Apples are tasty low-calorie fruits. They contain a range of nutrients that can be beneficial for the health of dogs, . However, you have to be careful before you feed an apple to dogs as not every part of this fruit is safe to eat.
This brings us to our question of the day: Can dogs eat apple cores? The answer is No!
The core can be a choking hazard to dogs, plus there are seeds that contain a very small amount of a poisonous chemical called Cyanide. If your dog chews on the core, there’s a good chance of swallowing some seeds too.
Here’s everything you need to know about apple cores and seeds and their harmful effects on your dog’s health.
Why Can’t Dogs Eat Apple Cores?
Eating apple cores may lead your dog to choke which is a life-threatening situation. The tough center of the apples is hard for dogs to chew. There are high chances of your dog choking if they gulp down the core. Some of the signs that your dog is choking are:
- Lots of drooling
- Coughing with sounds of getting gagged
- Difficulty in breathing
- Signs of panic such as excessive pawing at the mouth and panting.
Remember, CHOKING IS AN EMERGENCY. If you find your dog choking on apple cores or any other foreign object, contact your vet immediately. Your dog can collapse and get unconscious if they don’t receive immediate treatment.
Can Dogs Eat Apple Seeds?
No. Dogs cannot eat apple seeds.
The human body produces enough enzymes to detoxify the amount of cyanide present in the apple seeds, but it can be a risk to a dog’s health. Here’s something about cyanide that can help us understand this toxic chemical better.
About Cyanide
Cyanide is a rapidly acting and potentially deadly chemical compound. It contains the cyano group, which consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom (C≡N). This chemical can be found in natural plants and plant-based foods such as almonds, lima beans, and cassava. It can also be found in pits and seeds of fruits such as apples, peaches, and apricots.
Symptoms of Cyanide Poisoning in Dogs
It is very rare for healthy dogs to get cyanide poisoning through apple seeds as the amount of cyanide is very low. However, if dogs are old, or have a liver condition, apple seeds can be harmful to their health in the long run.
Some of the symptoms of cyanide poisoning in dogs are:
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Rapid breathing
- Increased heartbeat
If immediate veterinary care is not provided, the dog can suffer from seizure and cardiac arrest.
Cyanide poisoning isn’t the result of ingesting few apple seeds. Over time, the chemical from multiple apple seeds may accumulate in the dog’s body which will then result in the risk of poisoning. Therefore, it is best to remove apple seeds from the day you introduce this fruit to your dog!
How To Safely Feed Apple To Dogs
1) If you have a small dog, cut the apple into four parts and remove the core from each section.
2) If you have a large dog, give them one of the apple quarters with the core removed.
3) Do not feed your dog any part of an apple that is rotten or soft.
4) Check for signs of irritation inside your dog’s mouth before feeding them an apple. Signs of mouth irritation include drooling, difficulty swallowing, and redness around their mouth.
5) Apple seeds contain a substance called amygdalin and cyanide in the stems and leaves. They cannot eat these parts without serious discomfort or even death.
6) Never give your dog any type of apple that has been treated with any type of pesticide
For more information about feeding apples to dogs, check out our article ‘Can dogs eat apples?’
Conclusion
So, can dogs eat apple cores? No.
It might seem unlikely, but all dogs have the same digestive system as humans and are unable to digest certain foods such as apple cores. They can choke to death, so you need to be careful not to leave any dices lying around the house. Apple cores also contain seeds that on the other hand are not recommended for your dog since they contain trace amounts of cyanide.
Thankyou for reading the article!
Here are some more apple-related dog articles if you’re interested.
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