Can dogs and cats eat apples?

Apples are considered one of the safe fruits to feed to dogs and cats. There are a couple of things we need to consider when feeding apples, for example how much to feed and how to prepare the apples. We will go through each point individually so you feel confident to safely feed apples to your cat or dog. Are apples good for dogs? Apples are a crunchy and tasty treat that almost all dogs will enjoy. There are many varieties of apples, and each brings a unique flavour, so you may find your dog has a preference amongst the different apple types. Apples are a natural source of fibre, which aids in digestive health, boosts your dog's natural microbiome and helps stool formation. Apples are a source of antioxidants which help with many functions in the body, such as brain health and reducing inflammatory signals in the body. This is helpful for older dogs who may have chronic health issues. How should I prepare apples for my dogs? You can feed apples raw, cooked or baked. Wash the apple well, remove the core and seeds and cut into bite size pieces. The smaller the portion size the better to ensure your dog can safely eat the apple. Do not give your dog a whole apple to chew on, as this is a choking hazard. How many apples can I give my dog? Apples should be fed as a treat, around ¼ of an apple a day would be a veterinary recommendation, regardless of the size of your dog. Too much apple can lead to tummy upset, so a small snack a few times a week would be the best way to feed. Can my dog eat apple skin? Yes dogs can eat apple skin, but they may not want to! It's not as tasty as the flesh of the apple. Wash the apple before feeding, removing the core and seeds. Be sure to chop or slice the apple into bite size pieces to avoid risks of choking or gastrointestinal upset. As with everything in life, moderation is key, so feed small amounts of apples with the skin on per day. Can my dog eat apple cores? No. Apple cores are tough to chew and difficult to digest. There is a risk of the apple core becoming stuck in the oesophagus, stomach or gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to a medical emergency. Apple cores contain a small amount of a compound which when chewed turns into cyanide, which is toxic to dogs. The good news is that toxicity from eating apple cores is very rare as a large amount would need to be eaten to reach toxic levels. Can my dog eat apple seeds? Do not feed apple seeds to dogs. They have no nutritional value, and contain trace amounts of cyanide. If your dog accidentally eats a few apple seeds, don't panic! The amount of cyanide in the seeds is low and unlikely to cause problems if only a few have been eaten. Are apple seeds toxic to dogs? Technically, yes. In reality your dog would have to eat such a large amount of apple seeds, (which are not the tastiest part of the apple if we are honest) to cause toxicity, so the risks are very low. You should still avoid feeding apple seeds, but don't stress if you accidentally feed your dog one or two seeds. What if my dog eats too many apples? If your dog enjoys apples, they can overindulge. The sugar and acidity of the apple can lead to a stomach upset. Signs you may see include vomiting , lethargy and diarrhoea. These signs typically resolve without medical treatment. What if my dog eats apple seeds or the core? As long as your dog is not actively choking, it's safe to monitor your dog at home. They may get some mild side effects such as loose stools. If mild you can manage this at home, but if persistent for more than two to three days, a vet check would be the best course of action to make sure there is nothing more concerning going on. Can my dog drink apple juice? As a vet, I would not let my dog drink apple juice. It’s acidic, concentrated in sugars and lacks the benefits of fibre and antioxidants an apple would have. Feed them a few apple slice instead! Can my dog eat apple sauce? Apple sauce is a good meal topper to add variety and flavour to your dog's normal diet. Feed roughly ½ -one teaspoon of plain home cooked apple sauce with no additives or xylitol depending on the size of your dog. Yes, cats can eat apples. It must be said though, not many cats are partial to apples so you may find even if you offer a little apple treat, they may not be that interested. When feeding apples, wash and dry, then cut into small pieces or mash to add to their normal food to add variety and texture. Do not feed the core or seeds as these are a choking hazard and contain small amounts of cyanide, which can lead to intestinal irritation. Cats can eat cooked, raw or stewed apples in small amounts at a time. Cats can eat apples with or without the skin attached, but will probably prefer their apple without the skin which lacks the same sweet taste of the body of the apple. Do not let your cat drink apple juice, as the acidity can lead to upset of the microflora in your cat's intestines which can lead to diarrhoea . If your cat will eat apples, they too can benefit from the antioxidants, fibre and microbiome enhancing properties apples bring. They should be fed small amounts, around an eighth of an apple at one time is the maximum safe amount to feed to your cat.

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