Can Dogs Eat Apples?

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Aren’t we all listening to this since childhood? The answer is obviously yes. Apples are a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants.

Can Dogs Eat Apples?

Yes, dogs can eat apples but in a limited quantity. Apple is a tasty and healthy snack item for our furry friends. Just like humans, dogs love sweets too.

An apple is a better option to satisfy your dog’s sweet tooth than chocolates and other sweet dishes, which can harm a dog’s health.

Apples, like other plant foods, contain a lot of useful vitamins and minerals. Some dogs like to eat grass, various vegetables, and fruits. But is it possible to give apples to dogs, with and without peel, and will it benefit their body?

First, you need to know that if your dog eats good premium dog food, then she does not need any additional vitamins, everything is already included in the food. And if your dog is on a natural diet, then vegetables and fruits must be included in her daily diet.

Secondly, it should be remembered that sweets are strictly forbidden for dogs, from sweets in their body some many problems and diseases can lead to sad consequences.

The best option is green apples for your dog. Apples are good but red ones can cause itching, allergies, and indigestion. Green apples are less sweet and better for dogs. If your dog is trying an apple for the first time, offer him a small bite first and see how his digestive system reacts, whether he gets constipation or diarrhea. If the animal feels great and asks for more, then give apples from time to time as a treat.

Nutritional Value Of Apples For Dogs:

Apples are a hard and fibrous food that is good for the teeth of dogs. Moreover, due to apples’ nutritional content, they even naturally clean the enamel of the teeth and kill microbes by the action of sour apple juice.

Apples also contain calcium, which is important for the development and strengthening of the dog’s skeletal system. Vitamins B, C, and E strengthen the dog’s immunity and thus reduce the risk of contracting an infectious or viral disease. Apples also contain iron, which saturates the cells with oxygen, which is of great importance for maintaining the defenses of the animal’s body.

Here are the detailed nutritional values of apples for dogs

Antihistamine

Quercetin, a kind of antihistamine known as nature’s Benadryl, is a flavonoid that helps to beat off the bad effects of allergies, and apples are a rich source of Quercetin. This antihistamine also helps in reducing irritation, inflammation, and redness.

Vitamin-C

The vitamin C found in apples helps to cure degenerative conditions in dogs. In addition to these benefits, apple keeps your canine companion’s teeth clean and breath fresh. Apple consumption will also help those dogs who need to lose or maintain body weight.

Vitamin-A

Apple is a rich nutrient, vitamin A. This vitamin adds benefits to the dog’s skin well as vision. Vitamin A also coats the health of your dog. Vitamin A strengthens the immune system of dogs and hence helps protect the dog’s health.

Polyphenols

Apples are a rich source of polyphenols. Even for every 100 gms of apple, there are 200 to 300 mg of polyphenols which is very useful for dogs.

Polyphenols help in preventing diseases like cancer. It detoxifies the liver of a dog and promotes a balanced gut. It also reduces chronic inflammation.

What are the Health Benefits of Eating Apples for Dogs?

Apple is not just a tasty treat for your dog. Still, it also provides different health benefits to dogs, like improving gut health, helping in relieving allergies, helping with degenerative conditions like joint disease, and providing antioxidants. The fiber found in apples helps improve the dog’s gut health.

An apple is the most affordable fruit. At the same time, it is completely safe for the body. Nutritionists advise giving applesauce as a complementary food, already in the first weeks after the birth of the puppy.

Carrots and apples are the two most affordable foods. They allow you to normalize digestion, as well as provide access to vitamin-containing substances. It is undesirable to remove apples completely when making up a dog’s diet. Regular and dosed introduction of an apple into the diet will bring the following benefits:

• Normalize and stabilize the work of the digestive system, eliminating cases of constipation and diarrhea.
• Ensure the saturation of the body with fiber, necessary for the normal development and growth of the animal, as well as carbohydrates.
• Increased protection against viral and infectious diseases.
• Strengthening immunity. An apple contains a sufficient amount of vitamins (C, B1, B2, P) that can strengthen the immune system.
• Strengthening the immune system, normalization of the nervous system, and musculoskeletal structure
• Saturation of the body with the most useful trace elements (manganese, potassium, iron, calcium, etc.).
• Strengthening the gums and jaws, and cleansing the enamel from yellowness.

Any variety of apples is a great delicacy. It’s better than chocolate chips or other sweets. In general, the owner, who regularly gives his pet a certain portion of apples, forms a positive mood in the animal and relieves many health problems!

Potential Hazards Associated With Apples For Dogs

Undoubtedly! If you give dogs apples constantly and in large quantities. What is the harm?

The pulp of the fruit consists of fairly coarse fiber. If you eat a little fruit, it will only benefit, but the excess consumption stimulates the active removal of toxic substances and accumulated slag from the body. This will lead to gastrointestinal disorders and increased gas formation.

Excessive eating of apples can provoke the development of diarrhea, as a result – dehydration. It will require emergency veterinary care and a lengthy recovery process.

Another danger is an allergic reaction.

The likelihood of developing an allergy to apples in a dog is negligible. But if the fruit turned out to be of poor quality, with nitrates, the dog may begin to itch. Apples bought in stores are often covered with a layer of paraffin. In addition, chemicals that are sprayed on the fruits during their ripening may remain on the peel. All this can also provoke an allergy.

You will avoid problems if you feed your dog (periodically) yellow or green fruits. And it is better to refuse apples with a red peel, they may contain the strongest allergen.

Possible Side Effects Of Apples For Dogs

Apples come with calcium, phosphorus, and potassium—all beneficial to the dog’s health. Nevertheless, simply like any food, apples may show side effects if the owner feeds large quantities to the dog. In such cases, the dog may experience diarrhea, upset stomach, or worse.

Allergic Reaction To Apple In Dogs?

In general, an allergy to apples is a rare type of reaction in the body. Allergy can be provoked by nitrates that remain on the peel after the chemical treatment of the fruit.

Also, the nature and severity of allergic manifestations depend on the type and color of the fruit. Yes, it’s the colors. For red varieties, the reaction occurs more often due to the presence of carotenes and anthocyanins (natural dyes) in them.

In addition, the apples that we buy in stores are often treated with paraffin. Paraffin can also provoke allergies.

But, allergic intolerance to red apples is an individual feature. Our Jack, for example, enjoys eating red apples without any consequences.

Dog With Diabetes And Apple

Apples contain sugar. Thus, you need to mind the amount and try to serve in moderation only. The sugar content of apples can lead to issues for dogs who are already suffering from diabetes or cancer,

which is one more reason you must ask your vet before giving apples to your furry friend. Moreover, too many apples can also lead to diarrhea or an upset stomach, even in a healthy dog.

How To Feed Apples To Your Dog?

If you are giving your dog an apple for the first time, do not rush to make your pet happy with a large portion. Limit yourself to a small piece, see if the pet likes the taste or not, if he likes it or not, if there is an allergic reaction or not, etc. Treat apples only after your dog has eaten his main meal.

Green and yellow fresh apples are suitable for dog food. If the fruits are grown in your garden, or at least in your lane, you can give them with a peel. If purchased and imported, then it is better to free the fruit from the peel first.

What a dog is better off avoiding is apple pits. They contain cyanide, a poisonous compound. And if the pet likes to eat hastily, and swallows the offered pieces indiscriminately, it is better to cut the fruit into cubes so that your four-legged friend does not choke in a hurry.

How Many Apples Should A Dog Eat?

While apples are beneficial to dogs, now you must be thinking about how many apples you should feed your dog.

Though there are many benefits of apples to dogs, excess consumption can inverse effect on dogs’ health. It has been stated that apples should be only 10 percent of a dog’s daily calories.

Small dogs up to 10 kg can only be given 1-2 pieces of apple a couple of times a week. Medium dogs (10 to 25 kg) can also be given half an apple 2-3 times a week.

Large dogs over 25 kg can be given a whole apple, but it must be cut into pieces (do not forget to remove the seeds). Some breeds are more prone to allergies, in which case apples can be harmful to them. This question should be clarified with the breeder.

Apple-Based Recipes For Dog Treats

You can give apples to dogs in almost any form – baked, fresh, and even some dogs like soaked apples. Dried apples are often included in vitamin mixtures and animal food. And if the dog persistently refuses to eat a fresh apple, try offering him dried fruit – there is a chance that he will be the picky eater.

Do not give dogs apple jam, sweet apple compote, or apple jelly. All dishes in which, in addition to fruit, there is a large amount of sugar, are not healthy for the dog, rather fatal. But if you are making apple compote without sugar, then you can offer the dog a small portion – as a change.

SUMMARY

You can give dogs green apples with a peel, but without seeds, strictly in limited quantities, and monitor the reaction of the animal’s body.

If the fruit nevertheless caused a negative reaction, then it will be quite simple to recognize it: the pet will have itching. The eyes may begin to water, sometimes it “flows” from the nose.

Allergic dogs tend to shed hair quickly. If this happens, do not waste time looking for the product that caused such a reaction, and take instant action by taking the dog to the vet.

As with people with allergic sensitization, dogs are given antihistamines (Suprastin, Loratadin, Erius, etc.). Give the dosage by the instructions for the drug, which describes the doses and frequency for children. If the dog is small, reduce the children’s dose by half.

After providing first aid, contact your veterinarian. Remember everything that the dog ate during the last day. Sometimes an allergy develops not even to food, but, for example, to a new rubber ball.

Do not give your dog anything that could exacerbate the negative reaction before seeing the doctor. Provide the dog with plenty of fluids – this will help to quickly remove the remnants of the antigen from the body.

FAQ

How Many Apples are Too Many?

You can give one slice or a maximum of 2 slices of apples to your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Apple Skin?

Yes, dogs can eat apple skin. But you must keep certain things in mind when feeding your dog apple and its skin. Make sure to wash the apple nicely because the outside of the apple is treated with pesticide, and it can cause harm to your furry friend if not washed properly before eating.

Can Dogs Eat Apple Cores?

No, while apples benefit dogs, seeds present in apple cores can cause serious health problems in dogs. Seeds of apples contain the amygdalin compound. And do you know, Cyanide can be produced if dogs’ digestive enzymes come in contact with this amygdalin compound

Can Dogs Drink Apple Juice?

No As added sugar in Apple juice can also cause diarrhea in dog-sit has been found that dogs can develop type II diabetes if they continue to gain weight. Therefore, it is advised to eat a fresh apple instead of drinking its juice.

Can puppies eat apples?

Yes, puppies can eat apples in moderation. Apples are a healthy, low-fat snack for dogs, and they contain fiber and vitamins that can be beneficial for a puppy’s health. However, it’s important to note that the seeds and core of the apple contain small amounts of cyanide, which can be toxic to dogs if ingested in large quantities.

Are Green Apples Good For Dogs?

A big yes to green apples for dogs. Not just a healthy treat, green apples can also mend many health problems for dogs. Green apples are a good source of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). The antioxidants green apples carry are chlorogenic acid, Quercetin, and catechin, which have anti-inflammatory effects and support brains and muscles.

Can Dogs Eat Apple Pie?

Apple pie is good for your dog if it contains ingredients of apple, sugar, and cinnamon are the required quality. Extra added sugar in apple pie can also cause cavity problems in your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Honeycrisp Apples?

Different varieties of apples like Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, Gala, and Granny Smith are beneficial to our canine companions. Just remember to give your dog one or a maximum of 2 slices of apple.

Can Dogs Eat Apple Seeds?

No, apple seeds are strictly not allowed for dogs to eat. Apple seeds can upset your dog’s stomach.

Can Dogs Eat Apple Chips?

Yes Dogs can eat Apple Chips but in less quantity. It is so because apple chips contain a large amount of sugar, and some brands also add refined sugar or salt to the apple chips.

Is it safe to feed apples to dogs?

Yes, dogs can consume apples. For your dog, apples are a great source of fibre, vitamins A and C, and both. They are the ideal snack for older dogs because they are low in protein and fat. Just be sure you first remove the core and seeds.

Are dogs’ stomachs being affected by apples?

Apples are generally safe for dogs to eat and can be a healthy and nutritious addition to their diet in moderation. Apples are a good source of fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants, which can help support your dog’s digestive health and overall well-being.

How much apple is safe for dogs to eat?

A small amount of apples is safe and healthy for most dogs to eat. A few slices or small pieces of apple can be a tasty and nutritious treat for your dog, and can provide them with important nutrients like fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants.