Andrew Are Apples Good for Dogs?
Dogs and apples are a great mix! According to an article by the American Kennel Club, apples are a great source of vitamins C and A with other good nutrients like potassium and antioxidants. It is a good idea to include apples in your dog’s diet but only as treats. Dog treats should account for 10% of your dog’s total food in weight per day. If you are feeding your dog 800 g. of food a day then the total treats allowed for that day will be 80 g. as a healthy guideline. So, are apples good for dogs? Yes, but keep to a slice or two a day.
How Can Dogs Eat Apples?
Before giving your dog apples, make sure to remove the core and seeds first. According to this petmd.com article, apple seeds contain small traces of cyanide. Although a medium-sized dog would need to eat seeds from about 200 apples to experience cyanide poisoning. That means you should worry more about choking hazard and upset stomach if you feed your dog apples with the core.
You can feed your dog a couple of raw apple slices a day. Peeling them if you want your dog to have an easier time chewing and digesting. The peel is safe for dogs to eat and could be beneficial since it is high in fiber, if your dog can handle it. Although the apple flesh itself already has good amounts of fiber already so the peel is not necessary. You can also cut the slices into little pieces to prevent your dog from choking on them.
There are short recipes in the same article that you can follow to create home-made apple treats like fruit smoothie and doggy ice cream. Keep in mind that puppies won’t enjoy apples as their digestive system is still developing according to this forbes article.
Dogs and Apples of Different Sizes
Apples are great for dogs at a moderate amount, but that is relative to their weight. This is because the sugar content in an apple is high enough that it can cause your pooch to gain weight and develop diabetes if over fed. Small dogs like Chihuahuas or Pomeranians are more vulnerable to this as the third or fourth slice on the same day won’t seem like much to the owner but that is far beyond the daily limit for dogs that small. Remember that treats are supposed to have a limit at 10% of your dog’s daily food allowance per day. Medium and Large dogs will be able to handle more apple slices per day, but eating a whole apple in one day is still not recommended for dogs of these sizes.
With that said, apples are high in vitamin C which is an important antioxidant. It also supports your dog’s immune system by elevating the production of white blood cells that help enhance immune cell functions. Apples are also rich in potassium, which is a primary electrolyte for dogs. That means it helps prevent dehydration. Vitamin A is another nutrient found in apples that is great for your pooch as it assists in maintaining healthy eyes and skin. So, are apples good for dogs that are smaller in size? Yes, just keep to a small slice or two per day at about twice per week.
Can Dogs Eat Apple Products as Well?
Dogs and apples go well together but that doesn’t mean all things made from apples are always good for your dogs. In general, human products have added sugar and more sugar is never good for your dogs. There are also additives like xylitol, which is an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs and can sometimes exist in non-sweetened versions of some human products. It is tempting to share your delicious apple pie with your pooch, but please hold back and only give your dog raw apples or dog-specific products made from apples instead.
Conclusion
Can dogs eat apples? – Yes, they can. One or two slices a day is the maximum amount for medium size dogs. Smaller dogs should have a single slice that is peeled and chopped into small cubes to avoid choking. Larger dogs may enjoy three to four slices a day.
How good are apples for your dog? – Apples are great for dogs in moderation. Don’t make it a habit to feed your dog a whole apple every day or you’ll cause your pooch to gain extra weight and develop other unhealthy conditions like diabetes.
Can dogs eat apples everyday? – It is not recommended to feed your dog apples every day. Limit it to once or twice a week would be best.
What good nutrients in apples that benefit your dog? – Vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium and fiber found in apples are all fantastic nutrients that keep your dog healthy. That means dogs and apples are a great mix, but only at a reasonable amount. Too many apples and it will cause your dear pooch to have problems that you will need to visit your vet later.
References
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-apples/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-apples
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-care/can-dogs-eat-apples/
