We all know the old saying, an apple a day… And while most of us may not eat an apple a day, we probably do snack on them from time to time or on a regular basis.
Red delicious, granny smith, royal gala, honey crisp… never underestimate the power of an apple.
Have you ever wondered, though, when slicing up an apple for yourself, if you should be sharing it with your pup? Can dogs eat apples?
Let’s take a bite!
Can Dogs Eat Apples?
Yes! Apples – any kind – are a nutritious treat to share with your canine companion.
The nutrients vary depending on the kind of apple you’ve got, but all are a rich source of fibre, prebiotics, and vitamins. They’re also about 85% water, so they’re a nice hydrating snack. And they hydrate the body on the cellular level, thanks to the trace minerals, electrolytes, and critical minerals salts.
Apples also feature some pretty nifty phytochemicals and flavonoids that help detox the body of heavy metals.Their anti-inflammatory properties help to nurture the body when inflammation is present, and their anti-microbial properties can help clean the body as they move through the different organ systems. They’re an excellent anti proliferative for animals with SIBO – they help inhibit bacterial cell growth!
And, they’re packed fulled of antioxidants! The most impressive include quercetin, catechin, phloridzin, and chlorogenic acid. Remember, antioxidants fight free radicals – those unstable atoms that can do major damage to cells. If free radicals can cause oxidative stress, which damages your pet’s DNA (and your own), leading to disease. The antioxidants in apples can help keep free radicals balanced in the body.
Additionally, apples are low calorie treats – about 60 calories per apple. This means they’re a great choice if you’re trying to keep your dog at a healthy weight.
You get the most health benefits of apples when you eat them whole, raw, and unpeeled. Juice, cider, and applesauce aren’t as healthy because cooking and processing apples remove valuable nutrients and can leave behind mostly sugar.
A few tips about feeding apples to your dog:
- Try to buy organic apples if you can – apples are a heavily sprayed fruit!
- Wash apples well, either with water, or water and baking soda (you can read more on this here)
- Don’t feed the core/seeds or stem
- If your animal is a gulper, cut the apple up into smaller pieces before feeding
- Feed in moderation
[RELATED] Blueberries are another fruit we love. Here’s why and how to feed them.
A Healthy Apple Treat Recipe
Apples are usually easy to feed – and most dogs love the taste. If I’m eating an apple, ill bite off smaller pieces to share. Or sometimes I’ll cut up some bite-size pieces and mix them in with dinner.
Or sometimes, when I’m feeling fancy, I’ll turn them into tasty treats like this one!
Ingredients:
- 1 apple, chopped into small pieces
- 1 banana, mashed
- 1/4 blueberries
- 1 cup goat’s milk or kefir
Gently fold together all ingredients, pour into an ice cube tray, and freeze. These’ll keep in the freezer (in an airtight container) for 2 weeks. You can also switch up the fruits, or try veggies in there too!
So, can dogs eat apples? You bet they can! Next time you’re slicing up an apple for yourself, be sure to share it with your beloved beast. They’re sure to love the taste and crunch and you’ll feel good knowing they’re getting a healthy snack!
