Dogs can eat applesauce. It's normal to want to share a delicious snack with your dog. However, given the many varieties available, you should be careful about what you give your dog. As long as the applesauce doesn't contain harmful additives, your dog can eat it.

Applesauce is simply sauce made using apples. The sauce can be made in many ways, such as using unpeeled apples and spices. Sweaters like honey and sugar or flavorings are commonly added, introducing risks when dogs consume the sauce. In a nutshell, it matters how applesauce is made before you can decide whether it is bad or good for dogs.

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• How is it made?
• Types
• Health benefits
• Preparation tips
• Risks
• Homemade recipes
• Can my puppy eat it?
• Summary

How Is It Made?

Traditionally made applesauce is made by mixing apples and water/apple cider then heating the mixture before adding lemon juice and some honey or sugar. Some spices can also be added. Some people add other fruits to add more flavors. Applesauce can also be made by blending the above mixture of ingredients.

Types Of Applesauce

Applesauce is categorized based on different things, such as the apples used to the flavors. Given there are thousands of apple varieties today, there are very many types of applesauce without even considering the number of additives used to make applesauce today.

It's not advisable to give your dog applesauce without making sure it doesn't contain harmful additives. There are many foods consumed by humans that are harmful to dogs. Most spices found in many types of applesauce are harmful to dogs. Although applesauce is eaten with many human foods and makes a great and delicious dog treat, its composition matters.

What Are The Health Benefits?

While the nutritional benefits may vary slightly depending on how it’s made, applesauce that is 100% safe for dogs (no spices or harmful/chemical additives) will contain apples which translates to a lot of dietary fiber, Vitamin C, Calcium, and Phosphorous.

You should feed your dog applesauce (unsweetened applesauce) to avoid the health risks posed by too much sugar. Here’s a summary of the health benefits dogs stand to enjoy from eating unsweetened applesauce free of harmful additives.

I. Applesauce's main ingredient - apples are rich in soluble fiber, which is great for your dog's digestive system. Dietary fiber prevents constipation and diarrhea.

II. It is rich in Vitamin C, a critical antioxidant that reduces inflammation as well as cognitive aging in dogs. Applesauce is packed with antioxidants that protect the overall health of dogs. Antioxidants fight free-radical damage responsible for deteriorating bone and eye health, among other conditions common in dogs.

III. Applesauce is rich in Vitamin A, which has notable benefits in dogs, such as improving the health of a dog's skin/coat. Vitamin A also boosts a dog's immunity.

IV. It is packed with Calcium, a crucial nutrient for healthy teeth, nails, and bones. Calcium also supports cardiovascular health in dogs.

V. Applesauce also contains Phosphorus, which complements the work of Calcium in a dog's body i.e., supporting bone health in puppies.

Applesauce also makes a great dog treat because the main ingredients (apples) aren’t packed with calories and fat like typical dog snacks. The treat also doubles up as a dog supplement given the high nutrient content.

As mentioned above, the best applesauce for dogs is one that is unsweetened and free of spices and additives that are harmful to dogs. Here are some tips to consider when making applesauce for your dog.

Tips For Preparing And Feeding Applesauce And Apples To Your Dog

Dogs can eat apples, provided you remove the core and seeds. The core introduces choking hazards. It can also expose your dog to poison. When apple seeds are chewed and swallowed, they can cause cyanide poisoning, especially in dogs with liver disease. In healthy dogs, toxins present in food are neutralized by the liver in minutes. You should also remove apple stems and leaves as they can choke small dogs and puppies.

It may also be advisable to peel your apples or feed your dog small slices to avoid choking. When making applesauce, use fresh apples as your main and only ingredient, if possible. Organic apples are the best for obvious reasons. Avoid sweeteners, spices, flavorings, coloring, and any other artificial additives or chemicals as they can harm dogs. What’s more, applesauce shouldn’t be the main dog treat. Vegetables and fruits should be occasional treats for dogs making up just 5% or less of a dog’s daily intake.

The easiest way to prepare an apple snack for your dog is to wash and slice fresh apples minus the core. You can feed your dog apples alone or mix them in dog food. If you want to give your dog a summer treat, serve chilled slices of fresh apples.

Risks Of Feeding Applesauce Or Apples To Dogs

The high fiber content in apples can cause stomach aches or diarrhea when dogs are fed too much applesauce or apples. Although applesauce (which is cooked) has less fiber than raw apples, it's important to give your dog it in moderation. The risks of cyanide poisoning are also present if the apple cores or seeds are present. However, healthy dogs with a properly functioning liver can be able to neutralize toxins such as cyanide.

There's also the risk of poisoning from additives found in most applesauce varieties on sale today. Finding plain applesauce free of additives, spices, and flavoring on sale today is hard. This is mainly because it's made for human consumption. Your dog doesn't need sweeteners and all the other additives present in applesauce. It’s advisable to feed your dog homemade applesauce as opposed to varieties found in stores.

Homemade Recipes For Your Dog

The surest way to avoid spices and harmful additives in applesauce is to make it yourself. You can’t be too careful about the snacks you give your dog. Even if the applesauce is 100% natural, there could still be natural herbs and spices that can irritate your dog.

Will your dog enjoy homemade applesauce? Absolutely! You can get creative to compensate for the additives. For instance, you can make applesauce popsicles to give your dog during a hot afternoon. Provided you make your recipe simple, your dog will enjoy every bit.

i. Applesauce With Organic Apples

Ingredients

To get started, you’ll just need fresh organic apples.

Directions

Step 1: Wash and peel 1 or 2 organic apples

Step 2: Remove the apple cores and cook the apples until they become soft

Step 3: Strain and mash the apples

Step 4: Let them cool down.

Step 5: You can serve chilled in a bowl or make applesauce popsicles.

ii. Applesauce Dog Biscuits

You don’t have to make traditional applesauce for your dog. You can combine some other 100% natural ingredients to make a healthier and tastier snack. Since dogs love biscuits, why not make applesauce dog biscuits?

Ingredients

You’ll need fresh organic apples, whole wheat flour, water, and eggs.

Directions

Step 1: Wash and peel your apples

Step 2: Cook them until they become soft

Step 3: Smash and strain

Step 4: Let the applesauce cool down

Step 5: Add the applesauce and whole wheat flour in a bowl

Step 6: Add water, eggs and mix to form a thick dough

Step 7: Roll out the dough to 0.25-inch thickness and use a cookie cutter or knife to make shapes. You can shape your biscuits to resemble bones. The size of the biscuits should match your dog’s size.

Step 8: Arrange the biscuits on a baking sheet and bake each side for approximately 10 - 15 minutes at 175 degrees Celsius or until the biscuits have a golden brown color.

Step 9: Let the biscuits cool down and serve

You can add ingredients like peanut butter to make peanut butter applesauce biscuits if your dog loves peanut butter.

Can My Puppy Eat Applesauce?

Yes! However, puppies should be fed very tiny amounts of applesauce initially i.e., a teaspoon. If your puppy doesn't develop any negative symptoms like diarrhea, you can increase the amount slightly. Applesauce should be a treat for puppies as opposed to a meal. One or two teaspoons of applesauce or one applesauce dog biscuit is enough per day.

Summary

Absolutely! The main ingredient in applesauce (apples) are highly nutritious. Your dog stands to enjoy many health benefits from eating apples and treats made from apples like applesauce. However, it matters how the applesauce is made.

You should consider homemade applesauce to avoid additives that will do more harm than good to your dog. Your dog doesn't need the kind of applesauce we love. Sweeteners, spices, herbs, flavors, and coloring are potentially dangerous to your dog's healthy. You just need fresh organic apples to make your dog applesauce at home.

If you want to get creative, you can make healthy dog biscuits or cookies using 100% natural ingredients like eggs and peanut butter that dogs love. Lastly, don’t use it as a substitute for healthy meals. Your dog needs properly formulated dog food to get adequate amounts of nutrients.

Related Posts

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The information on this page is not a substitute for veterinary help. Please contact a vet for help with any concerns that you have.