Can my dog eat apples?
Can dogs eat apples?Yes
Without the core, seeds and stalk, cut into slices or small pieces.
Yes, dogs can eat apples – raw, washed and in small pieces, but without the core, seeds and stalk. The seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can release hydrogen cyanide; a few swallowed seeds are still not an emergency. As a snack, half an apple slice to two slices a day is enough, depending on your dog's size.
How much apple can your dog eat?
Enter the weight – the amount updates straight away. You can adjust age, activity and neutering below.
How the calculator works
- Daily requirement: Resting energy requirement 70 × 15 kg^0.75 ≈ 534 kcal × factor 1.6 ≈ 855 kcal.
- Treat allowance: at most 10% of that = 86 kcal for all treats combined.
- Calorie limit: 86 kcal ÷ 52 kcal/100 g = 165 g of apples.
- Guide value for dogs 10–25 kg: 1 × apple slice (⅛ of an apple, cored) at 20 g each = 20 g (guide value from the source).
- Recommendation: the smaller of the two, rounded down to half portions → 1 × 20 g = 20 g ≈ 10 kcal.
Sources: 10% rule from the WSAVA guide to treats · kcal value: USDA FoodData Central. Daily requirement as in the dog calorie calculator.
Result · 15 kg · Adult
Up to 1
apple slice (⅛ of an apple, cored) on a snack day
(≈ 20 g, 10 kcal)
Treat allowance 86 kcal (10% of 855 kcal) · 1 apple slice (⅛ of an apple, cored) ≈ 20 g
Limited by: guide value
Here the guide value for dogs 10–25 kg sets the limit (guide value from the source): at most 1 apple slice (⅛ of an apple, cored). In terms of calories, up to 165 g would be possible.
AKC: one or two apple slices are enough. PetMD gives one to six small pieces depending on size – so for dogs up to 10 kg we calculate with half a slice.
This applies if it's the only snack that day – if your dog gets other treats too, give correspondingly less.
The app calculates recipes in grams, kcal and portions to suit your dog's weight, age, activity and allergies.Apples for dogs: amount by weight
| Weight | Maximum per snack day | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | ½ apple slice (⅛ of an apple, cored)≈ 10 g | ≈ 5 |
| 10 kg | ½ apple slice (⅛ of an apple, cored)≈ 10 g | ≈ 5 |
| 20 kg | 1 apple slice (⅛ of an apple, cored)≈ 20 g | ≈ 10 |
| 30 kg | 2 × apple slice (⅛ of an apple, cored)≈ 40 g | ≈ 21 |
| 40 kg | 2 × apple slice (⅛ of an apple, cored)≈ 40 g | ≈ 21 |
- All snacks together no more than 10% of daily calories (WSAVA recommendation). If your dog gets other treats too, give correspondingly less.
- Guide value per weight class – small up to 10 kg, medium 10–25 kg, large over 25 kg: AKC: one or two apple slices are enough. PetMD gives one to six small pieces depending on size – so for dogs up to 10 kg we calculate with half a slice.
What's in it
- Crunchy, juicy and low in calories at around 52 kcal per 100 g – an alternative to fatty or salty treats.
- Provides fibre, mostly in the skin, and a little vitamin C. Your dog's food covers its needs – apple is just a small extra.
- Diced small, it makes a good training treat; dried at home, it becomes apple chips with no added sugar.
- Chewing can slightly reduce plaque on the teeth – it doesn't replace tooth brushing.
What to watch out for
- The seeds contain amygdalin, and the stalks and leaves contain other cyanogenic glycosides – these can release hydrogen cyanide during digestion. It only becomes dangerous with large amounts of seeds, but always remove them anyway.
- The core and stalk are hard: small dogs in particular can choke on them, and larger pieces can cause problems in the gut.
- Apples contain around 10 g of sugar per 100 g. Too much apple can cause tummy ache or diarrhoea and adds unnecessary calories.
- If your dog has diabetes or is on a strict diet, only give apple after checking with your vet.
How to prepare apples
How to do it
- Wash the apple thoroughly
- Cut out the core, seeds and stalk
- Cut into slices or small cubes
- Peel it if your dog has a sensitive stomach
- The first time, give only a small piece and keep an eye on digestion
Better not
- Whole apples or apple cores to chew on or play with
- Apple cake, apple strudel or sweetened apple sauce
- Shop-bought dried apple with sugar or preservatives
- Apple products with nutmeg or sweeteners such as xylitol (birch sugar)
How often?
Many healthy dogs can have small amounts regularly. But apple is still a snack: all treats together should make up no more than 10% of daily calories.
Frequently asked questions about apples
Can my dog eat apples with the skin on?
Yes. The skin contains extra fibre. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, it's better to peel the apple, as it's then easier to digest. Either way, wash it thoroughly.
Are apple seeds toxic to dogs?
Apple seeds contain amygdalin, which can release hydrogen cyanide during digestion. A few swallowed seeds usually won't harm a healthy dog – it would have to eat a great many for that. Even so, seeds and cores don't belong in the bowl.
Can my dog eat apple sauce?
Unsweetened apple sauce without additives, yes, in small amounts – about a teaspoon as a topping or frozen in an ice cube tray. Shop-bought apple sauce often contains sugar. Products with sweeteners such as xylitol are toxic to dogs.
Can puppies eat apples?
Yes, in small amounts. Start with a small cube without seeds and watch whether your puppy tolerates it well. If it causes diarrhoea or tummy ache, stop giving apple.
Can my dog have apple every day?
Small amounts are fine for many healthy dogs on a regular basis too, as long as all treats together stay below 10% of daily calories. If your dog's stools become soft, reduce the amount.
Can my dog eat dried apples?
Home-dried apple rings without sugar are fine in small amounts. Drying concentrates the sugar, so give less than you would of fresh apple. Shop-bought dried apple with added sugar or preservatives isn't suitable.
Can dogs eat green or sour apples?
Yes, the variety doesn't matter. Some dogs just don't like sour varieties such as Granny Smith as much as sweet ones.
What should I do if my dog has eaten a whole apple core?
Usually nothing happens. Keep an eye on your dog over the next few hours and days: gagging, vomiting, abdominal pain or loss of appetite can point to a digestive problem or a foreign body – in that case, call your vet. If there is difficulty breathing, strikingly brick-red mucous membranes, dilated pupils or weakness, call straight away.
Can my dog eat apple cake?
No. Cake contains a lot of sugar and fat, and nutmeg can cause signs of poisoning in larger amounts. A piece of fresh apple is the better reward.
Is apple good for my dog's teeth?
Chewing can reduce plaque a little, but pieces of skin also tend to get stuck between the teeth. An apple doesn't replace regular tooth brushing and dental check-ups at the vet.
Can my dog eat apple if it has diabetes?
Only after checking with your vet. The fruit sugar in apple affects blood sugar, and with diabetes every treat has to fit into the feeding plan.
Recipes with apples
Ingredients and method are on the website; the app works out the amounts for your dog.
Similar foods
- YesFruitPearRipe flesh without the core, seeds and stalk, cut into small pieces.See the answer
- In moderationFruitBananaPeeled, sliced and, because of the sugar, only as a small snack.See the answer
- YesFruitBlueberryFresh or frozen, washed and without sugar, in small amounts.See the answer
- YesFruitStrawberryWashed, without the leaves and stalk, and cut into small pieces.See the answer
- YesFruitWatermelonOnly the flesh, without the seeds or rind, in small cubes.See the answer
Sources
- Can Dogs Eat Apples? – American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Can Dogs Eat Apples? Benefits and Risks – PetMD (vet-reviewed)
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Apple – ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
- Bittere Aprikosenkerne können zu Vergiftungen führen – Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR)
- Apples, raw, with skin (SR Legacy, FDC 171688) – USDA FoodData Central
- Feeding treats to your dog – WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee (10% rule in the calculator)
Reviewed on · DoggoMeal editorial team
This page is no substitute for veterinary advice. Dogs with pre-existing conditions – for example of the kidneys, liver or pancreas, or with diabetes – and dogs with allergies often need their own rules. If your dog has symptoms or you're unsure, ask your vet.
Recipes that fit your dog
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