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Can Dogs Eat Green Apples? Vet-Approved Facts!

Written by: Brooke Billingsley

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Brooke Billingsley

Can Dogs Eat Green Apples? Vet-Approved Facts!

VET APPROVED

Dr. Lauren Demos  Photo

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Lauren Demos

DVM (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Apples are a healthy fruit that are hardier than many other fruits, so they are often available throughout the year, making them a great option for fresh fruit no matter the season. There are multiple apple varieties consistently available, including Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji, and green apples, also commonly known as Granny Smith apples.

Green apples are the tartest of all apple varieties available in supermarkets, leaving many people feeling quite strongly about them. If you’re a fan of green apples, you might have them in your house regularly, and you may have wondered if you could share a bite of your tasty, tart apple with your pup. Here’s what you need to know about feeding green apples to dogs.

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Can Dogs Eat Green Apples?

Dogs can absolutely eat green apples, as well as all other supermarket apple varieties. In fact, green apples are slightly healthier for dogs. This is due to their lower sugar and overall carbohydrate content than red apple varieties, including tart red apples.

Green apples are also higher in vitamin A than red apples, which is a nutrient that supports immunity, vision health, reproduction, and overall growth.

However, you must know that dogs cannot eat apple cores, especially the seeds1, as these parts can be toxic for dogs.

green apples
Image By: 2204574, Pixabay

Can Dogs Eat Applesauce?

Dogs can eat applesauce, including applesauce made from green apples. However, it’s important to stick to unsweetened applesauce since the added sugar in other applesauce can lead to digestive problems and other health problems. Ensure that the applesauce you choose isn’t sweetened with xylitol, which is an artificial sweetener that is toxic and deadly to dogs.

Considerations When Feeding Green Apples to Dogs

There are a couple of considerations before feeding apples of any kind to your dog. The first is to avoid allowing your dog to eat the seeds of the apple. Apple seeds contain cyanide, which can be dangerous for your dog.

The cyanide does occur in low concentrations, so it would take a lot of apple seeds to make your dog sick, but it’s best to avoid them completely. You also should avoid allowing your dog to consume the apple core since there is a risk of apple cores leading to intestinal obstructions.

It’s important to wash apples well before feeding them to your dog. There are pesticides and bacteria that can end up on fresh produce, so washing well before feeding will reduce any risks posed by these things.

Chewing on crunchy apples can help to keep your dog’s teeth clean. Unfortunately, small bits of apple, especially the peels, can become wedged between their teeth. This means that you will still need to provide dental care at home. Feeding apples as treats doesn’t eliminate the need for proper dental care.

border collie dog licking nose
Image By: malcolmthe, Shutterstock

How Much Green Apple Can My Dog Have?

While green apples are a healthy treat for dogs, it is important to avoid overfeeding them. Overfeeding green apples may lead to stomach upset due to their sugar and fiber content.

How much green apple your dog can eat depends on their size. Small dogs should only be given one or two small apple slices. Medium dogs can have up to six small apple slices, while large and extra large dogs can have a handful of small apple pieces. Most dogs are too small to receive an entire apple in one day.

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Conclusion

Green apples are a healthy and tasty treat for your dog. Green apples are healthier for dogs than red apples, but they still should be fed sparingly to prevent stomach upset due to the sugar and fiber content. Apples should be fed as part of a balanced diet for your dog, and they are best given as a treat and not a daily food offering.

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