Can Dogs Eat Apples?

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If you’ve ever wondered if the saying of “an apple a day keeps the doc away” applies to our canine friends, today you’ll get that one answered.

Apples can actually be really healthy for your dog and some like chewing them (although my Rottie would like her apples without skin – she’s a toddler after all).

Benefits of Apples

A quick overview of what’s inside an apple and why you may want your dog to eat them:

  • Low protein
  • Full of antioxidants
  • High on fiber (great for digestion)
  • Vitamin C (can help with degenerative conditions like joint disease)

Does your dog have a soft stool? Feed him apple skin.

Does your dog have a hard stool? For dogs with constipation and a harder stool, the apple skin would be your best bet.

Vitamin C isn’t absolutely necessary if your dog has a balanced diet but it makes for a nice treat nonetheless, right?

How to Serve Apples

You cannot serve your dog a whole apple. The apples should be properly washed, cut into slices, cored and have stem and seeds removed.

The seeds of apples have cyanide in them. A few seeds won’t kill your dog though and the liver will sort the toxic substance out, assuming the lethal threshold has not been reached.

If your dog is not a fan of his greens and fruits, then try this little recipe:

  1. Drizzle a bit of honey over the apple slices
  2. puree them into apple juice (might add other ingredients for a healthy shake)
  3. add cinnamon to the apple juice
  4. store it in the freezer for yummy ice cube treats

Here is an awesome recipe for apple treats I have used plenty of times for my own dog.

Can Dogs Eat Apple Cores?

As I said above, the core and seeds contain hydrogen cyanide which is poisonous to dogs and cats. But despite the myth that they are hazardous to dogs, your dog would have to eat lots and lots of apples to actually get killed by them. So don’t get scared if he accidentally bit into one.

A medium-sized dog would need to eat 85 grams of apple seeds and completely chew them up to get a toxic dose.


To get 85 grams of apple seeds your dog would need to eat around 200 apples which means that before the seeds would become dangerous to your dog, you will have to worry about the high level of sugar.

No dog would willingly eat hat much. Or maybe some would but that’s a debate for another day.

Can Puppies Eat Apples?

Yes, definitely. But you will have to watch your puppy so he doesn’t choke on a big bite. Start with a small piece and gradually increase the amount to see if your dog’s stomach tolerates the food.

How Much Apple Can a Dog Eat?

Although apples are generally healthy, feeding too many causes some issues. The sugar in the apples is critical for dogs with cancer or diabetes. They can also cause diarrhea and nausea when not fed in moderation.

A slice a day won’t harm any dog but if you are concerned, you can always ask your vet any question regarding your dog’s diet. We’re feeding raw with fruits and have seen only positives sides like more energy, a shinier coat, etc.

Can Dogs Eat Apple Cider Vinegar?

Do not feed apple cider vinegar to your dog. The high amount of sodium is very unhealthy and increases the blood pressure.

But do not throw away the idea to use apple cider vinegar on your dog. You have probably heard about the health benefits for humans but they are also amazing for dogs.

Apple cider vinegar is my favorite thing to use on my dog. We mostly use it as flea, tick and mite prevention. Every few months we will wash our dog as usual with her doggy shampoo and we will then pour a 1:1 mixture of water and apple cider vinegar over her body and rub it in.

The smell is not that strong and will go away after a day or two but your dog’s coat will be so soft. Once a week we will spray the same mixture on her coat and let it try. This is our all-time favorite alternative to chemical flea and tick preventions.

We will also occasionally clean our dog’s ear with the vinegar to prevent mite infections. If your dog is currently infected with ear mites, then dip a clean cloth in apple cider vinegar and gently rub it into your dog’s ear twice a day.

Can Dogs Eat Dried Apples?

Yes, your dog can eat dried apples but only in small amounts. The apples have lost their containing water which makes them more potent than fresh apples.

The dog will want to eat more of it but they contain much more sugar than normal apples.

Check the packaging and avoid any added sugars, salt, or flavors. They can be a yummy occasional snack but should not be fed daily. Fresh apples will remain a healthier choice.

Feeding Apples Against Doggy Breath

Apples are actually natural toothbrushes. Chewing on the skin and flesh stimulates the gums which reduces bacteria in your dog’s mouth.

Apples can also remove plaque between teeth, leading to healthier teeth and a better-smelling breath.

Studies on the health benefits of apples for dog teeth found out that they can resolve many mouth problems and can help decrease panting.

Let me know what your experiences with apples are and if you have any secret homemade tip or recipe.

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3 thoughts on “Can Dogs Eat Apples?”

  1. I wanted to make some apple cookies and wasn’t sure if I could share them with my puppy. Now I know how I have to prepare them, thanks!