Most dog owners like giving their pet apples as a treat and many dogs enjoy it.
Apples are among those human foods that dogs can safely eat as long as they are served in the right way-meaning the seeds are removed and the fruit is sliced to prevent them from choking. So if you are asking if it is safe to give apples to dogs, the answer is yes.
Dogs can eat apples.
Apples are generally harmless to dog but there are a few things that dog owners should be cautious about aside from the seeds. Apple seeds contain a type of cyanide known as amygdlin which is found to be very poisonous to humans and animals.
Cyanide can prevent the blood from carrying oxygen in the body.
If your dog swallows a few apple seeds, the body would detoxify itself. Actually, dogs need to ingest a huge amount of apples seeds for a major damage to occur. In addition, the cyanide is within the covering of the seed and as long as it is not broken, it will pass through the system of your dog intact.
But to be safe, better remove the core of the apples before giving it to your dog. Cut them into bite-size pieces so it would be easy for your dog to eat them.
Apples are an excellent source of vitamin C and dietary fiber. This fruit is also low in sodium and saturated fat.
Vitamin C is believed to help in hip dysplasia which is a common ailment in large and purebred dogs. Saturated fats can contribute to heart problems. Apples also have omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that are known to contribute to a glossy, healthy coat and at the same time control skin allergies.
On the downside, most of the calories in apples are coming from naturally occurring sugar that may contribute to weight gain when given in huge amounts. Apples also contain phosphorus and calcium which make them not suitable for dogs with kidney problems.
Too much phosphorus and calcium in the kidney indicate kidney stones as well as early to end stage kidney disease.
You may also have to be cautions of omega-6 fatty acids as they can cause inflammation that is not good for arthritic dogs. They are also not good for dogs suffering from kidney disease.
The fruit itself does not have that much omega-6 but if your dog acquires it from other sources, then that can be a problem.
Eating too much apples can loosen the bowels of your dog and of course you do not want that. How much is too much will depend on your dog so make sure to show some caution.
Do not fear of giving apples as a treat for your dog.
Just remember to remove the core to get rid of those poisonous seeds. Keep the portions to give them as a reasonable size and your dog will be happier, free from any disease.