Dog owners
struggle with feeding the best quality food and milk to their pups. But is
almond milk safe for dogs? So here's the tea! Yes, dogs can definitely consume
almond milk, which can be included in your dog's diet. It is safe and not toxic
to dogs. It's lactose-free! Here's a free tip just in case your dog is lactose
intolerant.
Moreover,
with age, the lactose enzymes in the dog's body reduce to fewer quantities.
This enzyme helps the young puppies break down milk, so adult dogs will face
difficulty doing so. Thus, almond milk is safe for your dog's health. Read on
as we explore can and how dogs drink almond milk and other dogs' diet
nitty-gritty, which you should know about!
Can dogs drink almond milk?
Yes, yes,
and thousand times yes! Dogs consuming almond milk is possible. But, not all
dogs would jump to the sight of almond milk or milk from other nuts, so you
need to take a 360-degree review before including it in their diet.
Over the
years, the concept that dogs drink almond milk has risen by leaps and bounds.
Almond milk has many benefits over cow or goat milk, for that matter. For
starters, almond milk has fewer calories, is completely lactose-free, has high
nutrient value, and is the perfect milk alternative. So, rest assured there are
health benefits for your dog in doing so!
A point to
remember here is that the quantity of almond milk will play a definitive role
in your dog's health. You should abide by feeding limited amounts of almond
milk to your dog only.
Almond
milk is generally produced from ground almonds along with water. Now, the catch
is that a majority of producers or manufacturers actually end up adding
artificial sugars, artificial sweeteners, and thickeners along with essential
vitamins to the end product.
Additionally,
keep some other factors in mind while you feed your pup almond milk. First of
all, almond milk can be harmful to your dog if they have certain allergies.
There could be some toxic ingredients or added sugar in the almond milk, which
might adversely affect your dog's health.
In such a
case, almond milk could have health risks. Thus, it is best to take veterinary
advice regarding allergies before including almond milk in your dog's diet.
Will almond milk hurt my dog?
Hurting or
being beneficial depends on a large number of factors; rest assured, almond
milk is good for your dog if taken in limited quantities. The point to remember
here is that your dog should drink almond milk which is plain or unsweetened
only.
Almonds
are nuts that are rich in oils and fats. Consumption in large quantities is
going to be harmful to most dogs. It can lead to a series of health risks such
as diarrhea, pancreatitis, and vomiting, which will be a nightmare for your dog
and, of course, you.
Moreover,
there is the added pressure of obese dogs in such high-fat food situations and
dietary habits. If you feed milk to your dog, you must increase their physical
activities by including games such as playing with a ball.
On the
other hand, taking up almond milk in small quantities is safe for your dog. It
has low calories and doesn't provide any saturated fat to the dog.
Additionally, almond milk brands will also add calcium, vitamin E, and vitamin
A to the product.
But be
careful. If your dog has the right amount of vitamins and minerals in their
regular food, you can most certainly avoid almond milk.
What is the nutritional value of one cup of almond milk?
One cup of
Almond Milk typically contains:
Calories:
39
Fats: 3
grams
Protein: 1
gram
Carbs: 5
grams
Fiber: 5
grams
Calcium:
24% of the Daily Value
Potassium:
4% of the Daily Value
Vitamin D:
18% of the Daily Value
Vitamin E:
110% of the Daily Value
What is the toxic ingredient in almond milk?
While
almond milk as a whole will not be harmful when taken in small quantities,
there is an alternate angle to it. The main added toxic ingredient in the
almond milk brands is Xylitol. Remember the name!
Xylitol is
simply one of the artificial sweeteners present in many food products. For
instance, non-dairy milk, like almond milk, has them, and so does peanut butter.
All in all, it finds a variety of applications but can be very dreaded for your
dog.
Xylitol in
almond milk increases insulin production in the dog's body. Because of this
event, the dog can experience liver failure and, after that, hypoglycemia.
As a
matter of fact, try to be wary of this ingredient while purchasing any product
for your dogs and not just almond milk. The simplest way is to turn the bottle
or find the packaging with all the details. If you see, Xylitol, you should not
let your dog drink almond milk at all costs!
Should you feed unsweetened almond milk to your dog?
When we
say that almond milk is safe for your dog consumption, we refer to the
unsweetened almond milk or plain variety. As a pet owner, you should be aware
of the difference. As an occasional treat, you can feed unsweetened almond milk
to your dog.
These
unsweetened almond milk treats should not be greater than 10% of their diet
daily. Moreover, it is crucial that if you give your dog almond milk for the
first time, it should be in limited quantities. You can increase it minimally
over time.
There is a
high chance that your dog might not like the taste of the unsweetened almond
milk or might even experience intolerance if you do not go for unflavored and
unsweetened varieties of almond milk.
Can your dog consume vanilla almond milk?
Almond
milk is available in many flavors in the market. While vanilla almond milk is a
big-time winner for humans, this might not be safe for dogs.
So for
starters, vanilla almond milk is produced by manufacturers by adding vanilla
extract to the product in a bid to sweeten it. Now, the scary part is that
vanilla flavoring and the extract, whichever the manufacturer uses, will
contain high alcohol content.
Yes, you
heard us right! And if you are a well-read dog owner, you should know that dogs
cannot consume alcohol. It is toxic for them, so vanilla almond milk should be
as far as possible from your dog.
A
minuscule amount of vanilla milk might not be completely fatal to your dog,
mainly because the vanilla extract added is less as well. But it may still
cause tummy issues, and rest assured, these problems don't sit well with dogs.
Your dog
may experience diarrhea, vomiting, or gassy post-consumption of vanilla almond
milk. The dog's immune system might take a hit as well.
What to do if your dog drinks sweetened almond milk?
Firstly,
we hope this situation doesn't happen to you or your dog. But keeping
unprecedented events in mind, you should most definitely be prepared for the
worst, that is, if your dog consumes almond milk which is sweetened. If the
quantity of this almond milk consumed by your dog is high, you must act very
fast!
First up,
ring up your regular veterinarian. If you can't connect with him, call the
emergency veterinarian. Let them know the specific toxic ingredients ingested
by your dog. You should also inform them regarding the amount of sweetened
almond milk consumed.
In some
cases, you may be informed that the problem isn't as serious as it seems. They
might recommend you keep an eye on your dog for a while in case of any further
symptoms. If no symptoms, would be reported, your dog is simply good to go.
On the
contrary, if the situation is serious, you may have to rush to the emergency
vet for immediate and rapid help. Moreover, you must be very careful of the
instructions and advice you receive if they drink sweetened almond milk. Only
and only listen to your veterinarian, because no one else would suggest better!
Following are the main signs and symptoms
if your dog is suffering from Xylitol poisoning:
1. Vomiting
2. lethargy
3. Stumbling
and disorientation
4. Seizures
5. Collapses
6. Diarrhea
Additionally,
your dog might be stressed as well. If you see any of these signs, inform your
veterinarian at the earliest to prevent further issues.
Do puppies
drink Almond Milk?
Here comes
a harsh warning! Do not even try to feed your puppies almond milk. A young dog
or puppy is raised with their mother's milk. You can even try some soft foods
to wean them.
If, in any
case, you feel that your puppy isn't receiving the best of a balanced diet, go
ahead and try a puppy formula. These formulas can be specially curated for the
dog if the mother's milk doesn't provide all the essential nutrients in her
milk. Additionally, a visit to the veterinarian will also clear many doubts, so
we absolutely suggest that!
Most
experts will advise you to provide them with milk replacements. These
replacements must be rich in amino acids, calcium, and fatty acids. If you want
your puppy to have regular, healthy development and growth, these are a must.
What kind of milk can dog drink?
In the
true-blue sense, dogs are carnivores and shouldn't consume any liquid apart
from water. Although, some dogs may develop a taste for milk and can be
rewarded occasionally with goat's milk or cow's milk once in a while. Soy milk
works too!
Oat milk
is a great alternative as well. Unlike Skittles, it can be treated as a
low-sugar snack for your dog. Dog's intake can include oats as a good source of
carbohydrates. More so if your dog is allergic to wheat or grains.
On top of
this, oatmeal has large quantities of vitamin B, which contributes to a healthy
dog's fur. It also provides linoleic acid, a kind of omega-6 fatty acid used to
keep the dog skin healthy and strong.
If not
milk, what else can you feed your dog?
While milk
may be a risky zone for your dog at times, a wide range of juices and extracts
could be a great fit for your dog's health. You can start with vegetables such
as beetroot, carrot, celery, and spinach; these are healthy snacks for your
dog.
All these
vegetable extracts are the ones that most dogs love. While your dog will be
happy and safe, you will also supply them with the right set of ingredients.
These juices have a ton of minerals, vitamins, and essential nutrients.
You can
also feed them coconut water, chicken or beef broth, fruit juices, kefir, and,
as we discussed, nut milks such as oats and almonds. Also, as you explore a
variety of drinks for your dog, do not forget that water still holds the top
position in the list of most essential liquids to be provided.
A
dehydrated dog equates to a world of problems, and believe us, as a dog owner,
you don't want that for yourself.
Conclusion
All in
all, almond milk is safe for your dog if kept within limits. If you love dogs,
it is also essential that you pay attention to the type of almond milk you feed
them! You wouldn't want your dog running away because they don't like the food
you serve! Would you?
It should
be unsweetened almond milk, should not contain a vanilla extract or ingredients
like the harmful, Xylitol. If your dog is a picky eater, try with a small
amount and check if your dog likes it or not. If it is a yes, then you know the
next best snack that is safe for dogs is decided!
