Can Dogs Eat Apples With Skin?

Apples are a delicious treat for both pet parents and their beloved pups. While dogs may love to crunch on apple slices, it is best to feed apples to your dog in moderation.

Too many apples can cause a dog to get an upset stomach.

While apples are healthy, you may not know which parts are safe for a dog to consume. You want to make sure any apple pieces you are feeding your pup are prepared correctly.

When preparing an apple treat for your dog, you may be wondering if the skin can stay on. Apple skins are innocuous to humans, but this does not necessarily mean they are okay for dogs to eat.

Apples as a Healthy Dog Treat

Apples offer many health benefits to both humans and dogs alike. They make for a tasty and shareable snack for both of you. Apples are packed with prebiotics which helps maintain proper gut health while allowing for smooth digestion.

They can also improve dental health. Crunching on apple slices cleans dogs’ teeth and freshens their breath while providing a tasty snack.

The high fiber content of apples provides necessary dietary fibers that aid in digestive health. Apples are also full of antioxidants, which help the body prevent cell damage. They contain phytonutrients that have anti-inflammatory abilities and boost immune systems.

There is low sodium in apples, making it a safe treat for dogs to watch their sodium intake. While a bit of sodium is necessary for a pup’s health, too much can be dangerous.

Apples also have several vitamins and minerals, including riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B6, vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium.

Apple Skin On or Off?

Keeping the skin on the apple when feeding some to your dog is perfectly fine. The skin should not cause any digestive issues and provides extra benefits for your pup.

This will get rid of most of the dirt, bacteria, and pesticides on the outside of the apple.

Apples are high on the pesticide list of fruits and vegetables. They have a high pesticide residue on their skins.

Washing the apples can remove some pesticide residue but not all of it. If you are worried about pesticides, you can just remove the apple skin. You can also remove the skin to reduce the fiber your dog is consuming.

Other Apple Parts

While the skin can be left on or taken off, other parts of the apple must be removed before feeding the fruit to your dog.

The core and stem of the apple both are a choking hazard for pups. If they are eaten, they can cause digestive issues and intestinal blockages.

Each apple seed contains a small amount of cyanide, and while a few will not do much of anything, you should take them out just to be safe.

The flesh of the apple is perfectly safe. It is best to feed it in smaller pieces to prevent choking, though.

How to Feed Apples to Your Dog

There are many ways you can properly feed apples to your dog. Once you have removed the necessary parts, including the stem, core, and seeds, you can prepare the apple as you see fit.

The Spot and Tango blog has a ton of information about feeding apples to your pup, as you find out here: whatthepup.spotandtango.com/can-dogs-eat-apples/

Raw apples can have the skin left on or taken off. It is best to cut the apple into slices or small chunks before feeding it to your pup. Only feed a few pieces to your dog, or they might get an upset stomach.

You can also bake the apples to give your dog a softer treat. Make sure that you do not add any sugar, oil, butter, or spices.

Applesauce is a great snack for your pup, but it must be unsweetened. If you are buying store-bought, ensure there are no added sugars or spices. You can freeze the applesauce to give your dog a tasty snack on a hot day, as well.

Conclusion

Apple skins pose little to no risks for your dogs when consumed. Leaving them on the apple should not cause any digestive issues.

If you are worried about pesticides or the amount of fiber your dog is consuming, you can always remove the peels. Either way is alright, so make the best choice for your pup.

If you have any concerns about feeding apples to your dogs, check with your vet. They can steer you in the right direction and tell you what to watch for if you feed apples to your dog.

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