Can Dogs Have Apples?

Your dog may beg for some of whatever you’re eating—quietly with just his eyes if he’s been taught not to beg or a full-body “give me some” body wiggle if he just can’t resist—but you can’t give in on everything we eat. Apples, however, are a fine treat to share with your dog, as are many fruits.

Apples are so naturally yummy that they’re often included as an ingredient in commercial dog treats. They’re healthy, too. Apples contain fiber, vitamins A and C, potassium and more nutrients.

How Much Apple Can My Dog Have?

Limit apples to a couple of pieces/slices so you don’t risk digestive upset (maybe a tad more for bigger dogs and a bit less for the littles).

You can give the dogs the apple skin but not the seeds as they contain tiny amounts of cyanide. (Don’t panic if your dog does consume a seed or two because the amount of toxin in an apple seed is small; it’s just best to avoid them.) Don’t feed the apple core either, which could be a choking hazard.

Dogs love red apples, but they can eat green apples, too, like Granny Smiths. Be aware, however, that because green apples are tart, they may not be as well received by your dog as a sweet Red Delicious, for example.

Dogs Can Eat Applesauce

Dogs can eat applesauce, too, but choose unsweetened varieties because dogs don’t need added sugar any more than we do. And, be especially careful to read the entire ingredients list on commercial applesauce to check to be sure the applesauce doesn’t contain xylitol, which is deadly to dogs.  Xylitol may also be listed as birch sugar, wood sugar, and birch-bark extract, according to the Food & Drug Administration.

Interestingly, apple cider vinegar is sometimes added to a dog’s water or food to help digestion and promote beneficial bacteria.