Of Course, A is for Apples!
My Papillon, Kitsune, has always loved snacking on fruits and vegetables. Fenrir has been a different story. He started out being a pretty picky eater. By picky I mean, if it wasn’t his regular food, or chicken, he didn’t want it! We’ve slowly been able to introduce, and get him to eat, different foods. Apples are one of the very few fruits that Fenrir actually seems to enjoy now!
This post is part of our April 2022 Blogging (snacking) from A to Z challenge! Recognize this post? This series was originally posted in April 2016. Because I needed to go back and redo/update these posts anyway, I decided what better time than another April?
Can Dogs Eat Raw Apples?
Many dogs enjoy apples for the same reasons people do. These crispy, sweet treats can be fed simply sliced, chilled, or as an ingredient in homemade treats.
Do keep in mind that apple seeds, however, are toxic. If your dog eats a couple of seeds accidentally, it shouldn’t be a big deal – but you should try to avoid feeding your dog apple cores, seeds, and stems.
Also avoid feeding applies in excess. I remember once, when I was a kid, I took the old adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” seriously. While I didn’t end up having to go to the doctor from eating too many apples, I did end up with some pretty unpleasant stomach symptoms. The same can happen to your dog if you’re not careful. Moderation is key!
What are the Benefits of Feeding Apples?
Apples contain phytonutrients that are thought to help prevent cancer in humans. Other than phytonutrients, apples are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and calcium. They also contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which can help improve your dog’s coat.
Apples are low in calories, making them a good snack choice for dogs who are overweight. Chewing on them may also help to freshen your dog’s breath.
So while your dog doesn’t need, and probably shouldn’t have, an apple a day – apples can be healthy, low calorie snacks for dogs. Just make sure, like with any new treat, that you introduce them to your dog slowly, in small amounts, to avoid stomach upset.
Comment below! If you have a dog, does he/she like apples?
17 Comments
My dogs aren’t a fan of apples, and I always find that funny because, you know, they’ll eat out of the cats’ litter box.
I love Papillons!
lol right? Dogs are pretty gross sometimes. My younger dog is especially picky about food, yet goes nuts for nasty dried up dead fish at the beach. Papillons are awesome. I don’t think I ever want to be without one.
Thanks so much for your comment.
My fluffs enjoy fruits and veggies too, and apples and carrots are by far their fave. They prefer crunchy.
Great to meet you and I’ll be sure to stop by to check out more of your #AtoZBlogging posts. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Kit loves carrots too. Fenrir isn’t as crazy about them. Thanks for stopping by!
Good info on a healthy snack – I have a senior mini schnauzer – may try this for a treat! Good Luck ‘snacking’ your way through the A to Z Challenge
Thank you! Hope your dog enjoys his/her new snacks.
My German Shepherd loved apples! I used to give her the core.
Apple seems to be one of the fruits that a majority of dogs enjoy. My two really like bananas too.
My dogs (a cocker spaniel and a moodle) love apples! I split the core in two and take out as many of the seeds as I can 🙂
My family had a cocker spaniel when I was a kid – they are fun dogs. Barnaby, my rabbit, usually gets my apple cores after I remove the seeds. The pups are spoiled and normally get pieces I cut for myself. Thanks so much for stopping by!
My Rottweilers love apples, bananas and most veggies. They like to try new things all the time. (Of course, that includes pigeons and rats they catch themselves…)
Good luck with the rest of the challenge.
I’m glad my two have, so far, been unsuccessful catching any snacks for themselves. Kitsune, I think, would most likely try to snuggle with pigeons and rats rather than eat them – not Fenrir though. Thanks for your comment!
Oh Dakota loses his mind with apples!!! He LOVES them! He knows when my husband is taking one out of the fridge and will bark til he shares. Thanks for mentioning the core and seeds are poisonous!!!!! DakotasDen
Mine used to be, but lately he’s turning his nose up. He’s not a big fan of eating at all.
My Fenrir can be like that too. He’s so funny. Sometimes he’ll beg for a food and seem to really enjoy it, and other times I can offer the same thing and he’ll just look at it and walk away. Silly pups!
We do not have a dog, we have kitties, but my parents used to have dogs, neither of them used to eat apples though. Not something I had ever considered a dog would like – good to know for future doggos. The only sweet thing my parent’s first dog Barnabus used to like was chocolate (this was before they realised chocolate was so very bad for them). He was most upset when he wasn’t allowed it anymore after the research came out. Nemo, their last dog, sounds like Fenrir, in that if it wasn’t his own food he wasn’t overly interested.
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings: YouTube – What They Don’t Tell You (and free fiction)
There are lots of healthy “human” foods that can make good snacks for dogs! Surprising to a lot of people, but it doesn’t seem super unusual for dogs to have a sweet tooth and enjoy things like fruits. Aw I love the name Barnabus. I had a house rabbit with that name, we called him Barnaby most of the time. Thanks for your comment!