Can dogs eat apples?

Crisp, sweet and found in fruit bowls across the country, apples are a firm household favourite. They’re easy to grab when you need a quick snack, sturdy enough to survive a trip in a lunchbox and, with a little cinnamon and pastry, capable of becoming something really rather delicious...

So, naturally, our dogs are usually interested too.

But here's the thing... can dogs eat apples?

Yes, dogs can eat apples, and this fibre packed fruit can make a tasty, nutritious treat when served in just the right amount for your dog. 

That doesn’t mean you should roll a whole Granny Smith across the kitchen and let your pooch work out the rest. Different parts of an apple bring different considerations, particularly the core and seeds, and a little preparation goes a long way.

So, let’s take a closer look at the benefits of apples for dogs, how much they can eat and the best way to serve them safely.

Apples are naturally rich in fibre, water and a range of vitamins and antioxidants all great for your dog, making them a nutritious little extra for dogs who enjoy their sweet flavour and crunchy texture.

They’re also relatively low in calories compared with many dog treats you find on the supermarket shelved. So, if your pup could do with cutting back on richer snacks, a few pieces of apple may hit the spot without adding quite as much to their daily calorie intake.

Some of the nutritional goodies found in apples include:

• Dietary fibre, which contributes to normal digestive function

• Vitamin A, which plays a role in healthy vision, skin and immune function

• Vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps protect the body’s cells

• Water, which gives fresh apple its juicy crunch

• Plant based antioxidants, including naturally occurring polyphenols

Of course, apples shouldn’t be relied on as a major source of any particular nutrient for your pup. If your dog eats a complete and balanced food, their everyday meals should already provide all the vitamins and minerals they need.

Instead, think of an apple as a tasty way to add a little wholefood variety to their treats. Nutritious? Yes. About to replace their usual dinner? Absolutely not.

As lovely as apples are, this isn’t a case of one apple a day keeps the vet away.

Apples contain natural sugar and a good amount of fibre. Both are perfectly fine in sensible quantities, but too much may leave your dog with wind, loose stools or an upset tummy.

There simply isn’t one serving size that will suit every dog. The right amount will depend on their size, weight, health, activity level and what else they’ve eaten that day.

For a small dog, begin with one or two little cubes. A medium-sized dog may enjoy a few small pieces, while a larger dog can usually manage a few thin slices. These are starting points rather than daily targets, so it’s worth seeing how your own dog responds.

If apple is completely new to them, offer one small piece first. This gives their digestion a chance to get used to it and, perhaps more importantly, lets you find out whether they actually like it.

Treats and extras should generally make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories, with the remaining 90% coming from a complete and balanced diet.

And remember, all those little extras count. The training treats, the post walk biscuit and the bit of toast passed under the breakfast table all belong in the same 10%.

Start by washing the fruit thoroughly. Remove the stem, core and visible seeds, then cut the flesh into pieces that suit your dog’s size, after all, a Chihuahua and a Great Dane will need rather different definitions of bite-sized.

Apple for your dog is best served:

• Fresh and thoroughly washed

• With the stem, core and seeds removed

• Cut into small, manageable pieces

• Plain, without sugar or seasoning

• In a portion that suits your dog

You can give them apple pieces as an occasional snack, use smaller cubes as training rewards or grate a little over your dog’s normal dinner. Chilled pieces can also make a refreshing warm weather treat, perfect for this time of year!

Some dogs enjoy apple with a little peanut butter. If you try this, always check that the peanut butter is free from xylitol, as xylitol is highly toxic to dogs. Peanut butter is also high in fat and calories, so a light smear will do nicely.

Yes, dogs can eat apple skin.

In fact, much of an apple’s fibre can be found within or just beneath the peel, so there’s no need to remove it for most healthy dogs. Simply give the fruit a good wash before serving.

That said, apple skin can be harder for some dogs to digest. If your pooch has a sensitive stomach, peeling the apple may make it a little easier on their tummy.

The same may apply to young puppies, senior dogs and dogs with dental problems. There’s no downside to taking the skin off if your dog finds peeled apple easier to eat.

Apple seeds are where this seemingly innocent fruit earns a slightly more complicated reputation.

That’s because they contain amygdalin, a naturally occurring compound that can release cyanide when the seeds are chewed and digested.

Before you start worrying about the single seed that may have escaped your chopping board last Tuesday, the amount eaten matters enormously.

One or two apple seeds are very unlikely to harm your dog. They would need to chew and consume a considerable quantity for acute cyanide poisoning to become a realistic concern.

So, while apple seeds shouldn’t become a regular feature in your dog’s bowl, accidentally swallowing one or two is unlikely to cause a problem.

The seeds offer no real nutritional benefit, though, and are easy enough to remove. For that reason, it’s still best to take them out before handing the apple over to your pup to munch.

If your dog has eaten a large quantity of chewed seeds, helped themselves to several whole apples or begins acting unwell, contact your vet for advice.

Apple core is actually likely to pose a more immediate risk than one or two missed seeds.

Apple cores are tough, fibrous and difficult to chew. If swallowed in a large piece, the core could become lodged in your dog’s throat or cause an intestinal blockage.

This risk is particularly relevant for smaller dogs, including breeds such as Chihuahuas, Dachshunds and Shih Tzus, because the core is much larger in relation to their throat and digestive tract.

However, larger dogs aren’t completely off the hook. Dogs of all sizes can be enthusiastic eaters, and some are more likely to swallow food whole rather than taking the time to chew it properly.

For this reason, it’s best to remove the entire core and stem before cutting apple for your dog. They’ll still get plenty of fibre, flavour and crunch from the flesh and skin without them.

If your dog manages to sneak an apple core (they are sneaky sneak after all!), try to work out how much they swallowed, whether they chewed it and how long ago it happened.

A small, well chewed piece may pass without causing a problem, particularly in a larger dog. However, it’s still sensible to contact your vet for advice, especially if your dog is small or swallowed the core whole.

Contact your vet if:

• Your dog swallowed an apple core whole

• They ate several cores or whole apples

• You don’t know how much they swallowed

• They begin coughing, choking or struggling to breathe

• They vomit repeatedly

• Their stomach appears swollen or painful

• They become unusually tired

• They lose their appetite

• They struggle to pass stools

If your dog is choking or having difficulty breathing, treat it as an emergency.

Never try to make your dog sick unless your vet specifically tells you to. 

Yes, puppies can eat apples once they’re happily eating solid food.

As with adult dogs, the apple should be washed and the core, stem and seeds removed. Cut the flesh into very small pieces and supervise your puppy while they eat.

Begin with just one piece, especially if apple is completely new to them. Puppies can have sensitive digestive systems, and introducing too much fruit in one go may lead to loose stools or an upset tummy.

It’s also a good idea to introduce new foods one at a time. If your puppy tries apple, banana, peanut butter and three different treats in one afternoon before developing an upset stomach, working out which one caused it becomes more than a little tricky.

Apple should remain an occasional extra rather than replacing complete puppy food. Puppies have very specific nutritional requirements while they grow, so the main part of their diet needs to be properly balanced for this important life stage.

Red, green and cooking apples are all generally safe for dogs once the core, stem and seeds have been removed.

Green apples tend to have a sharper, more acidic flavour than sweeter red varieties. Some dogs will happily crunch through them, while others may be less impressed by their tartness.

The extra acidity may also disagree with dogs who have particularly sensitive stomachs, so start with a small piece and see how your dog responds.

Cooking apples can be offered raw in small amounts or cooked until soft. If you cook them, leave out the sugar, butter and spices usually added to recipes for people.

Whatever variety you choose, avoid letting your dog eat rotten or fermenting apples that have fallen from a tree. Windfall fruit (fruit that’s fallen off a tree because of the weather) can develop mould or begin to ferment, so it’s worth clearing it regularly if your dog treats the garden as a self service snack bar.

Plain cooked apple is generally safe for dogs.

Cooking softens the fruit, which can make it easier for puppies, senior dogs or dogs with dental problems to eat. Remove the core and seeds first, then cook the apple without sugar, butter, syrup or spices.

Allow it to cool completely before serving a small amount.

Problems tend to arise when apple is cooked as part of a recipe made for people. Stewed apples, pies and crumbles may contain large quantities of sugar and fat, alongside ingredients that aren’t suitable for dogs.

So, plain cooked apple gets the green light. Your gran’s apple crumble recipe probably doesn’t.

Apple can bring fibre, moisture and a little extra wholefood variety to your dog’s treats. But, like any individual fruit or vegetable, it can’t provide everything your dog needs on its own.

A complete dog food needs the right balance of protein, fats, vitamins and minerals, with every ingredient working as part of the wider recipe.

Years meals bring together 60% named cuts of meat, including chicken thigh, pork shoulder and forequarter steak, with wholefood fruit and vegetables, natural oils and the precise nutrients dogs need.

Each recipe is formulated with a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist and sealed inside its tray before being gently steam cooked. This keeps the natural moisture, nutrients and meat juices inside the meal rather than losing them during cooking.

Your dog’s portions are also personalised around their breed, age, weight, activity, body condition and lifestyle. So, while the occasional piece of apple can bring something different to treat time, their main meals continue to provide complete nutrition made specifically around them.