This article has expert commentary from a vegan canine nutritionist Diana Laverdure-Dunetz, MS.
Dogs may have an occasional taste of your morning almond milk, as almonds are non-toxic to dogs and can reduce inflammation. Look for unsweetened, flavorless varieties – a good choice only has water and almonds as ingredients.
In stores, avoid almond milk with the artificial sweetener xylitol, artificial flavors, thickeners and oils, which are not safe for dogs, says vegan canine nutritionist Diana Laverdure-Dunetz, MS and author of The plant-powered dog.
“To ensure the safety of almond milk for their dogs, I strongly recommend people prepare it themselves at home,” Diana says.
Can dogs drink almond milk? Yes, and here are the advantages
A variety of fortified almond milk typically includes added vitamins and minerals, including:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin D
- calcium
“Almonds are particularly rich in vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce oxidative damage to cells,” Diana explains. Oxidative damage creates inflammation that can lead to a host of chronic inflammatory diseases, including cancer, she explains.
Vitamins A and E also help your dog’s skin and coat stay healthy and shiny.
Another benefit of almond milk is that it’s lactose-free and less likely to cause allergic reactions or digestive issues in dogs than cow’s or goat’s milk.
“Note that almond milk is not the best source of protein compared to other plant-based milks, such as 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 from the dog bakery, ask for almond milk treats.
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 fat in almond milk is monosaturated, the same healthy fats found in avocado and olive oils, Diana says.
“A good rule of thumb is that almond milk should be considered a treat, and treats should be 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 pancreatitis, which can be fatal if not treated immediately.
You can safely share that small sip of unsweetened almond milk with your dog. And the next time you visit your local cafe, ask for whipped almond milk instead of cow’s milk for your dog’s treat!
