Can Dogs Have Almond Milk? What Every Pet Owner Should Know

Plant-based drinks can hide sweeteners and fats that upset your furry friend’s digestion.

By Shinta

Created on Aug 29, 2025

Plant-based drinks can hide sweeteners and fats that upset your furry friend’s digestion.

Can Dogs Have Almond Milk?

Almond milk, a popular plant-based milk alternative for humans, often raises questions for pet owners: Is almond milk safe for dogs, or could it cause harm? While almonds themselves are not toxic to dogs, the situation is more nuanced when it comes to almond milk, due to added ingredients and canine digestive sensitivities.

Is Almond Milk Safe for Dogs?

In moderation, unsweetened almond milk that does not contain dangerous additives like xylitol can be safe for most dogs as an occasional treat. However, regular inclusion of almond milk in your dog’s diet is not recommended because dogs do not possess the enzymes necessary to efficiently digest most nuts, and commercial almond milk may contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs.

Plain, unsweetened almond milk can be given as an occasional treat, in very small amounts.
Avoid almond milk that contains xylitol (an artificial sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs), added sugars, chocolate, vanilla, or other flavorings.
Most dogs do not need milk, including almond milk, in their regular diet.
Dogs with allergies or sensitivities to nuts or new foods should avoid almond milk altogether.

Why Almond Milk May Be Problematic for Dogs

Almond milk, while not inherently toxic, presents potential digestive risks due to:

High fat content: Almonds and almond milk are high in fats, which dogs can have difficulty digesting. This can lead to gastrointestinal upset, including diarrhea and vomiting.
Added ingredients: Most commercial almond milks contain added sugars, preservatives, flavorings (like vanilla), and sometimes xylitol. These are unsuitable for dogs and can cause serious health issues.

Nutritional Profile: Whatâs in Almond Milk?

Almond milk is low in protein and calories, contains healthy fats, and is often fortified with vitamins and minerals for human consumption. However, the actual almond content of commercial almond milk is usually very lowâsometimes as little as 2%âwith the rest being water, thickeners, and sweeteners.

Component	Potential Benefit for Humans	Impact on Dogs
Healthy fats	Supports heart health in humans	May cause digestive upset, pancreatitis, or obesity in dogs
Added vitamins (e.g., calcium, vitamin D)	Improves bone health	Generally unnecessary for dogs; excess can upset dietary balance
Sugars/flavorings/additives	Palatability for humans	Can be toxic (xylitol) or lead to health issues (obesity, diabetes)

Potential Health Risks of Almond Milk for Dogs

Offering almond milk to your dog may result in several negative side effects, particularly if it is flavored, sweetened, or contains artificial additives.

Digestive upset: The most common effect. Symptoms can include loose stools, diarrhea (sometimes oily or watery), vomiting, or abdominal pain.
Obesity and pancreatitis: The high fat content, even in small amounts, may increase the risk of obesity or pancreatitis, especially in small or sensitive dogs.
Toxicity risk: If the almond milk contains xylitol, chocolate, or certain flavors, the toxicity risk is severeâeven tiny amounts of xylitol can be life-threatening.
Long-term health problems: Added sugars can contribute to dental problems, diabetes, and metabolic disturbances.

What Happens If My Dog Drinks Almond Milk?

If your dog accidentally ingests a small amount of plain, unsweetened almond milk, monitor them closely. Most dogs will either tolerate it with no symptoms or experience mild digestive upset. However, if your dog consumes a larger quantity or ingests milk containing xylitol or other harmful additives, immediate veterinary attention is required.

How Much Almond Milk Can Dogs Have?

If youâre considering giving almond milk to your dog, it should be strictly limited to a few tablespoons at most, and only as an occasional treat. There is no established safe daily intake for dogs, and regular consumption is discouraged.

Small dogs: No more than 1â2 teaspoons, infrequently
Medium/large dogs: Up to a tablespoon, very occasionally
Never serve almond milk as a primary beverage or food source

Always introduce new foods gradually and watch for adverse reactions.

Signs Your Dog Is Reacting Badly to Almond Milk

Vomiting or diarrhea (especially watery or greasy stools)
Lethargy or signs of abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Sudden behavioral changes

If you notice any of these symptoms after your dog ingests almond milk, contact your veterinarian promptly.

Almond Milk Ingredients to Avoid

Xylitol: Extremely toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. Can cause low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, or death.
Chocolate flavoring: Chocolate is toxic for dogs.
Vanilla extract: Many vanilla products contain alcohol or other additives that are unsafe for dogs.
Added sugars and syrups: Increase the risk of dental disease and metabolic problems.

How to Choose Almond Milk for Dogs

Pick organic, unsweetened, xylitol-free almond milk without flavorings.
Consider making your own almond milk at home to control ingredients (unsweetened, no preservatives).
Always read the ingredient label carefully, even for brands marketed as ânatural.â

Can Almond Milk Help with Dog Constipation?

Some believe that almond milk could relieve constipation in dogs due to its magnesium content. While almonds do contain magnesium, which is involved in intestinal motility, almond milkâs extremely low almond content renders any effect negligible. Better approaches for canine constipation include:

Adding fiber-rich vegetables or psyllium husk to their diet
Ensuring regular hydration
Feeding whole, natural foods as advised by your vet

Do not use almond milk or any dairy alternative as a primary remedy for gastrointestinal issues in dogs.

Is There a Need For Milk Or Almond Milk In a Dogâs Diet?

Milk and plant-based alternatives, such as almond milk, are not a requirement in canine diets. Dogs derive their nutrients from species-appropriate foods (high-quality dog foods, meats, vegetables, some grains), with water being the best and only necessary beverage.

Most dogs are lactose intolerantâunable to process dairy after weaningâmaking cowâs milk and other mammal milks equally unsuitable in most cases. Almond milk offers no unique health advantage to dogs and carries risks due to additives and digestibility concerns.

Better Drink Alternatives For Dogs

If youâre looking for safe, healthy hydration or something special, consider these dog-friendly options instead:

Fresh water: Always the best and safest source of hydration for dogs.
Homemade broth: Unsalted, unseasoned bone broth can safely flavor water.
Dog-formulated milks: Commercially available milks made specifically for dogs, without harmful additives or sweeteners.
Vegetable juice: In small amounts, plain carrot or green bean juice can be a fun treat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is almond milk toxic to dogs?

A: Almond milk is not inherently toxic if it does not contain xylitol or harmful additives. However, it can cause digestive upset and should only be given in very small amounts, if at all.

Q: What do I do if my dog drinks almond milk made with xylitol?

A: This is a medical emergency. Contact your veterinarian or pet poison hotline immediately, as xylitol can be deadly even in low quantities.

Q: Is it okay to give almond milk to a puppy?

A: No. Puppies should only drink their motherâs milk or a vet-approved puppy milk replacer. Almond milk does not provide the nutrition growing puppies need and may make them sick.

Q: How often can my dog have almond milk?

A: Almond milk should not be a routine treat. If given, it should be unsweetened, xylitol-free, and limited to rare, tiny servings.

Q: What symptoms indicate a possible allergic reaction or food intolerance after my dog drinks almond milk?

A: Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, itchy skin, swelling, excessive scratching, or restlessness. If you observe these, seek veterinary help.

Q: Are there safe human milk alternatives for dogs?

A: Most plant-based milks (oat, rice, soy, coconut) can cause similar digestive issues, especially if sweetened or flavored. Always offer new foods in consultation with your vet.

Key Takeaways for Responsible Pet Owners

Plain, unsweetened almond milk (without xylitol) may be given extremely occasionally and in tiny amounts to adult dogs.
Always check for dangerous additives, especially xylitol and artificial sweeteners.
Watch for signs of tummy upset or allergic response after any new treat.
Dogs do not require almond milk or other non-water beverages in their diets.
When in doubt, water is always the best and safest choice.
If your dog consumes almond milk and shows signs of illness, contact a veterinarian.

Sources

FirstVet: “Is It OK to Give My Dog Plant-Based Milk?”
Vital Pet Life: “Can Dogs Have Almond Milk?”
Dogs Naturally Magazine: “Can Dogs Have Almond Milk?”
Applaws: “Can dogs drink oat, soy or almond milk?”
The Pet Lab Co.: “Milk for Dogs: Which Types Are Safe and Which to Avoid?”

References

Author

Shinta

Shinta is a biotechnologist turned writer. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. Shinta realised her love for content while working as an editor for a scientific journal.

Read full bio of Shinta