Can Dogs Drink Almond Milk

Can Dogs Drink Almond Milk

For a low-fat, low-sodium, and cholesterol-free diet, we often include almond milk in our meals. We would like to offer its benefits to our dogs. But can dogs have almond milk? Well, this question can be for those who know dogs can’t have cow’s milk.

The good news is dogs can have almond milk since it has no lactose. Besides, it offers many health benefits, like promoting joint health, bone health, skin health, etc. For best results, always feed moderate amounts of almond milk to dogs.

There are some safety concerns that we must follow before letting our canine friend drink this plant-based milk. So stay tuned.

Can Dogs Drink Almond Milk?

Like us, dogs can enjoy the nutritional benefits of almond milk. Thanks to its loaded vitamins, minerals, fibre, and zero toxins. However, you can expect good results from feeding this milk to your dog if you choose the right almond milk.

Can Dogs Drink Almond Milk

Generally, we buy almond milk for ourselves that has artificial sweeteners or sugar. Unfortunately, dogs can’t have such almond milk. Besides, the usual almond milk contains additives and preservatives which are again harmful for dogs. It means dogs can have plain unflavored almond milk. This drink should be an occasional treat for them as it is not dog food.

Benefits Of Having Almond Milk For Dogs

Almond milk can offer several health benefits to dogs if taken in the right amounts and the right product. For instance, almond milk has good amounts of vitamin B2, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, protein, and fibre.

Vitamin B2 will help to maintain your dog’s digestive system, hormonal production, and nervous system, and keep the muscles, eyes, brain, and liver healthy. This nutrient is also great for metabolising proteins and fats. Besides, its antioxidant properties will protect your dog from oxidative stress and cognitive diseases.

The vitamin E present in almond milk can lower the risk of cancer, heart disease, cataracts, eczema, and so on. This nutrient is also rich in antioxidants that will keep free radicals at bay. Hence, your dog can escape the dangers of ageing and inflammation. These antioxidants have a great role in keeping the skin and coat healthy as well.

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For dogs’ bone health, almond milk would be a superb substitute. A 100 ml almond milk has 120 mg of calcium. This can promote your dog’s skeletal growth.

Since this milk comes from almonds, you won’t have to worry about the saturated fats. Luckily, almond milk contains unsaturated fats that keep the heart healthy by lowering cholesterol.

One bonus benefit that almond milk has is its fibre content including prebiotics. This can promote healthy bacteria in dogs’ gut along with a good digestive system.

The major benefit that almond milk offers is its lower amounts of lactase. Usually, dogs have to avoid cow’s milk as they are lactose-intolerant. That’s why most dog owners opt for plant-based milk, like almond milk for dogs. They can have this milk comfortably.

Risks Of Having Almond Milk For Dogs

One of the common reasons why dogs go through some side effects from drinking almond milk is when they drink it too much. For example, almond milk has fine amounts of fibre. If a dog drinks too much almond milk, he is indirectly consuming too much fibre. As a result, he can have abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weakness, vomit, drool, etc.

We know almond milk has some unsaturated fats and fibre. Taking too much of these fats will increase dogs’ weight and too much fibre will upset the stomach.

Can Dogs Drink Almond Milk

Another reason why almond milk can pose health threats to dogs is that they include unsafe ingredients. Many brands add xylitol, sweeteners, carrageenan, and other preservatives to this milk.

Xylitol is a birch sugar, known as an artificial sweetener present in unsweetened almond milk. Consuming this toxic ingredient can result in hypoglycemia in dogs. Its symptoms are vomiting, weakness, seizures, lethargy, and pale gums. If the condition of the dog gets worse, he can have xylitol poisoning. This poisoning shows up within 60 minutes of consumption, especially when taken in high amounts.

Carrageenan is an additive that comes from seaweed. Some dogs had to go through cancers, ulcers, and inflammation due to this additive. Whereas some dogs could escape the side effects of this additive.

If you are opting for sweetened almond milk to avoid xylitol, that can be harmful to dogs. The sugar or vanilla present in such almond milk can be the reason for dogs’ weight gain, obesity, and even diabetes.

How To Choose Almond Milk For Dogs?

To make your dog get the best out of almond milk, choose the right one for him. As said earlier, artificial sweeteners, additives, sugar, preservatives, and some particular ingredients can be harmful to dogs. Hence, check out the ingredient list before buying. Avoid those almond milk that has xylitol, carrageenan, sugar, and glyphosate.

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If needed, you can make almond milk milk for your paw friend in the safest way. Soak one cup of almonds in a bowl of water for a couple of days. Then strain water from the soaked almonds and blend them to form a paste. Before that, add two cups of water with the almonds. Then take a piece of cheesecloth, put the almond paste on it, and keep a bowl underneath the cloth. Afterwards, cover the paste with the cloth, and squeeze it to bring out the milk from the paste in the bowl. Don’t add any sweeteners or sugar, keep it organic.

When Can Dogs Have Almond Milk?

We know almond milk comes from almonds, which are tree nuts. Dogs who are allergic to nuts, can’t withstand almond milk. Not only nuts, but some dogs are allergic to all plant-based foods. In that case, also, almond milk is not for them.

Even if you think your dog has no allergies and is safe to drink this milk, you can’t offer it to him directly. Ask your vet first if you can introduce this drink to him. Sometimes the old health records of dogs make them unable to take certain foods and drinks.

Frequently Asked Questions: Can Dogs Drink Almond Milk?

How much almond milk can dogs have?

Dogs that are small breeds can have ¼ cup of almond milk. Medium breeds can have ½ cup of almond milk. Lastly, large breeds can have up to 1 cup of almond milk.

Can dogs drink almond milk every day?

Dogs cannot drink almond milk every day as it is not dog food. Hopefully, you will give small amounts of human food to your dog daily. In that case, almond milk should be an occasional treat for them.

What type of milk is safe for dogs?

Milk that has no lactose is safe for dogs. This includes almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, and oat milk. They all are good sources of vitamins, minerals, and fibre.

Is almond milk good for dogs?

Almond milk comes after processing almonds. This takes out many essential nutrients that whole almonds could give. However, almond milk can still be good for dogs as it has vitamin B2, vitamin D, vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, and fibre.

Final Verdict

After learning about some potential side effects of almond milk, we may wonder, Can dogs have almond milk? The answer is. Dogs can drink almond milk in moderate quantities if it has no sweetener, xylitol, carrageenan, or preservatives.

Don’t let your canine friend drink a moderate amount of this milk at first. Before, we must introduce him to it by offering one teaspoon. If he seems fine, you can let him drink another teaspoon of almond milk.

If he ever ingests too much almond milk, don’t wait for his symptoms to get worse. Just call his vet immediately.