I call it the great apple debate because of mixed reviews I’ve heard about dogs consuming the apple peel..
Like most pet parents I’m constantly seeking fresh, wholesome, natural and beneficial foods to feed the Boys.
Both Harley and Jaxson are huge fans of fruits and veggies.
Especially apples…
CAN DOGS EAT APPLES? –
Yes, they can! …
Apples are a wonderful low-calorie affordable treat for dogs. Loaded with benefits such as antioxidants, fiber, calcium, phosphorus and both Vitamins A and C.
An all natural way to satisfy their sweet tooth, it has become a favorite evening treat. On occasion (before Harley’s allergy flare-ups), I used to toss the apple chunks in peanut butter. #nomore
NO SEEDS PLEASE –
I’ve always removed the stem, and cut away the core along with the seeds. The core because it could easily become a choking hazard and the seeds because they contain small amounts of cyanide.
Eating a few seeds shouldn’t have a major effect, but eating a significant amount could cause a build-up of cyanide in the body. I never know how to gage a “significant amount” therefore I just omit completely to be on the safe side. #whenindoubt
SO LET’S GET TO THE PEEL –
Harley & Jaxson both eat the peel! A large majority of the good nutrients are in the peel…
During a recent visit with their (conventional) Vet – we were chit-chatting about nutrition. There were a few questions I had about natural sugar – Harley’s age – diabetes, etc… when the apples rolled into our conversation.
He said the amount and frequency of their apple intake is fine, but he caught me off guard when he cautioned me to remove the core, the seeds AND the peel. #whatyoutalkingaboutwillis?
Doodle Doc explained that the peel was difficult for some dogs to digest and has been known to cause intestinal issues.
The topic of apple peels monopolized our time together and we parted with him suggesting I start peeling the apples from now on. A precautionary measure he called it.
HELLO INTERNET –
Because I am not a vet, I certainly will listen to one. But I also needed/wanted more information. I sat at my desk and “surfed” for days.
Ton’s of literature discussing the dangers of seeds and the apple core. Not many sources addressing a digestion concern with the peel though. But I bumped into this sentence several times –
Apples with the skin on are full of plant chemicals (phytonutrients) that are thought to be protective against some types of cancer in humans. Source: ModernDog
TO PEEL OR NOT TO PEEL –
That has certainly been the question around my house lately.
Our Holistic Vet believes the peel is fine as long as there are no adverse reactions. Similar thought process to “some people can and other people can’t” when it comes to foods.
With that said, here is what I’ve concluded –
- All fruits and veggies are cleaned thoroughly before we consume them.
- I trust Doodle Doc – I value our conversations and if apples were a “new food” I probably would peel the apples.
- But since apples have been on our menu for so long, we will continue serving and enjoying the peel…
QUESTIONS –
Does your pup eat apples?
Do you peel?
Let us know –
Be the reason someone smiles today ❤
May 21, 2018
Elsa LOVES apples, Sam is more in the “meh” camp. She has no problem with the skins and I like that there’s a lot of nutrition in them.
May 22, 2018
Harley had the same attitude towards apples as Sam until Jaxson came along. Now he’s living them. #doodleseedoodledo
May 22, 2018
My dog just eat the apple with the seeds but it was just thit one time wil the seed do something to her
May 22, 2018
It is my understanding that once or twice is not deadly but I personally wouldn’t do it.
May 23, 2018
Katie and Mom always enjoyed lunch together. Mom would make a tiny 1″x1″ sandwich for her, they shared apple slices with the peel, and Katie always enjoyed a piece of Mom’s red licorice, about 1/2″ long. Mom has had licorice after lunch since she was a little girl, hard habit to break. Since Katie passed, no more tiny sandwiches have ever been made, Mom has never been a big apple fan, my sisters and I don’t like them much either, so there are no more apples, and for a time Mom even gave up licorice. Licorice did come back after about a month. As for the apples, she says it is just too hard to eat something she doesn’t really enjoy without a friend to help her out. That was the long answer, the short one is, keep the peel on the apple!
May 24, 2018
Tell your Mom I totally understand. I can remember a few things that Leo and I shared together (popcorn)! Harley didn’t really care for it, so it was something Leo and I would share.
May 23, 2018
Hey Cathy,
The boys LOVE apples (anything crunchy for that matter) and have always spit out any skin I’ve forgotten to take off for them. They let me know they don’t like it in their own way. Haha!
Hope you’re well my dear. xoxo
May 24, 2018
Harley prefers his apples chunks at room temperature #cantmakethisup
He will leave the cold chunks in his dish if it’s cut right out of the fridge. Interesting enough – Jaxson will not touch Harleys’ share. It’s as if he knows this is off limits.
May 23, 2018
I love that you asked your Vet and then did some additional research of your own – you are one smart Doodle Mama! My dogs love apples but I never let them eat the core or seeds – I can’t believe too many seeds could cause cyanide poisoning, that is nuts! I chop the apple into smallish pieces and I usually peel the apple, mainly because Phoebe doesn’t like the peel. That’s the problem with fruits & veggies, the peel always contains the healthiest part but is the least tasty LOL! Thanks for sharing this helpful information.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
May 24, 2018
The two vets we see are really a great balance between conventional and holistic care. They are aware of each other, have great respect for one another and I love being able to reach out and talk to both of them. I will always take time to learn as much as I can – but if it’s something totally clinical and out of my league, I am extremely comfortable with their collaboration. We all have the Boys best interest at heart. Conventional vet is happy that I am feeding small pieces and alternating with sometimes peel and sometimes not! I think I want to start making homemade applesauce leaving the peel on during the cooking process for the nutrients and then removing them before serving. I’ll keep you posted.
May 24, 2018
I tried to feed Happy vegetables and fruits several times, but unfortunately he just does not seem to like them. Howeber, if you are unsure, I would definitely stick to your vet’s advice, he must know best. If I were you, I would not take the risk and peel the apples from now on 🙂
May 24, 2018
We’ve talked again, and because of the holistic vet’s advice that the peel is full of vitamins and nutrients – I’ve decided to alternate. I peel on occasion and leave the peel at times too. Conventional vet is comfy with this compromise – says if they haven’t had any issues they probably won’t and he’s happy that I cut the apples into little pieces. I think we’ve got a plan. Have you tried soft fruits with your dog? Melons for instant – especially watermelon.
May 24, 2018
Luke loves apples, and yes, he eats the peels. I had never heard they were bad. Some of our past dogs ate whole apples, and we never had an issue; but I did stop that once I heard about the seeds.
I listen to my vet as well, but sometimes they just have opinions on things like everyone else. Before Cricket passed, I had a big discussion with our vet over giving our dogs raw eggs. She was adamantly against it, but I didn’t agree with her reasoning.
I listened to her politely, didn’t argue, and Luke still gets a raw egg every other day (I had already researched it extensively before talking to her about it)!
May 24, 2018
You hit the nail on the head Jan – they have opinions. I think what I like the most about the two vets we see is their comfort levels in discussing everything with me. They advise and unless it was something that would harm the Boys we share our thoughts and support whatever I think is best for them. I haven’t started the raw egg, only because the food they eat is so high in protein – they really don’t need anymore. But like you – I’ve heard nothing but great things in raw eggs (within moderation depending on their diet). Maybe one day I will try it – but not now.
May 25, 2018
We have apple trees on our property and the dogs know how to pick their own apples. In the fall, I walk around with a pocket knife so that I can core the apples for them – they eat everything else including the skin. I haven’t heard that about the skin. I’ll continue feeding the skin because my dogs don’t have any issues, however, this is good information to have because that may change or it may pose an issue with a new dog.
May 27, 2018
I remember years ago – you and I talked about apples and how much our dogs enjoyed eating them. I wanted to write this post in the event a pet parent fed their dog an apple, there was some digestive issues, and perhaps it was due to the peel and not the meat of the fruit. Perhaps that same dog could enjoy a “peeled” apple – if someone knew to ask. I too am comfy leaving the skin on, but I have started chopping the slices into smaller chunks. That was my compromise with our conventional Doodle Doc 🙂
June 14, 2018
As a new Dood mom, I’ve just recently discovered your blog. Thank you! Just this very morning I was having an internal debate about apple peels. However, beyond peels, my question is whether or not I should follow “human guidelines” and stick to feeding fruits in the a.m. / lunch and veggies for dinner. Going with the thought process of having all day to burn the sugar from fruit… or, if I know my Dood will get an evening walk, is it okay for her to have an apple in the p.m.? Thanks for letting ask in ignorance. Blessings from Jerzie’s mama in Texas.
June 17, 2018
Hi Yvonne – Congratulations on becoming a Doodle Mom and I’m so happy you found us! I don’t necessarily follow “human” guidelines when it comes to the time of day I give them fruit. They often get it as an evening snack actually. Their holistic vet is more concerned about the amount (too much sugar = diabetes) then the time of day. For the two of them – they share an apple and they don’t get it everyday. If they have steamed veggies for dinner they usually don’t get fruit that evening. One more thing – there are no ignorant questions in my book – you can ask me anything, but I will always strongly suggest you check with your vet 🙂 Hugs to Jerzie’s mama – please come back again soon!