Apples

[Stefani]

I've heard mixed opinions from other pet owners, but I've never asked my vet (which is where I'll go if I ever decide to give them to my kids).  I've heard they are good to give when a dog has loose stools, because of the fiber in them.  I know that apple seeds contain some poison (can't remember what it is), but I've heard that it is low levels, so a few seeds for a large dog wouldn't hurt.  I've heard of people uses apple pieces as training treats because they won't put excess weight on a dog, and they are healthy. 

Thoughts, opinions, personal experiance?

[blkpanther0001]

our kids absolutely love apples. as soon as you get one out to eat they all start drooling. we have fed them the cores seeds and all with no problem, we split one apple core between the 3 dogs, the most they have gotten is 2 cores split between them. I have used them as training treats when the opportunity comes up. the only thing I watch for is giving them to much apple fearing what it might do to their digestive system (knowing what it does to mine).

When my grandparents had apple trees her dog would go out and eat the ones that fell on the ground with no affect but to get a tummy ache if he ate to many of them (just like a kid eating to many). he would do the same thing with the cherry tree with the same results. but if he only ate a couple their was no problem.

They also love oranges, celery, cantaloupe, peas, any type of fruit or veggie they love to get as a treat. they do not get it all the time, just once in awhile.

[magolin]

I've never heard of apples being a problem other than if they're eaten in huge quantities.  But that'd be the same with any fruit or veggie a dog ate in large quantities.  It wouldn't really harm them, but it'd probably be a tummy ache. 

Dogs' digestive systems aren't set up to be able to digest raw fruits and veggies like you and I can.  The cells of plants have a cellulose coating.  Dogs don't have digestive enzymes that break that down.  The only way they can get any real quantity of nutrients from fruits and veggies is if they're cooked or put in a blender.  That's why they don't really put on weight if you give them raw fruits and veggies in just cut up pieces.  If they're in kibble they're cooked so they can get something out of them. 

As for apple seeds, I've not heard of them being enough of a problem to stop a dog from eating one apple's worth.  From looking around online it looks like they're fine if the dog just eats the seeds whole.  The toxin is only released if the seeds are bitten into or if they come apart because they're rotten.  Whole seeds apparently just pass right through the dog. 

The pits of cherries can be toxic too.  From looking around online the pits and seeds of a lot of fruits have some level of toxicity. 

And no no no, if you give fiber when the dog has loose stools you'll get even looser stools!  Either fast the dog for a day or give a little boiled hamburger and plain rice for a day or two. 

[SistaHelen]

And no no no, if you give fiber when the dog has loose stools you'll get even looser stools!  Either fast the dog for a day or give a little boiled hamburger and plain rice for a day or two. 

Maggie's right; the BRAT (bananas/rice/apples/tea) diet for canines does not include apples.  My vet says the canine equivalent of the BRAT diet is steamed rice and chicken.

best,
Helen and Charlie