How To Safely Feed Apples To Your Dog (2024)

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For humans, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But, what about dogs? Thankfully, your canine companion can enjoy these sweet, crispy treats in moderation. Most dogs love them!

Are Apples Good for Dogs?

Yes, apples can be good for dogs. Apples are a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and antioxidants. They’re chock full of fiber, especially in the peels, which helps dogs maintain a healthy weight while assisting with their digestion.

Apples are a low-calorie treat. But since each apple has about 19 grams of sugar, a whole apple will likely be too much for your dog. Even so, apples are a great way to satisfy your dog’s sweet tooth (unlike some human foods, includingchocolate, which can harm your dog).

How To Safely Feed Apples To Your Dog (1)

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The act of chewing an apple can also help clean your dog’s teeth, but apple peels may get stuck between their teeth. Eating apples shouldn’t substitute for regular dental carelike daily brushings and regular veterinary dental cleanings.

How Many Apples Can Dogs Eat?

Your canine companion may love crunching on apples, but don’t let them have too much. Eating an excess of apples can lead to your dog experiencing bellyache or diarrhea, so always serve them in moderation. Just an apple slice or two is enough to satisfy your dog’s cravings.

Puppies can also eat apples. If you haven’t given them apples before, start with a small amount, like a slice or small cube. Watch them to make sure they don’t have an allergic reaction. See if they experience any digestive problems. If your dog has problems, refrain from feeding them apples and contact a veterinarian as needed.

How to Safely Prepare Apples for Dogs

Begin by washing and scrubbing your apples to remove any bacteria and germs. Some supermarket apples, like many other fruits and vegetables, are treated with pesticides, which makes rinsing them off especially important. Cut apples into slices or small cubes so that your dog can easily eat them. Peeling the apple will make it easier for your dog to digest.

Keep the seeds far, far away from your dog. The seeds contain a small amount of cyanide, a toxin, which can harm your dog in large doses. The tough apple core, and the stem, could also choke your dog. If your dog eats an apple core or seeds, you need to watch them for any signs of digestive trouble or blockage, like choking.

How To Safely Feed Apples To Your Dog (2)

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The simplest way to prepare roasted apple chips for dogs is to bake thinly sliced (and cored) apple slices at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours until completely crispy. Try making apple pretzels for dogs. Or you can bake dog-friendly apple peanut butter cookies. Combine four cups of ground oat flour, 2/3 of a cup of unsweetened applesauce, a half cup of peanut butter, and two eggs. Cut out cookies and bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can also opt for dog treats that contain apples as an ingredient. To give your pet a taste of fall flavors, try pumpkin, chicken, and apple treats or treats with apples, cheese, and cinnamon.

And remember, just because dogs love apples doesn’t mean that they can eat apple pie. The added sugar and golden crust that humans enjoy are too much for dogs, though they will survive sneaking a bite (or a slice). However, if your dog eats an apple pie that includes nutmeg, which includes a toxin called myristicin, they may experience problems, according to thePet Poison Helpline. In small doses, nutmeg might cause mild gastrointestinal distress. In very large doses, it can cause hallucinations, high blood pressure, and seizures.

Can Dogs Eat Applesauce?

Yes, dogs can safely eat plain applesauce! But applesauce generally includes added sugars, so always choose unsweetened applesauce and give it to them in moderation.

You can freeze applesauce in ice cube trays and share them with your dog after a long walk or on a hot summer day.

How To Safely Feed Apples To Your Dog (2024)

FAQs

How To Safely Feed Apples To Your Dog? ›

How to Safely Feed Apples to Dogs. Start by washing or peeling your apples to remove any possible pesticides that are concentrated in the peel. Since apple seeds contain small amounts of cyanide, Greenstein advises owners to err on the side of caution by coring apples and removing seeds before feeding them to your dog.

Can dogs have apples with skin? ›

The skin of an apple is safe for your pup to eat, but it's not ideal because it can cause indigestion. While a few apple slices with the peel attached are okay, your dog's stomach (and your carpet) will probably appreciate it if you peel the apple before feeding it to your dog.

How much apple is safe for a dog? ›

Eating an excess of apples can lead to your dog experiencing bellyache or diarrhea, so always serve them in moderation. Just an apple slice or two is enough to satisfy your dog's cravings. Puppies can also eat apples. If you haven't given them apples before, start with a small amount, like a slice or small cube.

Can you give dogs apple cores? ›

Yes, apples are good for dogs in moderation, but not as a full meal. You can feed your dog fresh apple slices, including the skin. Do not feed your dog apple cores, as they can become a choking hazard. Apples provide an excellent source of vitamin C, which is necessary for proper immune function.

Are apples hard to digest for dogs? ›

Since apples contain fiber, you need to control the number of apples you give to your dog. Dogs usually have a slower digestive system, and a higher fiber diet may cause an upset stomach. Not all parts of apples are safe for your dog.

What part of an apple can a dog not eat? ›

Wash the apple and remove the seeds and core. The peel can be left on. This is the part of the fruit that contains most fibre though, and excess fibre can sometimes cause digestive upset. If your pet has a sensitive tummy, it might be better to remove the peel altogether and only feed small quantities.

Can dogs eat apples with peanut butter? ›

Apples with peanut butter is a great, protein-packed snack. Just be sure that the peanut butter doesn't contain any artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is very toxic to dogs. Frozen apple slices are nutritious chewing treats for teething puppies, but watch for any choking hazards.

How to prepare apples for dogs? ›

Raw: Once you wash, core, and peel your apples, feed them to your pooch so they can enjoy the crunch. Eating raw apples can also help with cleaning your dog's teeth. 2. With peanut butter and other fruits: Cut apples into small slices and feed them to your dog paired with small amounts of peanut butter.

Can a dog eat scrambled eggs? ›

Eggs are nutritious for both people and dogs. They can be tasty treats or a hearty breakfast, whether they're hard-boiled, poached, scrambled, or over easy. A cooked entire egg or yolk can be good for your dog, unless your pet has a pre-existing health condition like acute pancreatitis or diabetes.

Can dogs eat raw apples? ›

Yes, apples are a fantastic addition to your dog's diet. They provide vitamin A, vitamin C and dietary fibre. They also provide a way to keep your dog's teeth clean and can help freshen their breath. But before you feed apples to your dog, always remove the core and the seeds.

Is peanut butter good for dogs? ›

' The good news is that regular peanut butter is safe to give your dog as a treat. Just make sure to avoid peanut butter with Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in lower or sugar-free products. Xylitol is the only ingredient in peanut butter that's bad for dogs.

Are dogs allowed bananas? ›

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.

Can dogs eat watermelon? ›

Good news: Your pooch can eat watermelon. However, this does come with precautions, according to the American Kennel Club. First, the watermelon must be seedless or you should remove the seeds before giving it to your pet. The seeds could lead to an intestinal blockage, so be sure that you pick a seedless watermelon.

Can dogs have cheese? ›

Don't worry—cheese is not toxic and is completely fine for most pups. However, some dogs can be lactose intolerant, meaning their body does not react well to dairy products. But even if your dog isn't lactose intolerant, it's still a good idea to keep their cheese consumption to a minimum.

Do apples contain xylitol? ›

Naturally occurring Xylitol is found in many fruits and vegetables, such as raspberries, apples, and carrots. The minuscule amount found in these treats means Fido and Meow-man would have to chow down a large amount to make them sick.

Why does my dog poop undigested apples? ›

It is perfectly normal to see some undigested food in your dog's stool, especially when your dog is eating a fresh diet with whole ingredients. Fruits and vegetables provide a variety of benefits to dogs, however, they're also rich in dietary fibers which dogs and mammals alike cannot digest.

What happens if my dog eats an apple core? ›

If your dog has eaten an apple core and doesn't appear to be having any trouble, there's no reason to immediately worry. The cyanide in apple seeds isn't a danger after a single apple, but after the poison accumulates over longer periods of exposure.

What happens if a dog eats an apple core with seeds? ›

Even a single apple seed can upset a small dog's stomach. If you suspect that your dog's eaten an apple core or has ingested harmful apple seeds from an apple tree, immediate veterinary care is essential. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning can include dilated pupils, panting, shock, and in severe cases, death.

Can dogs eat bananas and apples? ›

For most dogs, yes, many fruits fit the bill. Certain fruits, like bananas, apples, strawberries, and blueberries can provide dogs with some healthy variety to their diet and work as a feel-good treat. Unlike many highluy processed treats, fruits come with benefits.

Which fruits are good for dogs? ›

Here's some of the other fruits your four-legged friend can have in moderation:
  • Apples. Remove the seeds and core before you offer them as a treat.
  • Cantaloupe. This is another sweet treat that you should only give in moderation.
  • Cranberries. ...
  • Mango. ...
  • Oranges. ...
  • Peaches. ...
  • Pears. ...
  • Raspberries.
Feb 12, 2024

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