Can Dogs Eat Apples? Seeds, Cores and How Much Is Safe

Are apples good for dogs?

Apples earn their place in the treat jar. The American Kennel Club lists vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium and antioxidants among their benefits, plus fiber that’s concentrated in the peel and helps with digestion. PetMD’s veterinarians add that apples are relatively low in calories and fat compared with many processed treats, which makes them a lighter option for dogs who need a healthier snack.

They’re still fruit, though. AKC points out that each apple has about 19 grams of sugar, so a whole apple is likely too much for your dog. PetMD notes that most dogs already get enough vitamin C from a balanced diet, so think of apple as a snack your dog enjoys rather than a supplement they need. Dogs with diabetes, or any condition that calls for a strict diet, should only get apple with their veterinarian’s OK.

Red or green makes little difference to safety. PetMD says green apples are fine, though their tartness can make them less appealing than sweeter varieties like Gala or Honeycrisp. And while crunching an apple slice may scrape off a little plaque, AKC is clear that it’s no substitute for brushing or veterinary dental cleanings, and bits of peel can get stuck between teeth. If tartar is the real goal, our guide to the best dog dental chews covers products built for the job.

Can dogs eat apple seeds, cores and stems?

This is why apples show up on toxic-plant lists. The ASPCA’s toxic plant list flags apple, crabapples included, as toxic to dogs, cats and horses because of cyanogenic glycosides, compounds that can release cyanide. The entry is specific about where they sit: the stems, leaves and seeds “contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting.” The signs it lists are brick-red gums and other mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting and shock.

The fruit itself is a different story. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that seeds and leaves typically have a higher cyanide-producing potential than the fleshy part of a fruit, and that crushing and chewing are what release them. PetMD says a dog would need to eat a very large quantity of seeds to develop cyanide poisoning, and AKC says a small number of seeds is unlikely to cause harm. Both still say to remove them every time.

Apple cores are tough, difficult to chew, and may become a choking hazard, especially for small dogs.

Hector Joy, DVM, reviewed by Jennifer Coates, DVM, PetMD

The core is the part to take seriously. PetMD adds that large pieces of core can be hard to digest and could contribute to an intestinal blockage, and AKC warns that the tough core and the stem can both choke a dog. If yours swallows a core, watch them closely. Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center lists vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dehydration and lethargy as common signs of a GI obstruction, and calls obstructions emergencies that often need surgery.

How much apple can a dog eat?

PetMD applies the standard rule for every treat: apple should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories, with the other 90% coming from a complete and balanced dog food. AKC’s treat guide explains that the 10% is counted in calories, not in number of pieces, and that it covers every extra, from training treats to table scraps. For a small dog eating about 182 calories a day, AKC’s own example, that leaves only around 18 calories for treats.

PetMD’s veterinarians suggest these daily amounts as a starting guideline, with each piece about 1 inch wide and 1/4 inch thick.

If apple is new to your dog, start below those numbers. PetMD recommends offering a small amount the first time and watching for diarrhea, gas or stomach discomfort before working up, and AKC notes that too much apple can cause a bellyache or diarrhea. Ask your vet about portions if your dog is overweight or has a health condition.

How to prepare apples for your dog

Wash and scrub the apple first, since AKC notes that some supermarket apples are treated with pesticides. Then remove the core, seeds and stem, and cut the apple into slices or small cubes that are easy to chew. Peeling is optional: the skin holds extra fiber, but PetMD says dogs with sensitive stomachs may handle peeled apple better.

Puppies can have apple too. AKC suggests starting with a single small slice or cube, watching for an allergic reaction or an upset stomach, and stopping and calling your vet if problems show up.

Serve it fresh as a crunchy training reward, chop a little into dinner as a topper, or try PetMD’s frozen version: blend apple with other dog-safe fruit like banana, blueberries or strawberries, pack it into a KONG and freeze. For homemade apple chips, AKC suggests baking thin, cored apple slices at 200°F for about two hours, until completely crisp.

What about applesauce, apple chips and apple pie?

Processed apple products are where the real risks hide. AKC says plain applesauce is safe but that applesauce generally includes added sugar, so choose unsweetened. PetMD draws a firmer line: skip any applesauce with added sugar, spices, preservatives or artificial sweeteners such as xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.

Xylitol is the ingredient to check every label for. The FDA notes that it also goes by wood sugar, birch sugar and birch bark extract, turns up in sugar-free desserts, candy, jams and nut butters, and can cause vomiting, weakness, collapse, trouble walking or standing, seizures, liver failure and bleeding problems. If a sugar-free apple product lists it, don’t wait for symptoms: the FDA says to call your vet, an emergency clinic or an animal poison control center right away.

Dried apples and chips call for smaller portions than fresh. PetMD explains that dehydrating concentrates the natural sugar, and it says to avoid store-bought dried apples with added sugar, preservatives or other unsuitable ingredients. We’d make our own from plain apple using AKC’s low-oven method above.

Apple pie is a no. AKC says the added sugar and golden crust are too much for dogs, and the spices add another wrinkle: nutmeg contains a toxin called myristicin, which might cause mild stomach upset in small doses, according to the Pet Poison Helpline as cited by AKC. Pumpkin season raises the same questions about pie filling, and our guide to feeding dogs pumpkin covers which kind is safe.

Fallen apples, orchards and apple-picking season

Fall adds a hazard you won’t find in the fruit bowl: windfalls. Apples that drop and sit on the ground start to rot, and a 2016 review in Frontiers in Veterinary Science lists rotten apples among the reported causes of alcohol (ethanol) poisoning in dogs, alongside raw bread dough. The authors note that signs usually appear within an hour of eating and include a dull, wobbly, sleepy dog with a low body temperature.

One case in that review shows how far it can go. A dog that ate a massive amount of rotten apples developed vomiting, incoordination, tremors and dehydration and died 48 hours later, and the authors suspected that liver damage from eating rotten apples over a longer period played a part. It’s an extreme case, but it’s the reason a dog shouldn’t have free run of an orchard floor or the ground under a backyard tree.

The tree matters too. The ASPCA’s warning that apple stems, leaves and seeds are especially toxic as they wilt applies to the leaves and pruned branches that pile up under a tree in autumn, and its listing covers crabapples as well. Rake up windfalls and leaf piles where your dog plays, and run through our list of fall plants and yard hazards for dogs while you’re at it.

Taking your dog apple picking? Keep them leashed between the rows so they can’t graze on windfalls, and wash anything you share. A busy orchard full of people and smells is an easy place for a dog to slip away, so check that their ID tag has a number that still reaches you.

When to call the vet or poison control

Eating too much apple can cause gas, a bellyache or diarrhea, according to PetMD and AKC. These situations are different and call for a phone call: your dog ate a pile of seeds, stems or leaves, swallowed a whole core (especially a small dog), got into rotting windfalls, or ate any apple product that contains xylitol.

ASPCA Poison Control is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply), or call your own vet. Have the label or a photo of what your dog ate, plus your best guess at how much, ready when you call.

For the full list of toxic foods, see our guide to foods dogs can’t eat. If your dog is already throwing up, our guide to why dogs vomit explains when it’s an emergency.

Frequently asked questions