Is it possible to have an apple a day, which keeps the veterinarian away? Possibly not, but apple is a nutritious food for dogs and puppies.
The Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Red Delicious, and Gala types of apples are a few varieties that you could find easily at your neighborhood grocery shop, and they are safe apples that are allowed to be eaten by dogs.
Nonetheless, there are a few things to be cautious of when feeding your dog apples. The benefits and risks are as follows.
Are Apples Good for Dogs?
Yes, apples are good for dogs when taken in moderation, but not as a full meal. Apples also contain dog-friendly food, and this includes fresh apple slices, including the skin, which can be given to your dog. Avoid giving your dog apple cores, which may turn out to be a choking hazard.
An apple is a good source of vitamin C that also needs to be intake to have a good immune system. They contain as well their share of carbs, the ultimate source of energy, and are rich in fiber, which participates in digestion and the regulation of blood sugar.
Can a Dog Eat Apple Seeds?
In case your dog consumes a few apple seeds, then it is okay.
Well, the fact is that apple seeds do have cyanide, and this is also a deadly poison to both dog and human beings. The amount of apple seeds your dog would need to consume to have cyanide poisoning would, however, be enormous.
About 85 grams of seeds, or the seeds of approximately 200 apples, should be chewed up and swallowed by just a medium-sized dog. In the case of a small dog, 100 apples would be utilized, and 300 in the case of a big dog.
To give an example, one of the chemicals that can lead to the occurrence of hypoxia, the absence of oxygen delivery in the body, is cyanide. Cyanide poisoning is characterised by some of the following symptoms:
- Mucus membranes of brick-red color
- Dilated pupils
- Difficulty breathing
- Panting
- Shock
Are Apples Bad for a Dog’s Teeth?
One may wish to question whether the sugars that are contained in apples decay the teeth of his/her dog, and the answer is unlikely.
Water content in apples will aid in cleaning the sugar in the mouth, and thus, apples are not so harmful to the teeth. The apple skins make a bonus as they function like a toothbrush.
Can Dogs Have Apple Juice, Applesauce, or Apple Chips?
Apple chips, applesauce, and apple juice (and other similar products where apples are used) are less nutritious versions of apples.
The processed apple chips, which are also called dehydrated apple pieces, purchased at the stores have added sugar, and are fiberless. Applesauce and apple juice bought in stores can be high quality in terms of water content, yet they can contain sugar added to them, and these foods are free of fiber.
Such combinations have the potential to cause weight gain and diabetes. Nevertheless, these, in their homemade form or as store-bought without added sugar, are permissible among dogs, in small quantities.
Are Some Dogs Allergic to Apples?
The allergens present in dogs are mainly proteins in food. The amounts of proteins present in apples are insignificant. So, dogs are not normally allergic to apples, even when they can be.
How Many Apples Can Dogs Eat?
Even though apples are a safe and healthy snack to feed dogs, all apples your dog takes in should comprise only 10 percent of his entire diet, whereas the rest of 90 percent should be comprised of a well-balanced dog food diet.
In order to give you a little bit of an idea of the correct portion sizes, I have compiled some general guidelines depending on the weight and breed size of your dog.
You should discuss your dog’s diet with the veterinarian in case you have any doubts or questions.
- Extra-small dog (2-20 lbs.) = 1-2 pieces ( 12 inch wide by 14 inch thick)
- Examples: Pomeranians, Pugs, Yorkies, Chihuahuas
- 21-30 pound small dog = 2-3 pieces (1-inch wide ribbon by 1/4 thick)
- Examples: Beagles, Basenjis, and Miniature Australian Shepherds
- Med pro-large dog (31-50 lbs.) = 5-6 pieces (1-inch wide by 1/4-inch thick)
- Examples: Border collies, Basset Hounds, Australian cattle dogs
- Very big dog (51-90 lbs.) = small handful of pieces (1-inch wide by 1/4-inchly thick)
- Examples: Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and Australian Shepherds
- Extra-large dog (91+ lbs.) = few pieces (1-inch wide and 1/4-inch thick)
- Examples: Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, St. Bernards, Great Pyrenees
Even though apples are not harmful to dogs, an unhealthy dog can get an upset stomach when eating too many apples due to their level of sugar and fiber in the fruit.
Watch out for the common symptoms of an upset stomach:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite or decreased appetite
- Looking uncomfortable
- Licking the lips
- This is due to gulping to fight off reflux
How often can you give a dog apples?
Apples are as safe to dogs as they are to human beings, but overdosing on overdoses with fruits may result in stomach pains or explosive diarrhea. Other professionals suggest using no more than the equivalent of one or two slices every day. Remember, however, that your dog does not have to consume apples every day.
How to Safely Feed Your Dog Apples
Apples make an exciting, not to mention simple and delicious, snack for your dog. Simply make sure that you wash them well, then cut out the core, stem, and the seeds, chop them small, and then feed them to your dog.
Apple snack
Naturally, the simplest means of feeding apples to your dog happens to be chopping the fruit and making small pieces that are approximately 1 inch wide and about a quarter inch thick, and then giving the fruit to your dog as an edible treat.
Food topper
Apples can also be used as a food topper, where they are chopped up or blended and incorporated into the normal food of your dog.
Frozen with the KONG toy
Puree some pieces of apple, fill them in the KONG toy of your dog, and freeze overnight to provide a refreshing cold bite in the morning.
Fruit smoothie
Puree your pieces of apple in combination with a few other dog-safe fruits: bananas, blueberries, and strawberries. Then just add a bit to a dish as a treat, or use it as a food topping, or place it into the freezer in your dog’s KONG toy to use later.
Fruit yogurt
Take a mixture of some apple pieces with fully sour, non-sweetened, and xylitol-free yogurt (Xylitol is also poisonous to dogs). You may feed it to your dog alone, or you may incorporate it with other fruits that are safe for dogs.
Fruit popsicles
Put the apple and yogurt (used above) into a freezing tray and freeze overnight to make some doggy popsicles which your pup would love! You may even make use of a popsicle stick in the form of a dog treat or bully stick.
Doggy-Ice cream
Chill lumps of sliced apple in the refrigerator. And then simply mix them through the plain yogurt to create a dog-friendly apple ice cream. It is possible to include some of the other dog-friendly frozen fruits in the mix in this treat as well.
Dehydrated apples
You can make Apple pieces dehydrated at home in a dehydrator. Sugar will be concentrated more per ounce; that is why feed it to your dog in small amounts. And skip all those dehydrated fruits that you buy at the store, they always have some extra sugar and preservatives in them.
Can dogs eat apple seeds or apple cores?
No, apple seeds are harmful to dogs. In Apple seeds, you will find traces of cyanide, and hence, when your dog eats a couple of seeds, he or she might fall ill. Cyanide is also present in the stems and leaves of apples; hence, you cannot consume them either.
The cores of apple fruits may also result in choking or intestinal blockage. Do not, therefore, administer these to dogs. Exclude all the seeds and core of an apple when you feed your dog this fruit.
How Many Apples Can Dogs Eat?
Apples can be the favorite food that is chewed by your canine companion, yet do not allow him to eat excessively. Your dog may develop a bellyache or diarrhoea after eating too many apples; hence, you should always ensure that you serve them in moderation. Only one or two small slices of an apple will help you satisfy the cravings of your dog.
Apples can also be fed to the puppies. Unless you already know that they have a taste for apples, give them a little bit, a piece, or a small cube. Watch them so they do not get an allergic reaction. Check whether they have any gastrointestinal issues. Avoid feeding apples to your dog and seek veterinarian help when necessary, in case they have some issues.
