Can dogs and cats eat apples?

29 May 2023
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding your pet’s care, treatment, or medical conditions.

Can dogs eat apples?

Dogs are known to have a varied diet and can consume many types of fruits and vegetables, including apples. Apples are a great source of vitamins such as vitamins C and A, which help in boosting the immune system of dogs. They also contain dietary fibre, which aids digestion.

Apples are low in fat and calories, making them an ideal treat for dogs that need to lose weight or maintain their weight. It is safe for dogs to eat apples as long as they do not consume the seeds since they contain cyanide that can be harmful to your furry friend's health.

Additionally, feeding your dog apple slices can assist with removing plaque buildup on teeth since it contains malic acid - this helps reduce tartar build-up over time.

It’s important not to overfeed your dog apples since too much fruit intake may lead to stomach upsets or diarrhoea; moderation should always be practised when introducing new foods into their diets. In summary, it is safe for dogs to eat apples when given in small amounts without the seeds; furthermore, eating sliced apple treats comes with multiple nutritional benefits that will surely boost your pet's well-being!

Can cats eat apples?

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they require a diet high in protein and fat to maintain their health. However, it is safe for cats to eat certain fruits like apples as an occasional treat or supplement to their regular diet. Apples contain vitamin C, fibre and antioxidants that can provide some benefits for cats.

Moderation is the key when it comes to feeding apples to cats. While small amounts of apples can be beneficial, excessive consumption may lead to digestive problems such as diarrhoea or upset stomachs due to the high sugar content of this fruit. It's important not to feed your cat too many apples at once or include them regularly in their meals since they do not provide all the essential nutrients that a cat needs.

Additionally, it's vital only ever give your cat fresh apples rather than canned ones with added sugars and preservatives that could harm your pet’s health over time. Also, make sure you remove any seeds from the apple before offering them because they contain trace amounts of cyanide which are toxic if ingested in large quantities.

Overall, while cats shouldn't rely on fruits as major sources of nutrition within their diets, moderate consumption of healthy fruit options like apples can offer benefits‌ ‌as long as you take precautions by ensuring moderation and removing any potentially harmful parts first.

Information purposes only

The suggestions offered here are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for pet-specific advice from your veterinarian. Never disregard your vet’s recommendations, or delay in acting on them, based on something you have read on this site. Regardless of how a food is rated here, any food that you give your pet can pose potential health risks, including allergic reactions, choking, or other health conditions such as bloat. Always monitor your pet while they’re eating, and never introduce a new food into your pet’s diet without first consulting your veterinarian. 

Pet poison emergency protocol

If your pet is acting sick, call your regular veterinarian immediately. If your regular veterinarian is closed, call a nearby on-call veterinarian, animal urgent care, or veterinary emergency hospital. If your pet is not acting sick but you think they may have been exposed to a poison, call the Animal Poison Line (01202 50 9000).

Food safety statuses

Safe

Could be given almost daily without harm

Safe in moderation

Not toxic, but should not be given regularly

Unsafe

Toxic or simply too risky to give to your pet