Last updated on March 20th, 2023 at 11:39 pm

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Can Dogs Eat Applesauce? Must-Know!

Dogs these days don’t want to eat the food they’re given. Instead, they want to share yours, and sometimes resisting those ‘puppy’ eyes is hard. So, the safest option is to check if the treat you’re offering to your dog is safe for them to avoid them from getting sick. So, one of your questions could be, ‘Can dogs eat applesauce?’

Quick Answer

Yes. Dogs can eat applesauce, but you need to be careful with the amount. Applesauce can be given to dogs as a treat, but large amounts can be harmful to them. Store-bought applesauce has added sugar, preservatives, and food coloring, which is not healthy for your dog’s digestive system.

As a pet owner, you should be thorough with your pet’s diets to make sure they’re not consuming something harmful to them. Always consider the benefits and risks of their meal. So, find out the good and bad aspects of applesauce and whether it can be given to your dog or not, keep on reading.

Can Dogs Eat Applesauce?

Applesauce is safe and healthy for your dogs if given as an occasional treat. However, there are a few things that you should be mindful of. The applesauce should make up to 5% of your dog’s daily food intake, around a spoonful or two of applesauce. Applesauce with added sugar is harmful to your dog, so avoid buying store-bought applesauce. Unsweetened applesauce is the best option for your dogs. You can also make applesauce at home; that’s even healthier!

How to Make Applesauce at Home for Dogs?

If you can’t find unsweetened applesauce in your local grocery store and want to DIY it, you can follow the steps below to make applesauce at home!

• The first step is to prepare the apples. Peel and slice around 3 pounds of your favorite apple variety. Remove the seeds and stem from the apple slices.
• Secondly, Put your apples along with half a cup of water and 2 tablespoons of honey and cook them on medium heat for around 20 minutes.
• Finally, to make a puree, put the cooked apples in a blender and blend till you get a soft, smooth paste, and voila! You have homemade applesauce in less than 30 minutes. Much better than the store-bought ones and much more healthier.

Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon Applesauce?

Another thing dog owners often wonder is ‘can dogs eat cinnamon applesauce?’. Technically, dogs can eat cinnamon applesauce as both ingredients aren’t harmful or toxic to dogs. However, most cinnamon applesauce is store-bought, and they contain lots of added sugar and preservative, making it unhealthy for your dog. So, they can consume cinnamon applesauce in small amounts, but it’s advised not to give them as often.

Benefits of Feeding Your Dog Applesauce

Now it’s clear that you can feed your dog applesauce; you may wonder if it has any benefits? The answer is yes. Applesauce actually has quite a few benefits for your dog.

• Helps with Constipation

If your dog is suffering from constipation, feeding him applesauce can help. Apples are rich in dietary fibers, which can help increase bowel movement. It can help your dog with digestion and can relieve constipation.

• Low in Calories

If you want your dog to lose some weight but don’t like the fact you can’t give him treats? Well, then here’s your solution. Unsweetened applesauce has very low calories, making it an excellent treat for your dog, especially if he’s on a diet! Not only does using unsweetened applesauce prevent weight gain it also makes a great treat for your dog if he has diabetes.

• Rich in Antioxidants

Apples are rich in antioxidants, which can help your dog with cell oxidation. Antioxidants can also help protect your dog from radical damage that causes cancer. It also helps in improving heart function.

• Regulates Cholesterol

Applesauce contains a soluble fiber called pectin, which helps in regulating cholesterol. That is why feeding your dog applesauce can lower his cholesterol levels.

• Rich in Vitamins

Apples contain both Vitamin A and Vitamin C, both of which benefits your dog. Vitamin A can strengthen your dog’s immune system and promote good skin health. Vitamin C helps with bone development and can help treat degenerative diseases, like osteoarthritis, which affects your dog’s joints.

• Helps in Improving Bone and Nail Growth

The calcium and phosphorus present in apples aid in bone development and promote healthy nail growth. It also helps with the growth and development of teeth.

Overall, feeding your dog applesauce in the correct amount is healthy.

How Much Applesauce Can I Give to my Dog?

If your dog ends up loving applesauce, you’ll probably want to give him every day to make him happy. However, that’s a terrible idea. Applesauce is rich in fibers, which help with digestion, but if consumed in large amounts can mess up your dog’s digestion. Excessive amounts of applesauce can cause severe constipation and even lead to bleeding in the rectum.

Other than that, if your dog consumes sweetened applesauce in large amounts, it can be harmful due to the high sugar content. Especially if your dog has diabetes, the high sugar content may be fatal.

The applesauce should be given to your dog as a treat rather than a regular meal. 5% of applesauce in your dog’s diet is the best. In this way, your dog can receive health benefits and not get sick.

Can Puppies Eat Applesauce?

Yes. Puppies can eat applesauce. However, their digestive system is not completely developed due to which they can face digestive problems. Puppies can’t digest the adult amount, so they should be given applesauce in minimal amounts as a special treat. If you notice vomiting, difficulty breathing, and an increase in thirst, immediately stop giving them anymore. Increased thirst and difficulty in breathing mean that they’ve consumed too much and have a hard time digesting it.

Tips to Give Your Dog Applesauce Healthily

Follow these steps to safely feed your dog’s applesauce to prevent your dog from getting sick.

• Use Unsweetened Applesauce

The healthiest way to give your dog applesauce is by using unsweetened applesauce. As mentioned earlier, excessive sugar is harmful to your dog. That’s why using unsweetened or homemade applesauce is the healthiest option for your pet. Best to buy unsweetened applesauce from organic brands as inorganic brands often use pesticides.

• Discard the Apple Core

When making homemade applesauce, do not give the apple cores to your dogs. You may think it’s alright for them, but it’s a significant choking hazard. Better be safe than sorry.

• Only Cook the Apples

When making homemade applesauce, always use fresh apples than stale ones. Also, make sure only to cook the apples and not the stem and seeds. Apple seeds contain toxins that can harm your dog, so it’s best to remove them before cooking.

• Serve with Caution

As mentioned earlier, applesauce should be served in moderation. High intake can be harmful to your pet. To make your applesauce more nutritious without using extra, you can use strawberries and bananas with it. Strawberries and bananas have the same benefit as apples and are healthy for your dog. This way, you can increase their nutrition while also keeping applesauce intake to a minimum.

Conclusion – Can Dogs Eat Applesauce?

It’s best to do thorough research before giving your dog or pet unusual treats to make sure your dog is always consuming healthy. Applesauce is an unusual treat that needs to be adequately researched before giving it to your dog. So, give a small amount of applesauce to your dog as moderation is the key to safe eating. Plus, you should always keep an eye on your pet to make sure it’s not consuming anything harmful and find its benefits to its risks and the preferred amount you should give to your dogs