Many fruits are healthy snacks for our canine friends. But when it comes to our dogs enjoying these goodies, certain parts of the fruit can be toxic. It seems that there is some confusion about the apples and what part the dogs can eat. They say that one apple a day keeps the doctor away, but the same goes for our dogs?
Absolutely. Dogs can eat apples, with peels included. However, you are not completely out of danger. Let’s discuss what the benefits and risks are when it comes to the whole apple.
Dogs love apples
You can find that apples are a real success with your canine. Most dogs appreciate the sweet flavour and pleasant crispiness that accompanies the apple snack. It’s a marvellous thing too. Apples are full of nutrients and powerful benefits for your four-legged friend.
Types of apples
There are several types of apples and your dog may prefer some flavours to others. They are more inclined to like sweeter than sour varieties, since dogs don’t like bitter flavours so much.
Some sweet and delicious apple options are:
Honeycrisp
Gala
Golden Delicious
Jonagold
Red Delicious
Sweetie
Ambrosia
Fuji
Health benefits of apples
Apples have a wide variety of health benefits, flavours and textures. You can even have this snack with your dog because sharing is caring! Apples have many healthy qualities for dogs and humans.
Apples are:
Loaded with Natural Prebiotics – Prebiotics help your dog with intestinal health, aiding in gentle digestion.
Excellent for oral health – apples clean your teeth and refresh your breath, allowing your dog to give you kisses that do not smell like death.
Rich in dietary fibre – fibre is another digestive property. With regular apple snacks, your dog can stay regular when it comes to potty time.
Packed with Antioxidants – Antioxidants are free radicals that help the body, preventing damage to cells. They have so-called phytonutrients, which have anti-inflammatory properties and stimulate the immune system.
Low sodium – although sodium is a necessary ingredient for your dog to develop, it is very not good. Apples don’t have much, so you don’t have to worry about risks.
Rich in vitamins and minerals – apples contain riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B6, vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, phosphorus and calcium.
Risks of Dog Eating Apples
Even if apple peels are good for your dog to eat, there are some precautions you can take.
Pesticides
Often, the outside of apples is treated with pesticides to prevent insects from eating the shell. Apples are at the top of the pesticide list, ranking Number 4 in a list of fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residue.
Washing the apple may remove a good part of these chemicals, but it may not be enough for some. Because of the harmful possibilities, many dog owners feel more comfortable peeling the apple before offering it to their mongrel.
Seeds
No matter if you choose to feed your dog with the peel of an apple, you will always want to remove the core. Apple kernels alone are a risk of choking, but seeds are also harmful – especially if your dog has many.
Apple seeds release small amounts of cyanide when they break with chewing. Therefore, if your dog is chewing a seed, the cyanide will be released into your system. Although some don’t do much harm, it’s always better to remove them for the case.
The importance of organic fruit
Choosing organic fruits reduces many potential risks when it comes to dogs that eat apples. The main reason is that organic fruit does not have the same harmful chemical sprays that many peels harbour. So, if you’re worried about the shell, buy organic!
Apples and allergies to dogs
A less known advantage of apples is in a component called Quercetin. Also known as nature’s Benadryl, this compound in apples can reduce allergies.
Quercetin can turn off histamine and suppress inflammation. Therefore, if your dog has a tendency to scratch and scratch, it’s something you can try. What can hurt?
Dogs and apple peels: final considerations
So now you know that apple peels are perfectly acceptable to your canine godfather. Always remember to wash and lump the apple before giving it to your dog. If you are still doubtful about the shells because of potential pesticides, you can always peel them or buy organic.
In any case, apples are an excellent natural snack that every dog should eat from time to time.