Dogs are one of the most favored pets by animal lovers because they are loyal, obedient, naturally optimistic, lively, and cute. People are becoming increasingly dependent on pets, thus the care for pet dogs has become very meticulous. Some owners worry about their dogs’ poor nutrition and therefore consider feeding them some fruits, with apples often being the top choice. So, can dogs eat apples?

Apples are a popular low-calorie fruit, and we often hear people say “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” This shows apples have high nutritional value. Indeed, apples contain rich vitamins, proteins, trace elements, and more. They also contain apple polyphenols, which animals easily absorb. Their important function is antioxidant activity. Dogs regularly eating apples can also prevent hypertension and enhance anti-allergy effects. Most importantly, apples are a warm-natured fruit with a pleasant taste, and dogs won’t get diarrhea from eating them.

Apples also contain pectin, a dietary fiber that aids digestion and effectively reduces harmful bacteria in the intestines. So, if a dog has stomach or digestive issues or has an upset stomach, you can steam an apple for it; this not only helps stop diarrhea but also repairs the intestinal flora. Moreover, apples contain flavonoid compounds, which have anti-cancer effects.

From the above, dogs can eat apples, but owners should note to avoid giving too much — twice a week is enough. In summer, you can cut the apple into small pieces and slightly chill it before feeding. If the dog has diarrhea, steam the apple and let it cool before feeding. All dogs have very low sugar tolerance, so especially older dogs should eat apples only once a month because apples have high sugar content, and eating too much can easily cause diabetes in dogs.

Overall, dogs occasionally eating apples has many benefits. However, whatever they eat must be given regularly and in proper amounts. Generally, you can feed some apples about two hours after their dog food, no more than one apple at a time. And always remember to remove the seeds, as apple seeds are highly toxic to dogs! Owners with dogs at home must keep this in mind!