Like some people, many dogs don’t digest dairy products very well. The good news is, there are many alternatives to cow’s milk, if you want to give your dog a milky drink. One of those is almond milk. But can dogs have almond milk? Let’s take a look…
Why Cow’s Milk Isn’t Good For Dogs
Dogs normally like the taste of dairy milk, but it’s not always great idea to make it a part of your dog’s diet. Dogs don’t have the lactase enzyme to digest lactose in milk, this means many dogs are lactose intolerant which means they can’t digest milk or other dairy products well. Conventional dairy milk is also high in fat and sugar and may contain pesticides and antibiotics.
So lets look at a plant-based milk like almond milk for dogs…
Health Benefits of Almond Milk for Dogs
From a nutritional point of view, almonds have many great qualities. Almonds are good for:
Skin
Almonds contain essential nutrients such as vitamin E, which along with antioxidants that help control free radicals which lead to inflammation and aging. This means Almond milk is great for the health of your dog’s skin and coat.
Heart Health
Almonds are rich in good fats (unsaturated fat) and low in saturated fat. Many studies in people have demonstrated that almonds are a heart-healthy snack that can contribute to improved cholesterol and lower heart disease risk.
Brain Function
Almonds contain vitamin B2 (riboflavin), which helps metabolise fats and proteins, and is thought to help support brain health. The antioxidant content also reduces oxidative stress in your dogs cells, which helps prevent cognitive decline.
Digestive Health
Almonds are rich in fiber, which includes prebiotics in the skin of the almonds which promotes the growth of good bacteria and maintains a healthy flora in the gut.
While almond milk may not have all the nutritional perks of whole almonds, it is still a great healthy milk alternative, and a good option for lactose intolerant dogs.
Sounds perfect, right? But before you go out to buy almond milk for your dog, here are some potential risks of giving your dog almond milk…
Risks of Almond Milk for Dogs
Almonds go through some processing to become almond milk. Processing of natural foods can take away some of the nutritional value as well as adding preservatives and flavoring agents to the improve taste and shelf life. There are many commercial almond milk varieties, and all contain some additives. Some of these additives are dangerous for dogs, so you have to read the ingredient list carefully before you purcahse any almond milk product for your dog.
Sweeteners
Many almond milks are sweetened with sugar. Your dog doesn’t need sugar and it’s best avoided, so only buy unsweetened almond milk. You should also avoid vanilla almond milk, which may contain extra sugar and other additives.
But when it comes to sweeteners, there’s a much more dangerous one to look out for…
Xylitol
Some brands of almond milk contain an artificial sweetener called xylitol. Never give your dog any food that contains xylitol. Xylitol is toxic to dogs because it causes extremely low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). It can even lead to liver damage or failure, if your dog gets a lot of it (more than 500 mg per kg). Even a small amount of xylitol can be dangerous or even deadly for your dog, so make sure any almond milk you buy doesn’t contain it.
Some symptoms to look out for in case your dog got access to almond milk with xylitol are:
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Loss of coordination
- Weakness and lethargy
If you think your dog’s eaten something with xylitol in it (candy or gum are common culprits), get themto the emergency vet immediately,
Carageenan
Another potentially harmful additive to almond milk is carrageenan, which is derived from seaweed. It’s used to thicken the milk. There has been debate around its safety for humans and animals, with some studies associating it with intestinal inflammation, ulcers, and cancer.
So, be sure to choose an almond milk that doesn’t contain carrageenan as an ingredient.
How To Choose Almond Milk For Your Dog
It’s okay to give your dog occasional almond milk. But be careful what you buy.
It’s best to choose unsweetened organic brands so you avoid almonds grown with toxins like glypohsate. And make sure you only give your dog almond milk that’s free of dangerous additives. Ideally, make it yourself so you know what’s in it.
The actual almond content of some commercial almond milks is questionable, so be sure you choose a product that contains the benefits of almond that you are looking for.
Please remember to only give almond milk to your dog in small amounts, because it can be indigestible and it is high in calories, so only give in moderation.