Whether you question yourself, “Can Frenchies eat almonds?” or “What happens if I feed my dog a few almonds?”, here you will find your answer plus much more.
Read through for more.
Can Frenchies Eat Almonds? Can They Cause Health Issues?
No, Frenchies can’t eat almonds. Although not necessarily toxic, it’s best to avoid feeding them to your dog as they pose too many potential health risks.
Almonds are high in salt, fats, and phosphorus which can cause serious health issues. They can also cause gastrointestinal obstructions and pose a choking hazard as well.
What is Almond Poisoning?
Almonds, being nuts, harbor a specific type of mold referred to as Aspergillus mold. This mold makes food spoil. It produces a toxic substance called aflatoxin.
Ingestion of aflatoxin causes dog almond poisoning, symbolized by vomiting, lethargy, lack of appetite, jaundice, and liver failure.
Types of Almonds
These are the types of almonds:
- Bitter almonds: These contain hydrogen cyanide when untreated. Due to the risk of poisoning, they are not sold in the United States but are found in almond extract and liqueurs.
- Chinese almonds are not actual almonds but seeds of several apricot varieties. They, too, contain trace amounts of cyanide, which, in significant quantities, can be fatal.
Symptoms of Almond Poisoning in Frenchies
Almond poisoning in Frenchies can result from Frenchies eating a high amount of almonds which risks them getting pancreatitis or aflatoxin poisoning. The high salt and phosphorus content in almonds also causes it.
Dogs that have consumed almonds in significant quantities exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, dehydration, diarrhea, and greasy-looking stools.
On the other hand, vomiting, lack of appetite, jaundice, lethargy, and liver failure may indicate aflatoxin poisoning in Frenchies.
The signs of pancreatitis include:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Depression
- Weight loss
- Lack of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Distended abdomen
- Orange-colored urine
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
- Heart arrhythmias
- Vomiting
Causes of Almond Poisoning in Frenchies
Properly processed almonds aren’t poisonous by themselves. However, several factors make them harmful. These are:
- Fat content: Like most other nuts, Almonds contain high fats, which risks pancreatitis in Frenchies.
- Salt level: Almonds contain salt for seasoning. Too much of it may cause fluid retention and kidney problems. This is particularly fatal for Frenchies with heart issues.
- High phosphorus amounts: Almonds are overly rich in phosphorus which risks Frenchies developing kidney and bladder stones.
- Aflatoxin: This is caused by the Aspergillus mold that’s prevalent in most nuts. Frenchies are particularly very sensitive to aflatoxin.
Diagnosis of Almond Poisoning in Frenchies
If your dog shows symptoms of almond poisoning, your vet will need to get a complete history of it, especially the type of food it recently took.
Vets usually perform a general physical examination, detailed blood count, and chemistry profile.
An analysis of the urine, vomitus, and feces is undertaken to expose any underlying disorders or toxins, including aflatoxin.
Any need for more tests is dictated by the symptoms the dog shows. An X-ray or ultrasound may be necessary if the dog shows signs of esophageal damage and dehydration.
The Potential Dangers of Almonds for Frenchies
These are the likely dangers of almonds to Frenchies:
- Choking hazard: Unlike human beings, Frenchies don’t chew their food correctly. Swallowing whole almonds can cause potentially fatal obstruction in the windpipe, stomach, or esophagus, especially in toy and small dog breeds.
- Allergies: Some Frenchies are allergic to nuts, almonds included. As such, eating even a single almond to such Frenchies may result in severe allergic reactions, which affect their health. Watch out for symptoms like coughing, hives, sneezing, and difficulty breathing, which may point to allergies in Frenchies.
- Severe gastrointestinal upset: Almonds contain high amounts of fat, which can cause pancreatitis in Frenchies see studies(1). Lethargy, fever, difficulty breathing, lack of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting are symptoms of the disease. Left untreated, it can quickly become fatal to Frenchies.
- Potential water retention: Since almonds use lots of salt for seasoning, they pose the risk of increased water retention and aggravate kidney failure. This is especially dangerous for Frenchies with heart problems.
- Indigestion: The digestive systems of Frenchies cannot process the proteins in almonds properly. It causes severe indigestion and bowel obstruction. As such, you’ll likely find pieces of almonds in your dog’s stool, sometimes mixed with blood.
What should I do if my dog ate almonds?
Dogs of different sizes react differently to the same quantity of almonds taken. Small and toy-breed-like Frenchies may have more severe reactions than large-breed.
They will likely be fine if your dog has taken just a few almonds and shows no sign of obstruction or blockage, discomfort, vomiting, or bloating. As such, you can observe them at home for the development of any symptom.
If, on the other hand, your dog has consumed an entire bag of almonds, the most appropriate action is to induce vomiting if the ingestion occurred within the last 30 minutes. You can do this using hydrogen peroxide under the directions of a veterinarian.
In the event inducing vomiting proves impossible or you can’t pinpoint when consumption of the almonds happened, just monitor your dog for signs of illness. Immediately seek medical attention on the onset of illness or if your dog displays any signs of distress.
Are All Nuts And Nut Butter Bad For Frenchies?
Generally, all nuts are dangerous for Frenchies if consumed in large quantities. Frenchies should never eat nuts, macadamia, walnuts, or pecans.
However, some types of nuts present a mild risk to Frenchies. However, ensure moderate consumption. Although peanuts are not bad, feeding individual peanuts is not recommended for similar reasons as other nuts.
If made from organic, unsalted, or unseasoned nuts, butter is safe for Frenchies, but feeding in moderation is vital. Also, ensure the nut butter you feed your dog is free from xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can cause serious health problems for Frenchies.
Safe Nut Alternatives to Almonds For Frenchies
A few nut alternatives are safer and offer similar nutritional benefits to almonds. However, give these conservatively as they may still wreak havoc on your dog’s health in large amounts. These include;
Peanuts:
Plain, unseasoned, and shelled peanuts are safe for your pup. Peanuts are not nuts but legumes, just like lentils and peas. Do not feed your dog salted, candied, caramelized, or coated peanuts. However, these are high in fats; hence feed them in moderation.
Read more about this in the article Can Frenchies Eat Peanuts? Are They Safe?
Chestnuts:
Roasted chestnuts are harmless to your dog but should be given in limited amounts to avoid causing tummy upsets. Like all other treats, chestnuts should not exceed 10% of the daily caloric intake.
Peanut butter
It is a safe and healthy alternative if it’s free from artificial sweeteners such as xylitol, preservatives, or sodium. Xylitol is highly toxic and potentially fatal to Frenchies. Do not give too much, which could lead to obesity or gastrointestinal disturbance. Ensure you review the ingredient list to identify any harmful ingredients before feeding this to your dog.
We wrote an article about peanut butter in dog nutrition. Check it out here.
What nuts are bad for Frenchies?
Nuts such as macadamia, walnuts, hazelnuts, brazil, and pecans are bad, and Frenchies should never eat them. Some of these are highly toxic, while others pose a choking threat.
Can Frenchies eat almond butter?
Yes, Frenchies can eat almond butter in moderation. They eliminate the risk of intestinal obstruction or blockage. Additionally, it’s packed with dietary fiber and vitamin E, which enhances skin and coat health.
Can Frenchies eat almond flour?
Yes, they can. Almond flour is considered safe for Frenchies. However, you should ensure it’s pure and without any additives. Frenchies should consume It in small quantities to avoid causing stomach upset in Frenchies.
Can Frenchies eat almond cake?
Cakes contain sugar and milk, which are harmful to Frenchies. It’s, therefore, best to avoid feeding almond cake to Frenchies.
Can Frenchies eat almond milk?
Almond milk is not recommended for Frenchies as it cannot break down lactose in milk. As such, it may cause diarrhea and vomiting if taken in large amounts.
Can one almond kill a dog?
No. If a dog consumes a single almond, it’s unlikely to have any adverse effects. In limited amounts, almonds cannot harm a dog. The only significant risk posed may be choking.
The Bottom Line
So, are almonds safe for Frenchies?
The straight answer is no. Keep almonds away from your dog.
Although these nuts do not harm Frenchies in small amounts, their risks outweigh their benefits.
It’s therefore not worth feeding these to your dog and risking their health. Instead, opt for safer and healthy alternatives like peanut butter and roasted chestnuts, which offer the same nutritional benefits.
Well, there you have everything you need to know about feeding almonds to your Frenchies.