I own a very curious dog that hesitates not in trying new things. Whether it’s a game, food, or just something laid on the floor, my furry companion likes to chew stuff, sometimes even swallow them.
Lately, I brought a bag of Apples home with me, and for my wonderful, I found Bucky chewing on one just when I came out of the shower! I run to the laptop and instantly googled Can Dogs Eat Apples? But I got more confused! There is no clear answer out there. So Exactly like Isaac Neoten, I got the inspiration from an Apple Lol, and I decided to carry out my own search to see whether Can Dogs Eat Apples?
Table of Contents
Apples as a Fruit
Delicious and crunchy, apple fruit is one of the favorite fruits for both humans and dogs. However, does the old saying: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” applicable for dogs as well or not?
well, first we need to know what Apple’s components are!
Nutritional components of Apples and their values
Nutritional | value per 100 g |
Energy | 218 kJ (52 kcal) |
Carbohydrates | 13.81 g |
Sugars | 10.39 g |
Dietary fiber | 2.4 g |
Fat | 0.17 g |
Protein | 0.26 g |
Vitamin A equiv. | (0%) 3 μg |
beta-carotene | (0%) 27 μg |
lutein zeaxanthin | 29 μg |
Thiamine (B1) | (1%) 0.017 mg |
Riboflavin (B2) | (2%) 0.026 mg |
Niacin (B3) | (1%) 0.091 mg |
Pantothenic acid (B5) | (1%) 0.061 mg |
Vitamin B6 | (3%) 0.041 mg |
Vitamin C | (6%) 4.6 mg |
Calcium | (1%) 6 mg |
Iron | (1%) 0.12 mg |
Magnesium | (1%) 5 mg |
Manganese | (2%) 0.035 mg |
Phosphorus | (2%) 11 mg |
Potassium | (2%) 107 mg |
Sodium | (0%) 1 mg |
Zinc | (0%) 0.04 mg |
Water | 85.56 g |
Fluoride | 3.3 µg |
So, In the case of Can Dogs Eat Apples? Yes, they are safe to be eaten by our Fuzzy Fluffy companions but with caution!
Benefits of Apples to Dogs
Now, Apples are a big deal yes, but, how do the previous elements help my dog or puppy?
Apples are a good source of energy, 218 kJ (52 kcal) per 100 g.which is a fine deal for your dog.
Pet’s actual needs may actually be anywhere between 860 kcal/day and 1,290 kcal/day. – petmd.com
Carbohydrates Provide Energy since dogs have the ability to transform them into simple sugars i.e. glucose molecules which are used to provide energy in almost every major activity your dog does. In addition, Apples contain a variety of Sugars, so, they are regarded as a multi energetic food. Dietary Fiber comes in two types;
- Soluble fiber is a fiber that dissolves in water to form a gel material. It can help lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels.
- Insoluble fiber promotes the movement of material through your digestive system.
When it comes to Fat, a high-fat food for your dog is good.
Fats are a concentrated form of energy that give your dog more than twice the amount of energy as carbohydrates and proteins do. Fats used in dog foods are highly digestible and are the first nutrients to be used by the body as energy, ahead of protein and carbohydrates.- Webmd.com
However, it is beneficial sometimes to stay away from fats in order to give your dog’s digestive system a time to rest and refresh.
The list is rather long and it needs forever to state all the goods of Apples, but we tried to gather the most essentials in the following for you:
- It prevents joint and bone diseases.
- Improves their gastrointestinal system.
- Dogs can acquire cancer and apples help fight the free radicals because it contains vitamins A, B, and C.
- great for cleaning off your dog’s teeth, so you can assure them have fresh breath. According to watertowerdentalcare.com :
- The essential fatty acids such as Omega-3 and Omega-6 help enhance the quality of your dog’s skin, keep their skin strong, and prevent skin allergies.
- Because apples are rich in dietary fibers, it helps improve your dog’s bowel movement.
- Vitamins A and C and antioxidants, it helps prevent various illnesses as they grow old. Some experts believe that these vitamins can help with Hip Dysplasia.
So typically, apples are very safe for dogs. Not only do they get to benefit from its various vitamins and minerals, but the process of eating apples itself is beneficial for them too, as it helps them clean their teeth, get rid of bad breath and promote their bowel movement.
After answering Can Dogs Eat Apples? You can make Apples a regular part of their dietary meal, but make sure to feed apples to your dog moderately. With all these nutritional benefits, surely dog owners will love apples as well!
However, Despite the multiple health benefits of apples, there are some limitations to remember!
- While it is good for your fuzzy buddy to have some apples, make sure that the apple is seedless because apples’ seeds are toxic because of the compound called Amygdalin which is a type of Cyanide, that is lethal poisonous element that can kill your pup or even full-grown dog. a Moderate amount of fresh apple is safe for your dog, but be cautious with the seeds. The dog’s body will be able to detoxify itself if it swallows a few seeds, so you don’t need to worry about a few.
- Dogs with diabetes can have problems with Apples. As we stated earlier, apples contain a variety of sugars all of which can raise your dog’s sugar level which is extremely bad for it. So, Dogs with Diabetes, stay away from Apples.
- Can dogs eat Apples?, they can However, don’t forget that dogs are carnivores. i.e. they need meat as their primary meal, so you can not go around switching their diet with one consisting of fruits or Apples only!
Although we affirmed whether Can Dogs Eat Apples, It is highly recommended to consult with your vet for safely adding apples, to your dog’s daily diet. Test to see if they have any allergies, diabetes, or any condition that can prevent them from having apples as a treat!
As usual, the family of rollpet.com hopes that you find the article useful and interesting, please don’t forget to SHARE IT with your friends and you are free to leave comments below about any concerns you might have about your pet, we will be delighted to answer them all.