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Can Dogs Eat Apples? A Delicious but Potentially Poisonous Treat
Can dogs eat apples? An apple is a very nutritious fruit, containing lots of vitamins and minerals. You can give your dog an apple as an occasional treat, but there are a few things to be aware of. And as with all things, moderation is key.
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Are Apples Good for Dogs?
Feeding your dog apples can be a great way to clean its teeth, especially if your dog is struggling with bad breath. The high fiber content is also a handy tool to assist your dog’s bowl movements.
Apples are considered a super food because of all the daily health benefits the fruit offers. They are rich in vitamins A, C and K, calcium, antioxidants, phosphorous, essential fatty acids and pectin. Apples are also a rich source of fiber.
Health benefits include:
- Prevention of joint and bone diseases
- Can improve a dog’s gastrointestinal system.
- Apples help to fight off free radicals, preventing cancer from forming.
- Can keep your dog’s teeth clean and ensure a fresh breath.
- The essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 and 6 help to prevent skin allergies and keeps your dog’s skin and coat in a good condition.
- The dietary fibers help to improve bowel movement.
- The combo of antioxidants plus Vitamins A and C prevents various illnesses in older dogs. A few studies show that these vitamins can assist with hip dysplasia.
Feeding Apples to Dogs – The Health Benefits
Apples are a great substitute for expensive commercial dog treats. They are high in antioxidants, high in fiber and low in protein. The low protein count is especially good for aging dogs. Younger and more active dogs can benefit from the gastrointestinal help and apples can also fight various degenerative conditions.
Dogs are carnivores, but they should not eat too many meaty treats that are high in saturated fat. This is why apples are such a great alternative. Apples are low in saturated fat, calories and sodium. So you can rest assured that you are feeding your dog a very healthy snack.
Can dogs eat apples? Ideally, yes. The apples they are ingesting is good for their health, as well as the process of chewing on the apple. Instead of wrestling with your dog to brush its teeth, just offer it a little treat to chew on.
Can Apples Be Bad for Dogs?
There’s no doubt that apples can be a healthy treat for your dog, but there are a few limiting factors to be aware of.
Firstly, you need to make sure that your dog does not ingest any of the apple seeds. Rather remove the whole core, as it contain traces of cyanide in the form of a compound called Amygdalin. The amount is small, but taking into consideration the size of your dog’s body, it can be very harmful. If your dog is continuously exposed to the seeds, the build-up of the toxin can be detrimental to your dog’s health.
Also, do not feed your dog dehydrated apples. The nutrients are intact, but the lack of water can be dangerous to your dog’s digestion. Your dog can suffer from an upset tummy when eating these. Even too much normal apples can cause bowl movement problems.
Check with your veterinarian before incorporating apples into your dog’s diet. Feeding apples to dogs suffering from diabetes can be dangerous. The natural sugar content of apples are very high. If your dog is suffering from kidney disease, you should also steer clear of apples. The high levels of Omega 6 fatty acids, calcium and phosphorus can put your dog at risk.
How to Feed Apples to Dogs
Make sure you cut away all the core from the apple pieces you intend to feed your dog. You might be tempted to give your dog a whole apple as a chewy treat, but the apple seeds are very dangerous. If you want to give your dog a whole apple to chew on, make sure to use a high-quality core remover.
The only thing to keep in mind when giving your dog a whole apple to munch on, is the size of the dog. A whole apple can be a choking hazard, so not advisable if you know your dog loves gobbling down its food.
Make sure you wash the apple before slicing it up, removing any potential harmful chemicals from the fruit. Keep the skin of the apple intact, it’s the part of the apple high in fiber as well as nutrients.
Slowly introduce the apple into your dog’s general diet and only give it to the dog in moderation. Remember, dogs are primarily carnivores, so their digestive system is not geared towards processing lots of fruit and vegetables.
If your dog eats too many apple pieces, it can affect the dog’s bowl movements. Keep an eye on your dog’s reaction after feeding it apples for the first time to make sure that it’s good for your dog. Not all dogs will like apples and some dogs have more sensitive constitutions than others.
My Dog Ate Too Many Apples! Now What?
If your dog ate way too much apple, your dog will most likely start vomiting or suffer from diarrhea. This is your dog’s body dealing with the foreign substance that it has ingested. If your dog has ingested lots of apple seeds, then you need to take immediate action as the toxicity levels can become dangerous very quickly.
If your dog only ingested too many pieces of apples, without the seeds, you can just closely monitor it for 24 hours and make sure it has access to lots of water so that the dog does not become dehydrated. Try giving your dog a probiotic to help calm its upset tummy. Your dog’s body should deal with the excessive intake of apples on its own, but if the symptoms persist for longer than 24 hours, you will need to visit the veterinarian.
Conclusion – Can Dogs Eat Apples?
Is it safe for dogs to eat apples? If you only give it to your dog as an occasional treat, apples can be a great addition to your dog’s diet in general. Just make sure you do not feed your dog any apple seeds. Rather remove the whole core. But first check with your veterinarian to find out if apples will be beneficial for your dog in particular.
The high sugar content makes it a risky treat in big quantities, so be careful to not over-feed your dog. Apples can be a great nutritional snack for your dog with many health benefits. Just keep in mind that any fruit or vegetable should be given to your dog in moderation, keeping its carnivore digestive system in mind.
What is your dog’s favorite fruity snack? Have you noticed a change in your dog’s overall health after incorporating fruit and vegetables into its diet?
Can Dogs Eat Broccoli? Is Broccoli Good For Dogs?
Can dogs eat broccoli? Yes, but only in moderation. Too much will upset your dog’s stomach. And some parts of the broccoli can be dangerous for your dog. Your dog can benefit from occasionally including broccoli to its diet, but you need to be well aware of the pros and cons of this.
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Health Benefits of Broccoli for Dogs
Broccoli is one of those vegetables that lots people often pull up their noses at. But it’s one of the most nutrient-packed greens. It’s a great source of vitamin A, C and K. It’s rich in folate and manganese. And it is very low in fat and calories. Broccoli is also an excellent source of dietary fiber.
It can help your dog stay regular and improve its digestive system. Because broccoli is rich in antioxidants, it can help fight chronic diseases as well as slow down the aging process in dogs. It contains bioflavonoids which help to fight inflammations, cancer and allergies. Plus, it has oral-enhancing properties to help keep your dog’s teeth in good condition.
Dog food brands have recently started to include broccoli in their products. It’s a great inexpensive snack, if your dog likes the taste.
How Much Broccoli Can a Dog Eat?
The amount of broccoli your dog can ingest, depends on the size of the dog. A good estimate is to include a maximum of 10% in your dog’s overall diet. More than this can cause health problems. Broccoli is not poisonous, but it contains isothiocyanate that can cause gastrointestinal irritation if too much is consumed. Read this article to be aware of the possible toxicity of broccoli.
Tip: divide your dog’s food into ten to twenty equal parts. This way you can easily estimate what is the correct amount to feed it.
How to Feed Broccoli to A Dog
Can dogs eat broccoli? Yes, and you can decide whether you want to feed your dog raw or cooked broccoli. Experiment with the options to find out which method your dog prefers. The stem of the broccoli can be a great chewing toy for your dog. Just be careful with bigger dogs, they can easily choke on it.
Can puppies eat broccoli? Yes, but much less than an adult dog. Feed your puppy maximum one stalk of broccoli at a time and rather stick to maximum once a week because their digestive systems are much more sensitive than an adult dog.
As with all dietary changes, first check with your veterinarian whether it will be suitable for your dog specifically. Also, start introducing the broccoli slowly into your dog’s regular diet to avoid an upset stomach. Too much broccoli can cause gas. For easy digestion and to avoid your dog from choking, break the broccoli stalk into small pieces.
If you decide to cook the broccoli, do not season with salt or any other spices. Keep the broccoli in its most natural form. Too much salt can be very dangerous to your dog’s health. Rather just boil the broccoli in water or steam it.
Is Broccoli Safe for Dogs
Can dogs eat broccoli? Yes, it is full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Adding it to your dog’s diet in moderation can be very beneficial for its overall health. But the emphasis is on moderation, do not add more than 10% to your dog’s diet, to stay within a healthy dose of isothiocyanate.
If your dog is prone to choking on food items, try to take off the stem’s fiber skin before giving it as a chewing toy. Or rather just stick to feeding it the broccoli head. Using small pieces of the broccoli head can be a great alternative treat, or used as a training treat as well.
WARNING
More than 25% of broccoli intake can be lethal because of the isothiocyanate content.
Dogs with goiter issues should not be fed any broccoli. If your dog often struggles with an upset stomach, you should also stay clear of feeding it broccoli. Dogs can be classified omnivores, but their digestive system is more geared towards processing large amounts of meat. It’s best to rather only give your dog broccoli as an occasional snack, not as an everyday addition to its diet.
My Dog Ate Too Much Broccoli! What now?
If your dog only looks mildly discomforted from eating too much broccoli, simply give it lots of water for the body to rid itself from the overdose naturally. The symptoms should clear up after 24 hours. If they persist for longer than this, take your dog to the veterinarian for a checkup.
Symptoms of a broccoli overdose
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Unusually lethargic
- Dog whimpers or tucks its body into a ball
- Excessively hyperactive
- Doesn’t want to eat any other foods
- The white of the dog’s eyes turn yellow
- Pale gums
- Disorientation
- Collapsing
- Seizures
- Coma
Why Can’t Dogs Eat Everything Humans Eat?
Your dog will always beg for food while you’re eating. You can feed your dog some human foods, but it’s important to always do this in moderation. And only occasionally. Plus, first check with your veterinarian if whatever food you want to add to your dog’s diet, is safe for its specific health situation.
Our digestive process begins with the mouth, teeth, and saliva. Food travels through the whole upper body before it arrives at the large and small intestines. Our intestines are about 25 to 28 feet in total length. A dog’s digestive system works quite differently. Food passes through the mouth and esophagus and digestion start in the stomach. Here pieces of bone and meat are broken down by hydrochloric acid. Dogs have the shortest digestive system of all mammals. For a dog the whole digestive process takes about eight to nine hours.
Don’t just assume that anything you can eat will be safe for your dog. First investigate properly before feeding your dog foods outside its regular diet.
Some other human foods that are safe for dogs:
Conclusion: Can Dogs Eat Broccoli?
Broccoli has many health benefits for your dog including cell regeneration, fighting cancer, strengthening the immune system as well as offering overall nutritional balance. But remember to stick to less than 10% of your dog’s overall diet.
You can give the whole broccoli to your dog – from the florets, to the stalk and stem. Offer it to your dog as a snack on its own, or mix it with meat and other veggies.
Does your dog like veggies? Is it a fan of broccoli? What’s its ultimate favorite veggie?
Can Dogs Eat Brussel Sprouts? The Good, The Gas And The Ugly
Can dogs eat brussel sprouts? If you are like me, always trying to add some variety to your dog’s diet, you would also know that you can’t just add anything to their diet. Some research is in order before going all Michelin Star on your dog, because when feeding our fur kids, we only want what is best for them. And with the holiday season coming up, it is more than likely that these green balls might end up on a table spread. And even more likely that someone who is not so keen on these might slip them to the begging dogs under the table.
The short answer on the question “can dogs eat brussel sprouts?”, according to experts, are yes. Dogs are allowed to eat Brussels Sprouts, but only in moderation. Please continue reading to get to the fine print.
What we know about Brussels sprouts
To really answer the question “can dogs eat brussel sprouts”, let’s take a closer look at brussel sprouts. The good, the gas and the ugly of brussel sprouts.
The good
Part of the Cruciferous veggie family, brussels sprouts are known for the good it does to the human body. Loaded with a great number of vitamins, antioxidants and a rich source of fiber. The vitamins found in Brussels sprouts include vitamins K and C. These will give your furry friend’s immune system a boost and make their bones stronger. Other vitamins found in them are vitamins A, B1 and B6. These, along with other elements such as manganese, potassium and folate will all contribute to the health of your dog.
Can dogs eat brussel sprouts
The antioxidants will help reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is one of the main symptoms of cancer development. Though antioxidants are not a cure for cancer, it does help in fighting off this illness. Another benefit of antioxidants is the fact that it helps with better blood circulation. Proper circulation will mean a stronger heart and less blood clot potential. All of the above mentioned benefits apply to both humans and dogs!
Brussels sprouts also contain another 2 great components called sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol. These 2 ingredients are said to be focused on fighting the free radicals that are known for damaging our bodies and for causing cancer. The logic would then be that the more Brussels sprouts you consume, the amount of free radicals in our bodies then decrease, making for a smaller chance to develop cancer! Again, as with the antioxidants, it is not a cure for cancer. This is a process that proved effective in humans, and therefore it can be argued that it would work for our dogs as well.
The gas
Brussels sprouts are sometimes known as green fart balls. And not without reason. Even a small amount of Brussels sprouts can cause a lot of gas. This counts for both humans and dogs. So feeding your dog lots of sprouts can send him running with diarrhea. If it gives your dog diarrhea, it is best to stay clear of Brussels sprouts. While these are healthy for your dog, it is by no means a necessity to their diet; they should get all the nutrition they need to be healthy from their dog food.
The fact that it makes your dog pass gas, is normal when eating Brussels sprouts. In fact, the sprouts actually cause the bowel to move and assists with the health of the colon. Brussels sprouts and most other cruciferous veggies helps in the pushing of food, waste and toxins through our intestines. This builds up excess bacterium which is then released in a gas. Like all things, this is good in moderation. Even though this is not a particularly enjoyable action, it is no cause for worry or harm and should not discourage you from giving your dog’s Brussels sprouts.
The Ugly
Safe to give to your dog, first try and only give a small amount, preferably no more than one sprout at a time. See how your dog reacts to this and keep an eye on him. If your dog seems fine, give sprouts a second time to your dog. Give slightly more Brussels sprouts the second time. If your dog does not have a reaction the second time, you should be safe to give this to your dog from time to time, but rather limit this to 3 sprouts in a sitting. If you have a small dog, 1 sprout should be enough. If they have a bad reaction to the sprouts the first time around it means their stomachs can’t handle this kind of vegetable and it should then rather be avoided in the future.
So you might be thinking, a vegetable with so many benefits, why can’t my dog just live of this stuff? In moderation this vegetable is perfectly fine, dogs should not eat this excessively. Brussels sprouts contain a high amount of isothiocyanate. This compound is known to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract cancer by fighting off carcinogens, the bad guys that causes cancer. However, as experts say, this compound will “clear the pipes”. This means that too many sprouts will cause diarrhea and stomach problems. Therefore, be cautious as to how much sprouts your dog consumes. If it should happen that your dog has a negative reaction to the sprouts, just let the stomach upset or reaction run its course. Brussels sprouts does not contain any toxins or potential poisons to your dog, meaning that there is no immediate danger and cause for panic if your dog has a negative reaction to the sprouts. If the stomach upset lasts longer that what is normal, it is best to refer to your local vet for advice and care.
Preparing Brussels sprouts for your dog
Sprouts carry a risk of food borne illness. Therefore, it is always best to clean it properly and make sure that you cook the sprouts thoroughly to reduce the risk of illness. It could also be harder for the dogs to digest raw sprouts and this is more likely to cause stomach problems.
When choosing Brussels sprouts, look for those that are fresh, green and firm. Remove the stem and wash the sprouts. They can be steamed, boiled or microwaved. When you are cooking the sprouts for your dog, make sure not to add any salt or spices, as plain cooked ones are best for dogs. Be careful not to overcook the sprouts, otherwise they will lose their nutritional benefits.
Many people will eat sprouts only when they are roasted or sautéed with bacon and onion. Often times, salt, garlic and other spices will be added. Be careful when giving these sprouts to your dogs, as not only are the salt and spices bad for you dog, garlic and onion is sure to cause an upset stomach.
Wrapping Up – can dogs eat brussel sprouts
Brussels sprouts are good for you, as well as your dog. Remember the key is moderation, and you are likely to add some healthy vitamins and minerals to your dog’s diet and help with their digestion. Just keep an eye on the kids slipping these veggies to the dogs under the table and everything should be fine!
Hope we answered your question “can dogs eat brussel sprouts?”.
