Are Apples Safe for Dogs? Nutrition & Serving Suggestions

For dogs, are apples a treat? Sure! Apart from taste, apples are quite rich in antioxidants and fiber.

For dogs, are apples a treat? Definitely! Apples are not only great but also really rich in fibber and antioxidants. Dogs can consume apples as long as the core and seeds—which have minute levels of toxins—are eliminated. Moderation is important; treats should account for no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie count.

But does a daily apple help the veterinarian stay away? Let’s explore how to safely include human food like apples in your dog’s diet without running the danger of a veterinarian trip.

Good nutrients abound in apples, including vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium. Dogs trying to keep a healthy weight or lose weight will find apples a smart choice since they are also low-calorie and low-fat. As such, they replace conventional dog treats as a crunchy, nutritious snack.

Here are some other specifics about Apple’s characteristics and health advantages:

Crucially, for a dog’s immune system, vitamins A and C abound in apples. While vitamin C guards the body against illness, vitamin A keeps the skin and coat in good condition.

A good source of fiber, apple peel will help to maintain the digestive system of your dog in good condition. Additionally, fibber helps your dog feel full, which can help stop overindulgence. Your dog’s teeth will benefit greatly from the skin, which functions as a toothbrush!

Antioxidants abound in apples, which help shield your dog’s cells from harm. Furthermore, Antioxidants also reduce the risk of a variety of chronic diseases, such as cancer
a good and nutritious treat for dogs overall. Just be careful to exclude the core and seeds; offer your dog no more than one to three apple slices daily.

As discussed, never give your dog apple core or apple seeds. Small amounts of cyanide found in the core and seeds could be dangerous for dogs if consumed in large doses. Apple cores can also choke the throat, therefore posing a choking risk.

Apple portions, applesauce, or frozen apples may be administered to your dog. Just be sure to start with a little amount and raise the amount progressively to ensure your dog does not have any negative responses like constipation or an upset stomach. To guarantee it is free of any last traces of pesticides, wash very well.

If you are giving your dog applesauce, be sure no sugar is added. Apples should be the sole ingredient. Not one preservative, sugar, or sugar substitute like xylitol—also called birch sugar. Turn away the apple pie as well.

To prevent any digestive problems, gently introduce new foods to your dog.

Never give your dog a whole apple; always cut it into small pieces for your furry friend. There are a few varieties of apples that are unsafe for dogs, including ground cherries, wild apples, and crab apples; their cyanide concentration is higher than that of other varieties.

From Western University of Health Sciences, Dr. John Tegzes, VMD, Diplomat American Board of Veterinary Toxicology, gives a brief review of how apples, apple seeds, and associated fruits and plants could impact your dog’s health.

“We are discussing apple seeds and all plants part of the genus called prunus, which includes cherries, apples, almonds, apricots, plums, and peaches (the list continues on and on).

We have all heard these; some believe the pits contain cyanide, while others consider them to be mythologies, and they are definitely genuine. Actually, every one of these fruits has cyanide in its pits; the whole plant has cyanide. The edible fruits are the only ones lacking in this regard. Cyanide is found, though, in the stems, leaves, twigs, and branches.

It is not in great concentration now. If you unintentionally eat a few apple seeds or if your dog eats one peach pit, it won’t cause cyanide poisoning. Other issues can arise; they might develop a stomach foreign body or a foreign body within their intestinal tract from a pit, but the toxicity normally requires rather more than just what will be found in pits and stems.

But if you have sticks falling off an apple tree or a cherry tree, dogs prefer to gnaw on those. Those also contain cyanide; hence, those are the kinds of branches and trees you wish your dog not to chew on.

Again, most likely one or two bites or a small meal devoid of acute toxicity. Although we do see cases yearly in California, the species most usually seen dying from these plants are cows, goats, and sheep. This is so because those animals are grazing or foraging on vast amounts of the particular type of plant material from the genesis plants in these places.

This material is for informational only use; it does not substitute expert nutrition and/or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For particular dietary and/or medical advice, it is not a replacement for and should not be relied on. Discuss any queries or issues with your veterinarian.

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