Does your puppy enjoy a piece of sweet apple from time to time? Apples are a delicious and nutritious snack that’s very healthy for your dog. But can dogs drink apple juice? Let’s see how the refreshing beverage affects your pet so you can make the right decision.
We’ll tell you everything you should know about apple juice and dogs, including:
- Apple — A Nutritious Fruit or a Harmful Treat?
- Apple Juice — What Is It Made Of?
- Finally Revealed: Can Dogs Drink Apple Juice?
- Apple Cider — Yay or Nay?
- Stay Away From Grape Juice
- Stick to Water
Apple — A Nutritious Fruit or a Harmful Treat?
Apples are among the most popular fruits worldwide, especially in temperate climates. They contain a high amount of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. And if you’re having this fruity snack, you might be tempted to give your puppy a slice or two. But is an apple ok for dogs?
Dogs can get the same health benefits from apples as humans. Remember they must eat fruits in moderation, even healthy ones like apples.
What About Apples’ Seeds?
You should prepare apples appropriately before feeding them to your pet. The seeds contain traces of cyanide, making apple seeds bad for dogs. Ingestion can lead to vomiting, heavy panting, respiratory issues, and bright red-colored gums.
The leaves and stems can also contain detrimental toxins. If your dog has consumed any of these, you should immediately take it to the vet.
Apple Juice — What Is It Made Of?
As a dog owner, you may be asking yourself, “Is apple juice good for dogs?”. Most types contain 88% water, but many commercial brands add sugar, corn syrup, and artificial ingredients. Some also put in extra vitamins or flavors to enhance the drinking experience. The more ingredients you see on the label, the less healthy the juice is. So it’d be best if you read the label carefully before offering apple juice to your dog.
Finally Revealed: Can Dogs Drink Apple Juice?
The answer is yes. A little apple juice won’t hurt your dog. The antioxidants in it might actually benefit your pet. But you should consider a few things before making it a regular part of your dog’s diet.
First, it’s best to make the apple juice yourself, but don’t add any sugar. Also, remember to give only a tiny amount to your dog. After your pet enjoys the treat, make sure to brush its teeth. There’s still natural sugar in the juice that can harm its teeth.
The Positives
Can dogs drink apple juice and receive health benefits? Yes. Still, keep in mind that you shouldn’t give it to your dog instead of water. Here’s how apple juice can benefit your pet:
- Vitamin C: Apple juice contains a high amount of vitamin C. It’s synthesized in the dog’s liver and widely distributed through body tissues. That’s a powerful natural antioxidant that can help boost your pet’s resistance to infections and reduce harmful free radicals. You can also try pineapple for dogs to increase your pet’s vitamin C intake.
- Cures mild constipation: Can dogs drink apple juice for constipation? Yes, it has a very mild laxative effect. Apple juice is among the natural remedies for constipation in dogs because it has a relatively high ratio of fructose to glucose and sorbitol content. Apple cider vinegar is also beneficial for all types of digestive issues.
- Iron: Apple juice is a good source of iron for dogs. It helps with red blood cell production and aids the cells in carrying more oxygen. Dogs with an iron deficiency can suffer from weakness, lethargy, pale gums, and rapid breathing.
The Negatives
Is apple juice bad for dogs? If you want to reward or treat your pet with apple juice, you must know all the possible negative effects. Here’s a complete list of the dangers:
- Obesity: Can dogs drink homemade apple juice? Even though homemade juice is safer, it still contains a lot of sugar. Letting your dog drink too much of it can lead to weight gain, diabetes, and tooth problems. Still, if given in moderation, the natural fruit sugars don’t upset the stomach.
- Diarrhea: Do apples give dogs diarrhea? While their juice doesn’t taste very acidic, it retains the raw apple acids. Some dogs might be sensitive to that and develop diarrhea or vomiting.
- Additives: Some brands contain additives that can be harmful to your dog. For example, artificial sweeteners, like xylitol, can cause poisoning. So always read over the ingredients list carefully before serving it to your dog.
- Allergies: Is apple juice safe for dogs? Note that some dogs can be allergic to apple juice. Even though such reactions are rare, they still happen. After giving your dog apple juice, watch out for any warning signs like difficulty breathing, hives, swelling, coughing, or vomiting.
Apple Cider — Yay or Nay?
Due to its numerous health benefits, apple cider vinegar has become an irreplaceable part of our cuisine, medicine, and cosmetics. But can dogs have apple cider? Fortunately, it’s safe for your pet if you use the correct dosage.
Cailin Heinze, VMD reports that giving your dog a teaspoon or two of diluted apple cider vinegar won’t cause any harm. That said, increasing the amount or giving it to your pet undiluted can cause health issues. Nevertheless, with its essential vitamins, minerals, and gut-friendly bacteria, all-natural apple cider vinegar can have many benefits for dogs. It promotes digestion and supports the immune system.
Stay Away From Grape Juice
Can dogs drink fruit juice? There’s no short answer to that question. While some natural juices might not harm your pet, others are toxic.
Anything that comes from grapes, including wine, raisins, and juice, is a bad idea to give to your dog. Also, grape juice is concentrated and can cause a more severe effect than grapes alone. It’s often full of sugars, coloring, and flavorings, which aren’t healthy for your dog.
Most fruit juices aren’t bad for your pet, but you should still be careful with the amount. Also, it’s better for your dog to consume fruit pieces as snacks instead of juice. And if you’re looking for an easy way to provide your pet with all the necessary vitamins, you can mix liquid dog vitamins with its food.
Stick to Water
Some dog owners might want to spice things up by giving their dog something interesting to drink, either for fun or as a nice treat. But while an apple is ok for dogs, it’s crucial to be careful with such experiments. After all, dogs have a very different biological system than us.
Water is as vital to a dog’s survival as ours. 60–70% of your pet’s body weight is water. Also, dogs need different amounts of water based on their weight and food. To help your dog maintain healthy hydration, ensure it always has access to fresh water in a clean bowl.
If your dog isn’t drinking enough water, even with recommended wet dog food, add a tablespoon of water to it and mix it in well. That’s an easy way to increase your pet’s daily water intake.
Conclusion
Your dog can have a little bit of apple juice as long as it’s homemade and 100% natural, without additives and sweeteners. If your dog loves the taste, consider offering it fresh apples instead. They contain more fiber and less sugar. Also, ensure to remove the seeds, stems, and leaves.
So can dogs drink apple juice? Like all things in life, moderation is essential. We don’t recommend replacing a part of your dog’s diet with apples or apple juice.
