One of the most commonly asked questions by a fruit lover who also happens to have a Pug is “can my Pug eat apples?”
Apples are tasty, crunchy, and juicy. But do they pose any threat when eaten by dogs?
Apples are one of the most popular fruits of all time. It is sweet and tasty. And dogs are smart enough to know that you are enjoying that juicy slice of apple while you’re sitting on the sofa.
We’ll just assume that your dog is staring at you with longing eyes as you bite into the fruit. In this article, we will discuss can pugs eat apples and what will be their effect if eaten by dogs.
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Can Pugs Eat Apples?
Yes, Pugs can eat apples. Apples are highly nutritious and are a good fruit to be included as treats.
Fruits and vegetables can be considered as a staple part when talking about a pug’s diet. Fresh fruits and veggies are a terrific way of filling them up without needlessly adding calories. This helps keep your dog’s weight down.
Despite its taste and all the benefits that the fruit offers, it is still important to give it to your pug in moderation.
At What Age Can Pugs Eat Apples?
You can start feeding apples to your Pug as early as they reach one month old. Puppies grow fast and need extra nutrients for their developing bones, muscles, and organs.
However, you need to consider that fruits should be given in moderation and not as their main meal. This said you can only give 1-2 slices of apples to your puppy as a delicious and nutritious snack.
You want to know: What do pugs eat?
Benefits of Apples To Dogs
The English aphorism “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is a widely accepted fact. Eat nutritious foods and you won’t have to see the doctor as often. Turns out that this applies to dogs, too.
Here are some of the good things you’ll reap if you feed apples to your pug.
- Keep your dog’s mouth clean and fresh: Apples have a fibrous texture. When eaten by a dog, an apple’s skin stimulates the gums, reduces cavity-causing germs, and increases saliva flow.
It also acts just like a toothbrush and removes plaque that is inserted between the teeth. This gives them more favorable dental health and fresher breath.
- Good source of fiber: Apples are rich in Pectin. It is a type of fiber found in the cell walls of plants that gives the fruit its structure. Pectin is known for keeping the guts clean and making sure your bowels pass along smoothly.
Aside from that, it may also lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Rich in nutrients and minerals: Apples are a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K. They are also a good source of Calories, Carbohydrates, and Potassium. Furthermore, apples are rich in antioxidants that help prevent cancer and any symptoms of joint disease.
How to Serve Apple to Your Pug
While apples may be highly beneficial to your Pug, you cannot just give away the whole fruit. The main things you need to watch out for are the apple’s seeds and cores.
The seeds contain minute amounts of cyanide which is highly poisonous. While they need to be ingested in huge amounts, the trouble of removing the seeds isn’t worth the risk of potentially harming your dog.
The core is also firm and most dogs find it hard to chew. Because of this, it may cause choking or even cause gastrointestinal blockage if swallowed.
To prevent any of these from happening, make sure to do the following steps before giving a slice of apple to your dog.
- Make sure to clean the apple with water. If the fruits aren’t organic, make sure to soak them in baking soda solutions for at least 12 minutes to remove any traces of pesticides.
- Afterward, peel most of the skin off as the skin might be difficult for your dogs to swallow. However, you may leave a little bit of it on to assist in cleaning your dog’s mouth.
- Lastly, cut the apple into thin slices and make sure to remove all of the seeds and the core to prevent any injuries to your dog.
Alternatives to Apples
If you run out of apples or you want to feed your dog a variety of fruits, here are some other fruits to consider:
- Blackberry
- Raspberry
- Watermelon
- Papaya
- Strawberry
- Pomegranate
- Pineapple
- Cranberry
Conclusion
Your pugs can safely eat Apple. The fruit is not only a tasty and highly enjoyable treat, but they are also highly beneficial to your dog’s well-being as well. They are rich in fiber and filled with a bountiful combination of vitamins and minerals.
However, the same as every fruit out there, apples should be given in moderation. Hence, if you follow everything written in this article, you should face no problem when sharing a slice of apple with your dog.