When a dog takes a bite of an apple then it makes a satisfying sound and it enjoys a lot of liquid inside apples. Apples are packed full of important nutrients that are good for the health of dogs. They are very popular and dog owners can choses them easily because they are healthy and tasty. In this article you will find everything you need to get familiar with about feeding apples to your dog. There are many interesting facts about vitamin A, vitamin C and fibers in apples for dogs. We will surely discuss them, so be patient and read the entire article to find your answers.
Can Dogs Eat Apples? – Delicious, Nutritious & Refreshing
Dr. Cindy Zhang is a qualified veterinarian who works at Small Door Veterinary located in the Northeast region in the United States. She has suggested that Apples are a healthy treat which contain vitamin A, vitamin C and fiber. But pet owners must serve them in moderation and 2 to 3 small slices or 3 to 4 small chunks of apple is a safe amount for dogs. We can use apples in many recipes like in applesauce, pies and sometimes mixed with meat. All these ingredients make a flexible and useful treat for dogs and taste great for them. Many times we mash apples into applesauce which turns into a smooth and sweet treat for dogs. In order to cook apples with meat for dogs, we chop the apples into a juice blender and cook them in a pan on medium heat. Once the apples become soft, then you can include meat and cook them which lets the flavors blend. Once the recipe cools down, you may serve it as a tasty and healthy treat for your furry friend.
Dr. Rebecca Greenstein is a veterinary medical advisor and opts a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. She is currently working for Rover which is an on-demand pet services app that mainly connects pet owners with medical care for dogs. Rover is a mobile based application that allows people to find and book trusted caregivers for their pets. Dr. Rebecca Greenstein has recommended apples for dogs because they are an excellent source of antioxidants. You need to follow some safety precautions to make sure that apples are administered to your dog in a safe and healthy way. Veterinarians advise us to cut apples into small and manageable chunks so that our dogs can easily chew and swallow them. Black seeds inside the apples are inedible parts and you should take them out before giving apples to the dogs.
Note: Do not administer an excessive amount of apples to your dogs to prevent overloading them with sugar. Always serve the amount of slices according to the advice of Dr. Cindy Zhang mentioned in the article.
Now let’s discuss the health benefits of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Fibers for dogs briefly.
Apple Nutritional Benefits For Dogs:
Following are the health benefits of apples for dogs:
1. Vitamin A:
Dogs perform the following activities in their lives such as:
- Playing fetch
- Going for walks
- Running in the yard
- Chewing toys
- Cuddling with owners
- Learning tricks
- Participating in agility training
- Barking or alerting to sounds
- Exploring new places
- Socializing with other dogs
It is important to feed your dog with apples as an additional snack daily in the diet which fulfills its need of Vitamin A. The biological cells present in a dog’s body need Vitamin A to perform their jobs such as build and repair tissues. Carbohydrates provide energy to the cells and vitamins help protect them from damage.Vitamin A and calcium are important for your dog’s bones. Without vitamin A, cells cannot function well and this can make your dog sick and tired. Therefore apples are a rich source of Vitamin A for dogs to help their cells strong and keep the whole body healthy. Vitamin A present in apples supports healthy skin, eyes and immune system of dogs
2. Vitamin C
Cells need Vitamin C in building and repairing tissues that prevent the organs such as brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys from becoming weak. While a dog plays rough, running and jumping and getting into fights with other animals. In all other situations such as getting into fights with other animals and stepping on sharp objects, dogs get injured. In all these emergency situations, dogs need medical care and proper food and apples are helpful in repairing the damaged tissues. Without vitamin C, cells may not repair and organs of dogs become weak. Vitamin C which is present in the beef, pork, lamb and chicken’s liver keeps the cells and organs of the dog in a good shape.
3. Fibers
You may have seen that dogs sometimes eat garbage inside dumpsters and trash cans which causes diarrhea and constipation. This happens mainly when a dog owner forgets to check on their dogs. However, while suffering from digestive issues, they require medicines and fibers and apples are the best choice in this case. Fibers present in the apples add bulk to their stool and promote regular bowel movements that support the overall gut health. Fibers also prevents obesity in your dog and also protects it from diabetes and high cholesterol. You should note the figures of ideal weight for various types of dogs:
Labrador Retriever: Ideal weight is typically between 25 to 36 kg.
German Shepherd: Ideal weight is generally between 30 to 40 kg.
Great Dane: Ideal weight can range from 50 to 90 kg.
Other Nutritious Fruits for Dogs:
You can mash the following fruits and vegetables which makes it easier for the dogs to digest:
- Carrots (Vitamin A, C, and Fiber)
- Sweet Potatoes (Vitamin A, C, and Fiber)
- Pumpkin (Vitamin A, C, and Fiber)
- Apples (Vitamin C and Fiber)
- Blueberries (Vitamin C and Fiber)
- Peaches (Vitamin C and Fiber)
- Pears (Vitamin C and Fiber)
Note: You must avoid adding salts, spices and seasonings in dog foods because they can disturb the digestive system with symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
How Many Apple Slices Can My Dog Have?
Here are suggested amounts of apple slices for different types of dogs:
- Small dogs: 1-2 thin slices (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick) or 1-2 small chunks.
- Medium dogs: 2-4 thin slices or about 3-4 small chunks.
- Large dogs: 4-6 thin slices or about 5-6 small chunks.
Conclusion:
In summary, Can dogs have apples? is a widely asked question by many pet owners and the answer is Yes, apples are an excellent choice for them. They contain important vitamins A, C and fibers that resolve the issues of the digestive system, strengthen the bones and repair the tissues. Dr. Cindy Zhang and Dr. Rebecca Greenstein are the qualified vets with immense experience in dog’s health. They suggest that you must feed apples not more than 3 slices that helps in recovery of the dogs from injuries and muscle sprains.
