Can Dogs Eat Apples? Safe Snacking And Treat For Your Canine

There are some important things to keep in mind while giving apples to your dog. Apples are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and fibre. The fibre in apples may help regulate your dog's digestive tract. As per a study by the American Kennel Club, vitamins A and C support your dog's immune system and organ function. A whole apple has too much sugar for a dog. The best plan is to cut up a small piece of an apple as a snack. 

However, the seeds and stem of an apple contain trace amounts of cyanide, which can be toxic to dogs if eaten in large quantities. So, it's best to core and de-seed apples before giving them to your dog. The flesh of the apple, however, is safe.   

Also, the high fibre content in apples may cause loose stools if your dog eats too many. So, it is better to introduce them slowly. Apples are high in sugar and acid. This could lead to an upset stomach or diarrhea if your dog eats too many.   

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How to Give Apples To Dogs?  

Before giving apples to your dog, there are a few simple steps you should take:  

1. Wash the apple properly under running water. Many apples are sprayed with pesticides to protect them from bugs and other pests.   
2. Remove the stem, seeds, and core. An apple's stem and seeds can be a choking hazard for dogs. The seeds also contain a small amount of cyanide, which is poisonous.  
3. Peel the apple. The skin, while full of nutrients, can be tough on some dogs' digestive systems.  
4. Cut the apple into bite-sized pieces. Tiny pieces for small dogs; larger slices for big dogs. 

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Do Apples Cause Harm To Dogs?  

Even though apples are packed with healthy vitamins, minerals, and fibre that can benefit dogs, there are a few safety precautions to keep in mind when feeding apples to your furry friend. The leaves stems, and seeds of apples contain a natural toxin called amygdalin, which can release cyanide when ingested. Consuming a few apple seeds likely won't cause cyanide poisoning in dogs, since the seeds need to be thoroughly chewed or broken down in the stomach to release the toxin.  

However, apples grown in the wild tend to have a higher amygdalin content in all parts of the fruit, so it's best to avoid wild apples altogether when feeding your dog. According to a study by the U. S. Food & Drug Association, make sure that you are feeding your dog core and seeds of the apple, as swallowing whole apple cores and seeds poses a risk of intestinal obstruction, depending on the size of your dog and the apple parts they consume. 

Apple Recipes for Dogs   

Pumpkin Apple Dog Treats  

Ingredients  

1. 4 cups rolled oats 
2. 1 medium apple, cored and grated 
3. 1 egg 
4. 1 cup canned pumpkin 

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Method  

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  
2. While the oven preheats, take plain oats and grind them into a fine powder.  
3. Grate an apple. Add the grated apple to the bowl with the powdered oats. Open a can of pumpkin puree and measure out the desired amount.   
4. Crack an egg into the bowl as well. Thoroughly combine everything until a thick dough forms.   
5. Knead the dough a few times and shape it into a flattened round about 1/2 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out the desired shapes.   
6. Finally, transfer the unbaked cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 12–15 minutes, just until the edges are golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool completely before giving them to your dog. 

Apple Carrot Dog Treats  

Ingredients  

1. 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour  
2. ½ cup oats  
3. 1 tablespoon brown sugar, optional if your dog doesn’t like sugar  
4. ½ cup apples  
5. 1/2 cup carrots  
6. 1 egg  
7. 1/3 cup vegetable oil  
8. ¼ cup water  

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Method  

1. Core, peel, and grate some apples. Do the same with some carrots; peel them and then grate into small shreds.   
2. In one bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and cinnamon. Whisk these dry ingredients together.  
3. In a separate bowl, beat an egg. Then add in some vegetable oil, water, the grated apples, and the grated carrots. Mix all these wet ingredients together.  
4. Now add the wet ingredient mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir everything together until a dough forms with no dry spots remaining.   
5. On a floured surface, carefully roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a small cookie cutter in a fun shape to cut shapes out of the dough.  
6. Finally, place the shaped dough biscuits on a baking sheet. Bake at 350°F until the biscuits are firm to the touch, 15–20 minutes.   
7. Let it cool before serving the hearty apple and carrot dog biscuits!  

Also read: 5 Interesting Ways Of Eating Apples

Apple Chips For Dogs 

Ingredients  

1. 2 Large Apples  

Image credit: Freepik

Method  

1. Preheat the oven to a low 200 degrees Fahrenheit.  
2. Use an apple corer to remove the core and seeds from the centre of the apples.  
3. Once cored, carefully slice the apples widthwise using a sharp knife. Slicing them very thin is key to achieving a crispy texture.   
4. Arrange the sliced apples in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet or rack.   
5. Place the baking sheet in the preheated 200-degree oven and bake for approximately 2 hours.  
6. After 2 hours, remove from oven and allow to cool completely before enjoying.