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Don’t you just love crisp, tart apples as a snack? Apples are a wonderful fruit that’s filled with all types of nutrients!
When you’re finished with the apple, what do you do with the core? Do you through into the trash? No problems, that’s where they should go! However, throwing them in the trash means your dog can access it pretty easily.
Some dogs love to dig in the trash for a wide variety of snacks. This can include apple cores. But are apple cores toxic for dogs? Will apple cores make your dog sick?
What’s in an Apple Core?
The answer to that question is pretty straightforward. The core and the seeds what’s in the core! That’s true; however, the seeds themselves contain certain chemicals. One of those is cyanide.
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Cyanide is a very deadly poison, which can kill within minutes. It’s one of the strongest poisons around. It’s been used for mass suicide, chemical warfare, and more. Cyanide is not just one chemical, but a compound of substances.
Some fruits contain cyanide such as pits, apples, pears, and more.
Apple Core, Seeds & Dogs
That last part was a little bit scary we understand. But please read on!
When a dog eats the core of an apple, the sharp, hard parts can be dangerous for them. This can cause a lot of internal damage and could even lead to death. Choking hazard is another risk, so it’s important to take precautions.
On the other hand, apple cores are a natural source of nutrients for your dog. The fiber is great for digestion and helps prevent hairballs. Plus, the vitamins and minerals are great for your dog’s health and energy levels.
While cyanide is toxic and bad for dogs, the seeds and the apple cores are quite safe for your dog. The cyanide levels in apple seeds is really quite low. If your dog has eaten 10 apple cores, he’ll be OK. Though he may have some vomiting and diarrhea from eating too many apple cores at one time.
How many apple seeds could be toxic to your dog? Consider this, a medium-sized dog would have to eat 85 grams of apple seeds. Then he would need to completely chew them, and only then would he have a toxic dose. The apple seeds in one apple will come to about 0.4 grams. Your dog would have to eat up to 200 or more apple cores & seeds to be poisoned!
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Ask a Vet Live NowCyanide Poisoning
Cyanide is a very deadly poison, which can kill within minutes. It’s one of the strongest poisons around. It’s been used for mass suicide, chemical warfare, and more. Cyanide is not just one chemical, but a compound of substances.
Hydrogen cyanide is the main component of cyanide. It’s colorless, tasteless, and can be taken up by the body very quickly. However, you will only find a small amounts of cyanide in apple cores. A blockage in the stomach or intestine is a serious health risk. If your dog ingests enough cyanide, it can result in liver failure, kidney failure, and cardiac arrest.
You should never feed your dog apple cores or any fruit containing a large amount of cyanide. Dog owners should be aware of difficulty breathing, upset stomach, dizziness, and weakness. If you see any of these symptoms, immediately contact your veterinarian.
Apples and Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions are a common problem for dogs. Sometimes, allergic reactions are not caused by the actual apple itself, but by other foods that your dog may have eaten or been exposed to in the past. Allergic reactions can cause skin rashes, itchiness, vomiting, diarrhea, and even more serious symptoms.
Giving your pooch a lot of apples could lead to a serious allergic reaction. Avoid giving your dog apples unless you are sure that they are not causing an allergic reaction.
Can cyanide Accumulate in Your Dog’s System?
The answer is no. This is because cyanide is quickly absorbed into the system and it has a half-life of about 10-30 minutes. So, even if your dog has eaten many apple cores & seeds (under 200!), then his liver will take care of removing the tiny amount of cyanide from his system.
So, if your dog has raided the wastebasket for those cores you threw away, don’t worry. As long as there aren’t 200 cores, your fur baby will be OK!
The Health Benefits of Apples
Before we get into the best way to feed your dog an apple core, let’s take a look at the many health benefits of apples. Apples are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, antioxidants, Vitamin A, potassium, fiber, and more. There are many different varieties of apples, and each has a different nutritional profile. Apples are low in calories and have no fat or cholesterol. They are a good source of dietary fiber and help maintain a healthy digestive system.
Healthy dogs need a good source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a great antioxidant that can help maintain your dog’s skin healthy and help prevent against cancer. Vitamin C also helps keep your dog’s immune system strong. A dog’s diet should have a balance of fat and protein, as well as a balanced amount of carbohydrates and fiber. Feeding your dog a balanced diet will help maintain their energy levels, provide the proper nutrition for their organs, and keep them in top shape.
Applesauce and apple slices are very good for dogs, but they are not considered a complete dog’s diet. There are also some dog foods that contain apple as a primary ingredient. Dog treats, such as fruit-flavored or peanut butter dog treats, are another great way to feed your dog.
A whole apple is a healthy treat for your pooch. The texture is crunchy and the apple provides a good amount of fiber. If you do choose to feed your dog an apple, you will want to be sure that it is an organic, non-GMO apple that has not been sprayed with pesticides. Organic apples contain no pesticides and have higher levels of antioxidants.
However, giving your dog human foods is not recommended. Human foods can be dangerous for dogs, especially when they are given too often.
Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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