- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Nothing says celebration like a warm apple pie, candied apples, or spiced apple cider. Maybe you’re prepping a baked apple crumble and your dog wanders into the kitchen looking for those delicious smells. Do you treat her with a fresh slice of apple? If you’ve ever wondered “can dogs eat apples?” we have answers for you.
Usually, apples are a healthy, low-calorie, and affordable treat for dogs. They contain antioxidants, dietary fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C. They also freshen up doggy breath and can help with dental hygiene!
Still, you’ll want to exercise some caution about the parts of the apple your dog eats. Here are some different ways your dog can eat apples and what you’ll want to avoid.
Can Dogs Eat Apples?
Yes! Fresh chunks of apples are good for dogs.
It’s best to cut an apple into bite-sized chunks before serving. Be sure to remove all seeds and toss out the apple core (see more info below.) Introduce apples into your dog’s diet gradually, and serve in moderation as a treat or added to your dog’s usual meal.
If your dog has diabetes, consult your vet about a recommended amount of apples (or any fruit) that your pet can eat. Apples should be a supplement to their meals or a spontaneous treat, never a full meal substitute.
Are Apples Healthy for My Dog?
A single apple is rich in potassium, fiber, vitamins A and C. A single apple also averages about 25 grams of sugar. While a whole apple might be too much sugar for your furry friend, peeled cubes of raw apple are a tasty treat that you can split with your dog.
Serving Ideas
- Share a slice of apple from your lunch as a way to bond with your dog and freshen his breath
- Freeze apple sauce in ice cube trays for a refreshing summer treat
- Prepare a veggie and fruit tray of crunchy snacks for your next puppy play date–add sliced apples, cucumbers, carrots, and mango!
- Bake a treat for your pup like our Gluten-Free Apple Pie Bites
Can Dogs Eat Apple Cores?
While the flesh of the apple is fine for dogs, skip the apple core. An apple’s core isn’t pet-friendly, mostly because the thick, tough core can get caught in their throat. In addition, the seeds are toxic as well.
If your dog does go for an apple core and you see them start to chow down, don’t panic.
If your dog chews the core thoroughly and swallows it before you can intervene, then simply keep an eye on him. If your dog is choking, he will probably panic.
You may see him paw at his mouth, which is when you’ll want to gently try to remove the core with your fingers. PetMD has steps for how to remove an obstruction and perform Heimlich on your pet here.
Can I Feed My Dog Apple Peels?
In moderation. If pieces of peel are on the slices of apple, that’s okay. We recommended fully peeling the apple first and splitting slices of the apple with your best friend.
If you’re working on an apple pie and slices of peel drop to the floor, your dog will be okay if he eats a few. Any more than a few, however, and your dog can experience uncomfortable indigestion. Apple peels aren’t suitable as treats.
Can Eating Apples Be Dangerous for My Dog?
Dogs should avoid apple seeds. Apple seeds contain a trace amount of the poison cyanide (as do almonds, peach pits, and pear seeds) so you’ll want to avoid feeding them to your dog. When serving a slice of apple to your dog, wash it free of seeds, and slice off any of the tough core.
If you have an apple tree in the backyard or in any area that your dog might be, keep an eye on fallen fruits. We never know what our dogs will play with, gnaw on, or eat whole. While you don’t necessarily want to call your vet over one apple seed, if you notice any lethargy or digestive discomfort, consult your vet about apple seed accumulation or too much fruit.
A related warning about nutmeg: If your dog is like mine and likes to go for any food item left unattended, keep careful watch this holiday season over your apple pie or anything spiced with nutmeg. You can learn more about the particular dangers of nutmeg in our “Can My Dog Eat Apple Pie?” article.
Apple Recipes for Dogs
A dog-friendly apple recipe is a great way to use up those backyard apples or your haul from the orchard. Check out this recipe for gluten-free apple pie bites for dogs; the video takes you through it step-by-step.
For More Information
From cantaloupe to mango, there is a wide selection of information on fruit available on our Can My Dog Eat? directory page.
Learn more about feeding your dog a wonderfully varied diet while learning the limitations of a dog’s sensitive digestive system. We offer a collection of articles on foods that are safe, dangerous or even toxic for dogs to eat, including vegetables, dairy, bread, and junk food.
Learn more about the veggies that are safe for dogs in articles such as Can my dog eat pears?
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Featured image: Flickr/MassTravel
