Many people regularly feed their pets human treats. Unfortunately, many human foods are not suitable for canine consumption.
The obvious no-nos include chocolate and alcohol, but what about healthier sweets like applesauce?
Can you feed applesauce to a dog? Although feeding your dog applesauce on a regular basis may not be harmful, it may be too acidic for their stomachs.
It’s fine to occasionally feed your dog applesauce or use it in dog treat recipes as long as the applesauce doesn’t contain any added sugars, cinnamon, or fruit mixtures that are harmful to dogs.
Applesauce, in moderation, is a nutritious treat that can help your dog’s digestion and provide a nutritional boost.
If you’re considering giving your dog applesauce as a treat but are concerned about whether or not it’s safe and need guidance on how much to give, keep reading.
Is Applesauce Good for Dogs?
Since apples are the main ingredient in applesauce, it is generally considered safe for dogs to eat.
applesauce is simply apples that have been pureed, but the commercial varieties often include unhealthy additives like sugar and food coloring.
Apples contain a wide variety of useful nutrients, some of which have been linked to the prevention or treatment of serious illnesses.
But you have to be careful about how much and what kinds of flavors you give your dog, as too much of that healing potion could have the opposite effect.
Benefits of Applesauce for Dogs
The many positive effects of feeding your dog apples or applesauce are listed below.
- Reduced sodium, fat, and calorie content
- Antioxidant-rich, so it should help stave off damage from free radicals.
- contains high levels of calcium and phosphorus, which contribute to healthy hair, skin, and nails.
- They may also have prebiotic effects due to their high soluble fiber content, which aids digestion (especially in preventing constipation and diarrhea).
- Degenerative diseases, such as those affecting the joints, can benefit from vitamin C.
- Healthy hair and skin start with vitamin A.
- Possibility of enhanced cognitive and cardiovascular performance
- aid in weight loss (only whole apples, please).
- Pectin, which was present, is known to reduce cholesterol.
- Curb your chances of developing diabetes.
You can find around 25 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, and 95 calories in a single medium apple (6.4 ounces). The type of apple you use could have an effect on this.
In contrast, if you peel the skin off an apple, you’ll get less than half the amount of fiber and a fraction of the nutritional value. So why is it that the peel contains more nutrients than the inside?
The skin has been shown to contain up to 300 times more antioxidants than the flesh.
This is crucial in preventing the fruit from being contaminated by harmful bacteria and fungi in the air.
These measures will also prevent the fruit from deteriorating due to airborne oxidation (enzymatic browning).
Nothing prevents the exposed plant tissue from quickly turning brown after being cut, as seen when an apple is split open.
Applesauce Ingredients To Avoid
Applesauce may not be completely safe for canines because it may contain sugar or other ingredients that are bad for them. If you want to keep your dog healthy, you shouldn’t give him applesauce that contains sugar, raisins, or cinnamon.
- Cinnamon
- Sugar
- Man-made sweeteners
- Man-made preservation aids
- Additional Fruit Flavorings
Is Applesauce Safe for Dogs?
A lot of the foods we eat contain ingredients that are bad for dogs, so it’s best to keep them away from them. In small amounts, plain, unsweetened applesauce can be fed to dogs without risk.
How To Feed Applesauce to Your Dog
There are a few options if you want to give your dog applesauce. Directly feeding your dog apple sauce is fine as long as it doesn’t contain anything bad for them.
Applesauce can be added to dog food if your pet won’t eat it on its own. Applesauce is a great ingredient for homemade dog treats and food.
Applesauce is used as a binder to keep the food from falling apart, and it also adds a tasty acidic and sweet flavor that dogs enjoy.
How Much Applesauce Can I Feed My Dog?
Applesauce, like other fruit-containing products, is best reserved as a special treat for your dog once in a while.
If consumed in large quantities, it may lead to digestive problems.
Five percent of your dog’s diet should consist of applesauce. Don’t give it food every day, save it for special occasions.
You can also give your dog fresh apples, but remove the core and seeds because they contain amygdalin, a compound made of sugar and cyanide that is toxic to dogs.
An apple can be a healthy addition to your dog’s diet or a refreshing summertime treat if you slice it up and refrigerate it.
In my spare time, I enjoy making apple chews from scratch. These require only apples and are incredibly easy to make.
You need to slice them thinly, lay them out on a baking sheet, and bake them at 210 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius) for 2 hours, turning them over once.
Is Applesauce Good for Dog’s Upset Stomach?
If your dog has an upset stomach, try giving them some applesauce. Pectin, found in apple sauce, has been shown to alleviate diarrhea and stomach pain.
It also has the added benefit of easing both nausea and bowel obstruction.
Applesauce for Dog’s Diarrhea
Applesauce can be given to a dog with diarrhea to help his stools become more solid. Constipation and abdominal pain can be alleviated with the help of pectin and soluble fiber, which also makes stools more solid.
Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon Applesauce?
Dogs can safely eat cinnamon and applesauce together because neither is toxic, but commercially available cinnamon applesauce typically contains sugar and other additives.
The health benefits of cinnamon extend to both humans and dogs. Pain in the joints, inflammation, and swelling can all benefit from its anti-inflammatory properties.
By reducing the rate at which sugar is absorbed, it can also help keep your dog’s blood sugar and insulin levels stable.
The applesauce will have a nice flavor with just 1/8 teaspoon for every 15 pounds of body weight.
The powdered cinnamon can cause severe irritation to their lungs and mouth, so be sure to mix it in well with the applesauce.
You should also keep in mind that feeding your dog cinnamon sticks could cause stomach problems.
Can Dogs Eat Strawberry Applesauce?
You can make your dog’s applesauce even more nutritious by adding some fresh strawberries to it.
Benefit-wise, strawberries are very similar to apples.
Because of their low calorie count, high fiber content, antioxidants, and vitamin C content, these treats are great for boosting your dog’s immune system and keeping his weight in check.
However, commercial strawberry-flavored apple sauces tend to be overly sweet, so we advise you to make your own using the method outlined below.
In the end, pureed strawberries are an easy addition.
Blueberries, mango, pineapple, peach, and raspberries are all fine additions to homemade applesauce.
Can Dogs Eat Mott’s Applesauce?
Take a look at the label to find out if Mott’s applesauce is safe for your dog to eat before you give him a spoonful.
Apples, high fructose corn syrup, water, and Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) are the main ingredients in Mott’s applesauce.
What does this mean, exactly? Artificial sugars derived from corn syrup are known as high-fructose corn syrup.
Obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease are just some of the possible side effects of consuming this ingredient.
There is evidence that HFCS consumption can increase inflammation, which in turn can contribute to more serious health problems like cancer and heart disease.
Ascorbic acid can cause diarrhea in both dogs and humans when consumed in excessive amounts.
To supplement your dog’s diet with vitamin C, select mineral ascorbates because they are readily absorbed by his body.
Since Mott’s applesauce is high in sugar and most dogs don’t need any more vitamin C in their diet, we wouldn’t suggest giving it to your pet.
Can Puppies Eat Applesauce?
It’s okay to feed puppies a small amount of applesauce. Weaned puppies who are eating kibble on their own can have applesauce.
If you want to make sure your puppy can handle it, start with small amounts.
Can Dogs Eat Unsweetened Applesauce?
Unsweetened applesauce is safe for dogs to eat as long as it doesn’t contain any other potentially harmful ingredients.
No sugar or artificial sweeteners were used in the preparation of this unsweetened applesauce.
However, it may occasionally include spices, preservatives, or even other fruits like raisins that are not suitable for canines.
If you’re going to feed your dog applesauce, read the label to make sure it’s made with only dog-friendly ingredients.
Can Dogs Eat Applesauce With Cinnamon?
Applesauce containing cinnamon is toxic to canines. The canine digestive system may not be able to handle cinnamon, but even in small amounts, it can cause problems.
They may experience extreme dryness of the mouth and nose as a result. In addition, it raises the risk of hypertension, arrhythmia, and convulsions.
The spice cinnamon can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction in some dogs. A dog should not be fed applesauce flavored with cinnamon.
Homemade Applesauce for Dogs
Homemade applesauce is the safest and healthiest option, and it’s simple to prepare for both you and your dog.
Only 3 pounds of apples (any variety or a combination) plus 1/2 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon are required.
In a large pot, combine the apple slices and carefully cored (so that no seeds remain) apples with the remaining ingredients.
Prepare them for 20 minutes over a moderate flame.
Simply throw them in a blender to puree and set the desired consistency of the applesauce.
Another option is 1 teaspoon of honey, which is just as safe for dogs as the cinnamon.
Best Unsweetened Applesauce
Thankfully, many of the apple sauce brands sold in stores and online, including popular ones like GoGo squeeZ, Mott’s, and Santa Cruz, are available in unsweetened varieties.
As our top pick, Eden organic applesauce has been carefully considered.
Apples are the only ingredient in this 100% organic, sugar-free apple juice.
If you can’t find this anywhere, including on the internet, then you can also use Mott’s unsweetened applesauce.
What Is the Best Applesauce for Dogs?
Homemade applesauce is ideal for canine consumption. You can determine the safety of the food for your dog by preparing it yourself.
Feed your dog only organic applesauce that has been prepared without any added sugar, honey, or spices if you must feed him already-made applesauce.
FAQs
Can Dogs Eat Apple Skin?
It’s possible that apple skins, when given in moderation and chopped up to prevent choking, are safe for dogs to eat.
The fiber and vitamin A and C in apple skins make them a useful digestive aid.
Can Dogs Eat Apple Pie?
It’s not good for dogs to eat apple pie because it contains many ingredients they shouldn’t. The high amounts of butter and sugar in the pie crust and filling can be extremely harmful to a dog’s health.
Apple pie spices like cinnamon and nutmeg can also trigger anaphylaxis in dogs. If you have a dog, don’t feed it apple pie.
Wrapping It Up
As long as it is fed in moderation and does not contain any ingredients that are considered harmful to dogs, applesauce can be a safe snack for dogs.
If you’re feeding your dog something new, keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t have an adverse reaction.