This article contains comments from a vegan canine nutritionist. Diana Laverdure-Dunetz, MS.
Dogs may occasionally taste your morning almond milk, as almonds are not toxic to dogs and can reduce inflammation. Look for unsweetened, unflavored varieties – a good choice has only water and almonds as ingredients.
In stores, avoid almond milk with artificial sweetener xylitolartificial flavors, thickeners and oils, which are not safe for dogsSays Vegan Canine Nutritionist Diana Laverdure-Dunetz, MS and author of The Plant-Fed Dog.
“To ensure the safety of their dogs’ almond milk, I highly recommend people make it themselves at home,” says Diana.
Can dogs drink almond milk? Yes, and here are the advantages
A variety of fortified almond milk usually includes added vitamins and minerals, including:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin D
- calcium
“Almonds are particularly rich in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce oxidative damage to cells,” says Diana. Oxidative damage creates inflammation that can lead to a host of chronic inflammatory diseases, including cancershe explains.
Vitamins A and E also help your dog’s skin and coat remain healthy and shiny.
Another benefit of almond milk is that it is lactose-free and is less likely to cause allergic reactions or digestive problems in dogs that cow milk or goat’s milk.
“Note that almond milk is not the best source of protein compared to other plant-based milks, like soy,” Diana adds.
So the next time you make treats for your dog, opt for almond milk instead of cow’s milk. If you buy treats at the dog bakery, ask for treats made with almond milk.
Is almond milk high in fat?
Depending on the almond to water ratio, almond milk can be high in fat. Creamier almond milk contains more almonds than water and will be higher in fat per serving. However, the fats in almond milk are monosaturated, the same healthy fats found in avocado and olive oils, says Diana.
“A good rule of thumb is that almond milk should be considered a treat, and treats should make up no more than 10 percent of a dog’s daily calories,” says Diana.
Avoid serving almond milk as a regular treat if your dog needs to lose weight. Foods high in fat are difficult for some dogs to digest and can lead to watery, oily diarrhea. In less common circumstances, eating too many high-fat foods leads to a serious condition called pancreatitiswhich can be fatal if not treated immediately.
You can safely share this small sip of unsweetened almond milk with your dog. And the next time you visit your local coffee shop, ask for whipped almond milk instead of cow’s milk for your dog’s treat!