Can Dogs Eat Almond Butter or Not? What Science Says

Almond butter is tasty on toast, baked potatoes, and a whole array of meats and veggies plus it’s a great alternative to dairy for vegans and lactose-intolerant folk. Almond butter has increased in popularity due to a rise in plant-based diets over the past few years, but can dogs eat almond butter or not? They’d love to persuade you with those begging eyes, so let’s take a look at what science says.

Is Almond Butter Safe for My Dog to Eat?

Yes, almond butter is safe for dogs in small amounts and it can be a tasty treat.

The problems occur when dogs eat lots of almond butter or the mixture contains other ingredients that are toxic to dogs like xylitol, salt, or macadamia nuts.

If you want to treat your pooch to a teaspoon of almond butter now and then, check the label to make sure it’s dog safe.

What Is Almond Butter?

Almond butter is made by grinding almonds into a paste. It can be made chunky or smooth depending on long the grinding lasts. Extra ingredients like oil, salt, vanilla, or xylitol are commonly added for more taste because almonds are one of the weakest-tasting nuts.  

If the label says it’s raw almond butter, it’s referring to the almonds before they were ground up. The most common almond butter uses pre-toasted almonds to release more flavor. Raw almond butter simply means the almonds weren’t toasted beforehand.

Almond butter is a good alternative to peanut butter because it’s lower in fat and contains more fiber, although it is still a calorific food.

And almonds? They’re tree nuts from the almond tree Prunus dulcis.

Can Dogs Eat Almonds?

The American Kennel Club says almonds are not suitable for dogs because they can’t digest them as easily as humans can.

Whilst they aren’t toxic, they are hard to digest, fatty, and a choking hazard. Don’t panic if your dog eats an almond as it is unlikely to do harm, but ensure almonds are kept out of reach.

What About Plain Butter or Peanut Butter?

Plain salt and xylitol-free butter or peanut butter are fine for your dog to eat in small amounts. Like almond butter, regular or large amounts are not advised, but small amounts are fine.

Dogs universally love butter and they are a great way to add interest to a chew toy like a Kong. Smear a small amount of butter inside a Kong and your dog will be occupied for hours. This is especially helpful for dogs with separation anxiety or destructive behavior.

Did you know that peanuts are not nuts like almonds? They are legumes that are grown in the soil despite the “nut” part of their name. That means peanuts are in the same family as soybeans and lima beans.

What Are the Dangers of Almond Butter?

Small amounts of almond butter are tasty and won’t hurt, but in large amounts, or regular small amounts, it can cause problems.

Some Dogs Can’t Tolerate Nuts

While true nut allergies are rare in dogs, they do exist. Monitor your dog carefully after it’s eaten nuts of any kind to make sure they are not struggling. Nuts are quite difficult for doggy stomachs to process because they have a different digestive system to us that can’t blast through starch or fat as quickly.  Be careful when you’re offering nut butter for the first time as it could lead to an upset stomach, itchy skin, or vomiting.

Lots of Fat

All nuts are high in fat and whilst they are great snacks for humans in moderation, they can quickly pile the pounds on a dog. Obesity is a problem for dogs in the States. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention indicates 56% of pet dogs are obese, and this leads to joint problems, diabetes, and a shorter life.

High-fat foods can also lead to pancreatitis which is when the pancreas tries to digest itself. It’s painful and distressing and something you definitely want to avoid giving your dog through high-fat foods.

Other Toxic Ingredients

Plain almond butter is safe for dogs, but many store-bought versions have extra ingredients and this can cause a big problem. Xylitol is one such ingredient in almond butter that can be fatal to dogs because it causes hypoglycemia within an hour.

Other dangerous ingredients are macadamia nuts and salt. More on those later.

Health Benefits of Almond Butter

In small doses, almond butter has some health benefits for dogs

• Vitamin E – This vitamin is well known for its skin and hair-enhancing properties and it’s the same in dogs!
• Fiber – nuts are fibrous and help maintain a healthy bowel with regular stools. Constipation in dogs is distressing for them and can end up with a costly vet visit.
• Fatty acids – contribute to a healthy heart and protect against cardiovascular disease

What About Flavored or Low Fat Almond Butter?

These types of almond butter pose a problem too.

Flavored almond butter may contain unsuitable flavorings and low-fat almond butter is likely to have xylitol or high-sugar honey as an ingredient.

How Often Can I Give My Dog Almond Butter?

Because of its high-fat content dogs shouldn’t have regular amounts of almond butter, and certainly not daily.

What’s suitable depends on your dog’s health. If they are fit and active then they can eat more than sedentary dogs. The ASPCA recommends treat foods make up no more than 10% of a dog’s diet. The rest should be a high-quality well-balanced dog food with the correct amount of vitamins and minerals canines need.

Some experts suggest large dogs can eat a tablespoon of almond butter, but small dogs only a teaspoon.

How To Make Your Own Dog-Friendly Almond Butter

Pop unsalted almonds into a high-powered food processor and process! The oil in the almonds helps turn them into a creamy consistency, but it takes a while. They will chop up chunky first, then powdery, then into the soft moist consistency you need. If it’s too grainy add a teaspoon of olive oil.

If almond butter is for humans you could add a touch of salt, cinnamon, or vanilla for flavor, but if it’s for your dogs, add nothing else.

Freeze it in an ice cube tray or it’ll last for three to four days in the fridge.

Can Cats Eat Almond Butter?

Yes, but the same rules apply. Almond butter is not toxic to cats, but a small amount as a treat now and then is the best way to offer it.

My Dog Has Eaten Almond Butter What Can I Do?

Don’t panic. Plain almond butter is unlikely to do your dog any harm unless it’s allergic or intolerant. Depending on how much they ate, it may cause diarrhea. Monitor your dog for a few days afterward and offer plain food such as turkey and rice if an upset occurs.

If the almond butter contains xylitol (check the label) or other dog-toxic ingredients, speak to a vet immediately.

What Food Is Poisonous To Dogs?

Whilst almond butter isn’t toxic to dogs, there are foods they should never eat. We’ve already discussed xylitol, the artificial sweetener that causes hyperglycemia and can be fatal, but here are some others.

Garlic and Onion

All members of the allium family including garlic, onions, leeks, and shallots are dog toxic because they can’t digest the compounds. These compounds stick to red blood cells and cause anemia.

Chocolate

Caffeine and theobromine are stimulants that can cause organ failure, plus chocs may contain xylitol.

Macadamia nuts

These nuts include compounds that dogs can’t digest. This can lead to organ failure within a few hours. A tell-tale sign is weak back legs.

Black walnuts

Black walnuts are indigestible and they often contain a certain type of mold called tremorgenic mycotoxin that’s toxic to dogs.

Grapes

Grapes, wine, and raisins are all toxic to dogs even though they are sweet and look harmless. Experts don’t know exactly why grapes are so toxic to dogs, but they can lead to collapse and death.

If your pooch ate any of these foods, or you suspect it, call a vet straight away.

Dogs Can Eat Almond Butter?

In conclusion, dogs can eat almond butter and they enjoy it but there are a few caveats. The almond butter must be totally plain and you should only feed small amounts now and then.

Up Next…

• Why Can’t Dogs Eat Almonds? What Are The Unsafe Toxins?
• Can Dogs Be Vegan? What Are The Risks?
• Can Dogs Eat Cat Food? Should They?

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Anna Hoychuk/Shutterstock.com