Wild cats live on raw meat from their prey, so are raw food diets for cats safe? Although domestic cats can eat raw meat, that may not provide all the nutrients they need. Learn more about raw diets for cats here.
Whole, sliced or cubed apples make a great snack for you, but can dogs eat apples? Yes, if you take some care in how you prepare them. Keep reading to learn how to prepare apples for your dog.
Can I feed my dog apples?
Absolutely. Dogs can have apples. They are a good fruit to include in your treating routine. "Try rotating different foods that are good for dogs like apples, bananas, and carrots to help keep the flavours and textures new and special," Purina Senior Nutritionist Jan Dempsey recommends.
Are apples good for dogs?
Apples can be good for your dog as a treat. Apples are a source of fibre and carbohydrates. “Apples do have some Vitamin C, but dogs don’t require it. Since your dog is already eating a complete and balanced diet, apples won’t give him much nutritional help,” explains Dempsey.
Are there any varieties of apples bad for dogs?
No. From tart to sweet varieties, all apples are good for your dog to eat as a treat. “Tart flavours aren’t necessarily a turn-off for your dog. If you have a favourite variety, you can try sharing it with your dog, too,” suggests Dempsey.
How should you prepare apples for dogs?
Apples for dogs should be:
- Washed
- Cored
- Have seeds and stem removed
- Peeled (or not, depending on your dog)
- Cut into slices or chunks (depending on your dog)
“Dogs should not eat the seeds in apples, so be sure to cut them out along with the stem,” Dempsey instructs. That means you can’t serve your dog a whole apple. And if your dog has a sensitive system, peel the apple to cut down on extra fibre.
How many apples can dogs have?
A slice or two of an apple makes a good serving for your dog because it should only be 10 percent of your dog's daily calories. But if your dog loves apples, try a complete and balanced meal like Beneful Healthy Weight accented with apples.
Can dogs eat applesauce?
Dogs can eat some kinds of applesauce. But it may be difficult to find one that’s good for them. “Most have added sugars, so I don’t recommend applesauce. Even homemade generally has added sugar, which isn’t good for dogs,” Dempsey explains.
Can puppies eat apples?
Puppies can eat apples. But puppies need supervision, especially if they haven’t had apple before. Watch them carefully as they eat a slice. Then see if it causes him any digestive issues. If not, apples can make a good treat for your puppy.
