One of Martha’s favorite seasonal rituals is picking apples from the orchard on her farm, either to enjoy fresh, make cider, or use them in apple recipes. Like all seasons and celebrations, Martha’s pets are part of her work and festivities—and this year is no different. Martha recently shared pictures on Instagram of her French bulldogs Luna Moona and Creme Brûlée enjoying the fall season and chowing down on some of the apples from her orchard.
Sharing the joy of crisp apples with family, friends, and your dogs is one of many timeless fall festivities you can’t go without this year. To ensure the safety of your furry family members, we spoke with a veterinarian about all the things to consider when sharing this sweet treat.
Are Apples Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Eating apple slices is generally a low risk for dogs. However, apple slices should be considered a special treat rather than a meal replacer. Dogs can safely eat a few slices of apples, but the majority of their intake should be well-balanced dog food. “Only up to 10 percent of your dog’s daily calories can come from treats, including apple slices,” says Rhiannon Koehler, DVM, MPH, small animal veterinarian.
How to Safely Feed Your Dogs Apples
When preparing this sweet treat for your dog, you can leave the skin on but remove the core, seeds, and stem, Koehler says. If your dog swallows the apple core, it could cause an intestinal blockage because it is hard for them to digest. A common misconception is dogs could get cyanide poisoning from apple seeds—while this is a possibility, it is unlikely because of the large amount of seeds they would have to eat to experience cyanide poisoning.
Potential Risks
If it is your first time feeding your dog apples as a treat, it is important to monitor how they react. Uncommon allergic reactions from apples include:
- Itchy skin
- Hives
- Face swelling
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty breathing
In the case of a reaction, Koehler recommends to stop giving them apples and monitor their symptoms at home if they are otherwise acting normal. “If your dog is having difficulty breathing, their face is swelling, or they’re getting hives, you should contact your veterinarian immediately or visit an emergency room to rule out anaphylaxis,” she says.
Apples can be a fun fall treat and a festive way to include them in the fall season, but we recommend always consulting your vet before feeding any new food to your dog.