Welcome to “Can My Dog Eat That?,” our series that answers some obvious (and not-so-obvious) questions about what your dog can and can’t safely eat. Read on!
You know what they say about apples and the DOGtor, right? While it’s not exactly gospel that eating an apple a day will keep your pooch out of the veterinarian’s office, the sentiment of the modern proverb is dead-on: Apples are pretty good snacks for your dog (and you, too!)
In moderation, nature’s candy won’t hurt your dog in any way and is, in fact, a healthy treat. Apples are great sources of fiber, vitamin C and vitamin A, not to mention potassium. And an underrated aspect of feeding apple to your dog is that the rough texture works as sort of a natural tooth cleaner and breath freshener. This aspect in no way replaces actual doggy dental care; it’s more of an added perk you get for feeding the fibrous fruit.
A not-so underrated aspect of apples is that they taste great to your dog, despite being low in calories. This is all your dog really cares about, after all.
A Is for Effort
Of course, there’s prep work involved with feeding apples. You can’t just chuck a whole Sweet Tango at your drooling doggo and let them chow down. You have to slice that apple up first because (sigh) like all good things, there is a catch: Apple seeds and cores are no-nos. The seeds contain a tiny amount of cyanide, a dangerous poison. And the core is just hard to chew, making it a choking hazard or even a digestion issue if your dog does choke it down. The good news? You don’t have to peel that apple before slicing it and handing it over. The peels are great sources of potassium, and not harmful in any way, lest they get stuck between teeth (another reason not to duck out on the dental). What a nice switch for a fruit!
There’s an App(le) for That
Dogs can easily handle most forms of simple apple. Slicing or cubing raw apples is the most popular way to feed them, but don’t hesitate to bust out that old food dehydrator and offer up some chewy dried apple snacks. Another sweet spot is applesauce. Most dogs will wag uncontrollably over a saucer of the sauce. Just make sure that you go for unsweetened applesauce. Apples come pre-loaded by Mother Nature with more than enough sugar, so there’s no need for more.
Moderation, as Always
Remember when we said that offering a whole apple isn’t the way to go? There are reasons besides your seed and core issues. An average apple has nearly 20 grams of sugar which is…a lot. Too much sugar can cause bellyaches in the short term, and too much sugar on a regular basis can cause obesity or diabetes. If your dog is diabetic, it’s best that they avoid apples. Too much apple may also cause digestive upset, because of the large amounts of fiber. And doggy diarrhea isn’t a problem anyone wants. Stick to a few slices at a time and everything will be good.
There’s a small chance that your dog is allergic to apples, so for their first taste, stick to just a taste. If you don’t see any reaction, start slicing!
RELATED POST: Can My Dog Eat That: A Guide by Taste of the Wild
The information in this blog has been developed with our veterinarian and is designed to help educate pet parents. If you have questions or concerns about your pet's health or nutrition, please talk with your veterinarian.
