If you are a dog owner, you would know that having a pet means you need to be ready to tackle enormous responsibilities. Such duties include providing a sanctuary and personal space to your dog, walking it, keeping it entertained and, most importantly, taking care of its health.
It is your absolute duty to ensure that your pet is as healthy as possible. By taking care of your dog’s dietary and nutritional needs, you can guarantee that your pet leads a long and healthy life.
Everyone has heard the cliché saying, “An apple a day keeps a doctor away.” Only a few know that this is mildly right for a dog too. While it may not keep a vet away on its own, when accompanied with other nutritional food, apple plays a crucial part in making a dog healthy.
Many vets consider apples to be a healthy product. Various pet owners are unaware of the fact that dogs can eat apples. We are here to tell you that they can and that such fruit has numerous advantages in regards to health and dental hygiene.
Benefits of apples
Apples not only serve to be a crunchy treat for your beloved pet, but they are also a fruit which is packed with various benefits. Such benefits, when added to their delicious taste, have made these fruits a favorite natural treat amongst both dogs and their owners.
Here are some of the benefits of feeding an apple to your dog.
Source of vitamins
They serve as a source of vitamins A and C. Just like humans, dogs also require a regular intake of vitamins to stay healthy. Apples contain such beneficial elements in a generous amount. Vitamin C ensures that the muscles and bones of your dog develop properly, while vitamin A guarantees a healthier and glossier skin and coat of your dog and aids in strengthening its immune system.
However, caution must be taken about the number of apples fed to the dog. Too much intake of vitamin A can lead to the buildup of toxins. Therefore, make sure you feed apples at a moderate level.
Curing constipation
Does your dog suffer from constipation? Do you want a natural remedy to such an issue? If so, apples will prove to be a blessing for you and your dog as they include a considerably high amount of fiber. It is reported that an average apple has around 4 grams of fiber.
Such an intake of fiber will ensure that your dog successfully avoids constipation and digestive issues. Remember, when you introduce an apple to your dog’s diet, do so at a slow rate. Such an act allows your dog’s body to adapt to the high intake of fiber.
Lack of fat
If you feel that your dog is overweight, you will be pleased to know that apples tackle this issue too. Since these fruits are low in fat and calories, they are a healthier option compared to meat and other dog food. Adding such food to your dog’s life will improve it for the better.
However, it is equally important to take care of the dietary need of protein in your dog. Don’t rely on solely apples to provide your pet with all its nutritional needs.
Improving gastrointestinal health
Apart from including an abundance of healthy vitamins, apples are also accompanied with an abundance of antioxidants. Antioxidants, which is an umbrella term for various minerals and vitamins, play an integral part in protecting cells from damage.
Such antioxidants have various health benefits, which include improvement in eyesight, development of bones, strengthening of the immune system, and prevention of various chronic diseases.
Improved dental health
Img Source: hearstapps.comDogs love to chew on things. That is why dental chews have been so successful in making sure that your dog’s teeth are always clean. Apples act as a natural chew. When the hard surface of apple rubs against your dog’s teeth, it ensures the removal of plaque and tartar, thereby keeping its teeth clean.
Things to watch out for in apples
Nothing is perfect. Even the best of things have certain disadvantages. The same goes for apple. While there are various advantages of feeding your dog an apple, you need to avoid certain things.
Firstly, do not feed your dog the seeds of an apple. Make sure you remove them all before you offer this crunchy treat for your dog to devour upon. It is because seeds, when eaten in a high quantity, can cause stomach problems. Avoid such issues by removing the seeds.
Furthermore, do not give your dog an apple with the core still inside it. It is because when ingested, the core can cause a choking hazard. Many think that the core acts as a chew for dogs, but this notion is wrong and can lead to dangerous results. Rely on dental chews and toys to satisfy your dog’s gnawing needs, and do not expose it to possible choking hazards.
Also, make sure your dog is not allergic to apples. You wouldn’t want your dog to get sick. Therefore, before introducing apples as a staple, it is best to give your dog a small piece of an apple once and see whether it has any adverse effects.
Ensure that you do not overdo it. Don’t feed too many apples to your dog. While it is a healthy treat, it cannot be served as a substitute for meat or other healthy dog food. When given in moderation, they can prove to be beneficial.
Conclusion
All in all, you can feed your dogs an apple. Not only can they eat it, but they will also enjoy it. It quenches their thirst for crunchy food and will provide an ample amount of health-related benefits.
You may wonder about the correct way of feeding apples to your dog. You can give apples in the form of slices or cook something up like an apple pretzel. There are various dog-friendly recipes you can read online.
Ensure your dog is looked after in all the ways possible. Provide your loyal friend with food that satisfies its dietary requirement, and be a responsible pet owner. Change your pet’s life for the better.
