Apples are a nutritious, healthy fruit that we humans love to snack on, but it's always best to check if our pooches can enjoy it just the same.
So, does an apple a day keep the vet away?
Can dogs eat apples?
Several human foods are safe for our dogs to snack on too, apples being a great one!
Dogs (including puppies) love apples. They’re high in fibre and antioxidants while also providing vitamin A and C to your dog.
However, apple seeds contain cyanide (just like pears and cherries), so you should always remove them before feeding your dog an apple, just in case the deadly chemical causes any harm to your pooch.
Are apples good for dogs?
Granny Smith, Braeburn, Gala, Jazz, Golden Delicious, you name any type of apple you’d find on your weekly shop and your dog can eat it.
Apples are cheap and low in calories, making them a perfect snack for both people and pooches.
If you want to treat your dog to some of the food you’re eating, an apple is a great choice, you could even use tiny chunks of apple as training rewards!
Crunchy, crisp and no doubt delicious, apples are not only tasty but they’re actually good for your dog too!
They’re full of nutrients but low in protein and fat making them a super snack for digestive health and for senior dogs who need a low protein, low fat diet.
Some vets believe that the vitamin C and antioxidants in apples help with degenerative conditions and can contribute to overall gastrointestinal health.
Dogs love the taste, crunch and texture, but you can change this up by freezing the apples beforehand which makes these into a whole new treat for your dog.
Apples are also known to be good for a dog’s oral health (you should still brush their teeth regularly though).
These can be a great addition to any dog’s diet just make sure when feeding to wash and core the apple (remove the stem too) while slicing into small, manageable chunks for your dog.
Can apples be bad for dogs?
The number one thing to watch out for when treating your dog to a slice of apple is those sneaky seeds.
Apple seeds contain really tiny, trace amounts of cyanide, which is a deadly, potentially life threatening chemical that is dangerous to our dogs. Once these seeds break down when your pooch breaks into them, the chemical will be released.
A couple of seeds will likely not cause any harm, it would take a fair few of them to cause poisoning. However, it’s best to be safe and remove them.
Some people suggest that the stems can pose threat to your dog too, this isn’t certain but again, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so remove these too.
As with everything, it’s best in moderation. If you’re wanting to use apples as a treat, start by only giving them a little bit at first. Monitor how your dog reacts to the apple to make sure there’s no bad reaction or allergy to the food as this can happen in rare cases.
If you feed too many apples your dog could suffer from an upset stomach or even diarrhoea.
Can dogs eat apple-flavoured things?
Many of the snacks we eat are flavoured with something, whether that be cherry, strawberry, orange or apple. However, many products that have an apple-flavouring are comprised of sugar, chemicals and artificial flavours.
Don’t feed your dog any of these types of foods, and make sure you always check the label of any human food. Look out for artificial flavourings and chemicals.
Can dogs eat applesauce?
Applesauce is a tasty delicacy that we humans add to a variety of dishes, and you may be wondering if you can add it to your dog’s dinner too.
Some types of applesauce will be perfectly fine for your dog to eat, but these can be tricky to find.
Most applesauce has added sugar, which is not good for your pooch as apples have all the natural sugars they need anyway.
The best thing to do is completely avoid giving your pooch applesauce to save any risk.
Can dogs drink apple juice?
Similar to applesauce, apple juice tends to be pumped with extra sugars that your dog simply does not need as this can cause problems like diabetes and bad oral health.
As stated, apples are great for your pooch’s pearly whites, but the artificial sugars added to other apple products you get in the supermarket are not great.
Should I feed my dog apples?
Yes! Apples are a great addition to your dog’s diet. There are plenty of ways to serve apples to your dog, as stated, try freezing them and giving your pooch it as a snack to cool them down in the warm weather.
You could even try smashing the apples down into a lickimat to provide a fun mental enrichment activity to keep your dog entertained for a while.
As we know, apples can be used as training treats or just little snacks, but they actually make a great supplement as a part of your dog’s complete meal.
Pure recipes, added in to provide a nutritious, balanced diet that contains everything your dog could ever need, alongside other fruits, vegetables, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Apples are full of fibre, which is a great digestive aid to soothe sensitive stomachs, enrich your dog with all the nutrients they need and help keep your dog’s diet totally gut friendly.
Pure contains ingredients such as apples to provide your dog with a natural, nutrient-dense dinner.
Apples are even a great addition for senior pooches and those that are on a restricted diet due to ailments such as pancreatitis due to their low levels of fat and protein.
All in all, an apple a day is a great way to keep the vet away! Tell us more about your pooch can we can curate a tailored recipe that will be brimming with natural, wholesome ingredients to keep your dog happy and healthy.
