Can Dogs Eat Apples? Yes But Be Careful

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Perhaps, the most commonly asked treat related question is “can dogs eat apples?”. Yes, dogs can eat apples, but like anything that is outside of their normal diet, moderation should be practiced. And, there are a few things that you should know first.

While an apple itself is good for a dog, the core and seeds can cause problems. And, any food outside of a normal doggie diet is going to cause some gastrointestinal issues.

Any change in your dog’s diet, including feeding them apples, should be discussed with your veterinarian before implementing.

 

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Nutritional Benefits of Apples for Dog

  • Apples are a fantastic of vitamins (A, C, and K), minerals, calcium, and phosphorous for your dog
  • Apples are fat free and low in protein, which makes them a good treat choice for an obese or a senior dog
  • Great treat for a dog that has a sweet tooth.
  • Low calorie
  • Apples are good at cleaning a dog’s teeth (although, they should not be the only thing that you are using to clean a dog’s teeth.

 

Preparing and Feeding Apples to Your Dog

Can You Feed Your Dog Apples

Always consult with your veterinarian before sharing any type of human food with your dog. They know your dog’s breed, age, and specific issues. This will allow them to make an informed decision about whether or not you can feed them any apples, and the quantity of apples that is allowable.

When deciding how to feed your dog apples, it’s a good idea to slice them into smaller pieces, so that it’s easier for the dog to chew. A whole apple that is eaten too quickly can be a choking hazard for your four-legged friend.

Another popular way to feed your dog apples is to crush them into homemade applesauce. You can give your dog applesauce, but it’s harder on their teeth. It’s important to make sure that there is no added sugar.

Freeze dried apples are a great treat to feed as well, just make sure that the ONLY INGREDIENT is apples. Really, the only apple flavored anything that you want to feed your dogs is apples themselves.

When you start the process of feeding apples to your dog, start small. Apples are known to cause an allergic reaction in dogs (anaphylactic shock).

 

What to Do if Your Dog Ate Apples

If your dog has gotten into some apples without your blessing, they probably are not going to get sick. It really depends on how many apple seeds they ate, which can cause them to get pretty sick, as the seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide.

If your dog got into a large number of apples, make sure that you give them plenty of opportunities to use the restroom. It’s likely that they may have continence issues for a few days. If the weather permits, let them spend more time outside.

 

Are Apples Bad for Your Dog’s Teeth?

Apples + Dog’s Teeth

Apples do contain more sugar than standard kibble, but they are unlikely to have any affect on your dog’s teeth. In fact, the apple’s skin acts just like a toothbrush, which makes apples a net positive for a dog’s teeth when given in moderation.

 

Apple Seeds are Poisonous

Apple seeds contain a small amount of cyanide, so make sure that you are not feeding them to your dog. If your dog eats a single apple by itself, it’s not going to be enough to cause cyanide poisoning.

When a dog eats a lot of apple seeds, or a few apple seeds consistently over a period of time, it can cause cyanide poisoning. If you suspect that your dog has been poisoned, call the veterinarian right away.

 

Will Your Dog Eat Apples?

It’s highly likely that if you were to give an apple to your dog, they’d turn their nose up at it. But, if they do like them, you’ve got a great treat to give them sparingly. Just don’t give them the seeds!

Jason
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