Can Dogs Eat Apples? Yes, but Skip These 3 Parts

Yes, dogs can eat apples. Plain, fresh apple slices make a sweet, crunchy treat that most dogs love. Apples have fiber and vitamins A and C, and they are low in fat. But three parts need to go before your dog gets a bite: the core, the seeds, and the stem. The core can make a dog choke or block the gut. The seeds and stem hold a natural compound that can release cyanide when chewed. Keep apples to a few slices, not a whole fruit, since they are high in natural sugar. And skip apple pie, caramel apples, and anything sugar-free. Below, we answer the most common questions about dogs and apples, with a quick chart of which parts are safe.

In this article

• Can dogs eat apples safely?
• Which parts of an apple can dogs eat?
• Are apple seeds really poisonous to dogs?
• How much apple can a dog eat?
• How should you serve apples to a dog?
• Are fallen apples in the yard safe?
• Which apple foods should dogs skip?
• Frequently asked questions

Can Dogs Eat Apples Safely?

Yes. The American Kennel Club lists apples as a safe treat for dogs, as long as you take out the seeds and core first. The flesh and the skin are both fine.

Here is what is inside a medium apple, based on USDA data:

• About 95 calories. That is for the whole apple. One slice is only about 12.
• About 4.4 grams of fiber. Fiber helps with digestion. Much of it is in the skin.
• About 19 grams of sugar. It is natural sugar, but it still adds up.
• Vitamins A and C. Plus almost no fat or protein.

That makes apple slices a good swap for rich store-bought treats, especially for dogs who need to lose a few pounds. The crunch may also scrape a little gunk off the teeth. It is not a stand-in for brushing, though.

Which Parts of an Apple Can Dogs Eat?

Not every part of the apple is the same. This chart shows what is safe and what to toss.

Are Apple Seeds Really Poisonous to Dogs?

Yes, but the risk from a few seeds is much smaller than most people fear. Here is how it works.

Apple seeds hold a compound called amygdalin. When a seed gets crushed or chewed, amygdalin can break down into cyanide. The ASPCA lists the stems, leaves, and seeds of the apple tree as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses for this reason. Signs of cyanide poisoning include bright red gums, wide pupils, trouble breathing, panting, and shock.

So why do vets call a few seeds low risk? Two reasons:

• Seeds have to be crushed. A seed that gets swallowed whole often passes right through without breaking open.
• It takes a lot. The Merck Veterinary Manual says the deadly dose of cyanide for most animals is about 2 mg per kilogram of body weight. Each tiny seed holds only a small amount. A dog would need to chew up far more seeds than one apple has.

That does not make seeds a treat. Small dogs have less room for error, and a dog that raids a bag of cores could chew a lot of seeds at once. Just take them out every time. If your dog ate a big pile of cores or seeds, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

How Much Apple Can a Dog Eat?

Most vets use the 10% rule. Treats of all kinds should make up no more than 10% of what your dog eats in a day, counted in calories. Apples count toward that 10%, along with chews, training treats, and table scraps.

A whole apple is too much for most dogs at once, mostly because of the sugar and fiber. Too much can lead to gas, loose stools, or an upset stomach. A simple starting point:

• Small dogs: one or two thin slices, cut into bite-size bits.
• Medium dogs: two or three slices.
• Large dogs: a few slices.

Start with one slice the first time. Watch for tummy trouble over the next day. If your dog has diabetes, is on a special diet, or has a touchy gut, ask your vet before adding fruit.

How Should You Serve Apples to a Dog?

1. Wash the apple

Rinse off dirt and any spray left on the skin.

2. Cut out the core, seeds, and stem

Slice around the core and throw it away where your dog can't reach it. A closed trash can works best.

3. Slice to fit your dog

Cut thin slices for big dogs and small cubes for little dogs. Dogs who gulp food need smaller pieces.

4. Try a fun twist

Freeze a few apple cubes for a cool, crunchy snack. Or smear a little plain peanut butter on a slice. Check the label first. Some peanut butters have xylitol, which is very dangerous for dogs.

Are Fallen Apples in the Yard or Orchard Safe for Dogs?

Not always. This is a real fall risk that many dog owners miss.

Apples that drop and sit on the ground start to rot. As they rot, they can ferment and make alcohol. Dogs handle alcohol very poorly. Vets have reported a case of alcohol poisoning in a dog that ate rotten apples. Signs can include wobbling, drooling, vomiting, and acting drunk or sleepy.

Fallen fruit brings other problems too. A dog that gulps whole apples swallows the cores and seeds. Leaves and twigs from the tree end up in the mix. And rotten fruit can grow mold.

If you have an apple tree, pick up fallen fruit every few days. At the orchard, keep your dog on a short leash, and don't let them snack off the ground.

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Which Apple Foods Should Dogs Skip?

Fresh apple is fine. Many apple foods made for people are not. Here is a quick guide.

Fall and the holidays bring lots of risky treats. Chocolate is the big one. Here is how dark, milk, and white chocolate compare for dogs. And while apples are safe, some fruits are not. Our guide to why dogs can't eat grapes explains a risk every dog owner should know.

Frequently asked questions

Can dogs eat apple skin?

Yes. Apple skin is safe and holds a lot of the fiber. Wash it first. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, peel the slices to make them easier to digest.

What should I do if my dog ate a whole apple core?

Don't panic. One core is unlikely to cause cyanide poisoning. The bigger worry is a blocked gut, mainly in small dogs. Watch for vomiting, a swollen belly, straining to poop, or not wanting to eat. Call your vet if you see any of these, or if your dog ate several cores.

Can puppies eat apples?

Yes, in tiny amounts. Puppies have touchy stomachs, so start with one small, soft piece. Cut it small enough that it can't get stuck. Their main food should do most of the work.

Are green apples or red apples better for dogs?

Both are fine. Green apples, like Granny Smith, tend to have a little less sugar. Red apples are sweeter. Any kind works if you remove the core, seeds, and stem.

Can cats eat apples too?

A small bite of plain apple flesh is generally fine for cats, but most cats don't care for it. The seeds, stems, and leaves carry the same risk for cats as for dogs.

For Dog People Who Love Fall

Apple season is one of the best times of year to be outside with your dog. If the smell of fresh apples is your favorite part, bring it home too.

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Sources: American Kennel Club, ASPCA Animal Poison Control, Merck Veterinary Manual, PubMed case report on ethanol toxicosis from rotten apples, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and USDA FoodData Central.