sugars which are all unhealthy, or even toxic, for dogs. If that’s not bad enough, Nutella is loaded with saturated fats and in one serving there are around 200 calories!
Can Dogs Eat Almonds?
Yes, dogs may be allowed to eat a couple of almonds depending on the size of the dog. However, some precaution should be taken. While almonds are not toxic to dogs, dogs chew their food differently than humans do and sometimes don’t really chew much at all. Needless to say, this can lead to choking or an intestinal obstruction. Additionally, almonds are one of the foods that is more difficult for dogs to digest. If more than a couple are eaten by your dog, observe them for signs of intestinal obstruction or distress and contact a veterinarian promptly.
Can Dogs Eat Almond Flour?
Yes, dogs can eat almond flour! It could be a great ingredient for baking dog biscuits, among other treats! Just like with almond butter, too much can be difficult for dogs to digest so it shouldn’t be given often.
In Conclusion: Can Dogs Eat Almond Butter?
Yes, in moderation, dogs can have almond butter! On occasion, almond butter can be a fun new treat for your dog to enjoy. Of course, too much almond butter or being fed almond butter too often can lead to intestinal distress, as this food is not easily digestible by dogs. Most importantly, remember to check the almond butter for the ingredient “xylitol,” and to not feed it to your pup if it does contains this dangerous ingredient.
Disclaimer: We are not veterinarians and this article should not be taken as medical or veterinary advice. If you have any questions about your pet’s health or dietary needs, please contact your local veterinarian.
