Apple is one of the most commonly known fruits globally and not just because of the nutrition it packs or its wonderful taste. From Adam’s apple to Newton’s apple, to that apple, which keeps the doctor away, to your iPhone, this fruit finds itself in mythology, science, literature, technology, everywhere!
Apples are said to originate in central Asia, but now, they are cultivated worldwide, with China being the largest producer. Apples are very healthy for humans. But is it good for perhaps, the most hardworking breed of dogs, the mighty German Shepherd (also called GSD or Alsatian)?
Let’s find out.
So, can German Shepherds eat apples? Yes, it is safe to offer apples to German Shepherds except for the seeds and the core. Apples are one of the healthiest snacks that you can provide your dog. They contain Calcium, Vitamins C and K, Pectin, and several other nutrients.
However, you should take care of a few things. Never offer an entire apple in one go. Wash them first, then cut them in pieces and remove the seeds and core as they can be extremely harmful to your dog. After following this simple process, you can feed your German Shepherd apples.
Apples should also not become the main diet of your dog. Limit the number of apples to one per day. Apart from vitamins and minerals, apples also contain a lot of fructose.
Consuming it in large quantities will harm your dog. The proverb ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’ applies to dogs too.
Benefits of feeding your German Shepherd apples
Apples are delicious, and dogs mostly love them. But that’s not it. Apples are incredibly nutritious and are one of the most abundant produced fruits in the world. The following are the benefits of giving apples to your German Shepherds.
Apples contain Vitamins C and K, Pectin, Calcium, and several other minerals. Pectin, in particular, helps prevent cancer in dogs.
Apples help prevent gastrointestinal issues in dogs like constipation, diarrhea, etc.
Apples are rich in fiber. They help in the overall growth of dogs.
They also contain phytochemicals like anthocyanins, quercetins & chlorogenic acid. Most other diets for German Shepherds often ignore phytochemicals, but they are beneficial in building a good immune system.
When your German Shepherd eats an apple, it also helps clean the teeth and prevent bad breath. That said, this is not the perfect and sole way of cleaning your dog’s teeth.
Last but not least, apples are inexpensive. Unlike most other snacks, this is readily available and doesn’t hit the wallet much despite packing so many nutrients.
The correct way of feeding apples to German Shepherds
A few steps must be followed when feeding apples to your dog. First and foremost, wash them properly. Commercially grown apples may contain traces of pesticides and other chemicals that can make your dog ill.
Check for allergies by giving him a small slice of the apple first. If he is okay, then you may continue without any worries.
Cut the apples in half for big dogs and into 5-6 smaller pieces if he is small. Remove the core and all the seeds. As mentioned before, apples should not be the primary diet, and you must never offer more than one apple at a time to your dog.
Can we offer other apple products?
We know that it’s safe for our German Shepherds to eat apples with some precautions. But what about other food products made from apples?
Apple Pie – If prepared traditionally, using sugar, cinnamon, and apples, Yes.
Apple Juice – Apple Juice will not harm your dog straight away, but the high sugar content will affect them and cause several health issues in the long term. So, No.
Apple sauce – You can give them homemade apple sauce made by boiled and mashed apples. This may actually taste better to them than apples.
Apple-based alcoholic drinks – NO! Never! Alcohols of all kinds can be extremely harmful and, at times, fatal for any dog and not just German Shepherds. Never offer them alcohol.
To keep it short, it is always advisable to consult your vet before offering any new food item to your dog and also watch out for allergies.
Why are apple seeds bad for German Shepherds?
Apple is an elixir, but its seeds are Apple seeds contain Amygdalin, which is a form of cyanide. Now, cyanide is extremely dangerous and toxic to living things, including dogs. It blocks the oxygen flow in one’s body, leading to death.
Does it mean we should immediately run to the vet if our dog accidentally eats a couple of apple seeds? The answer is No.
A few seeds will not be fatal for your dog. In fact, for a dog to be poisoned, he needs to eat more than 100 apples in one go, which is not possible.
However, consuming seeds regularly will cause plenty of harm in the long run. Your dog will fall sick very easily, and instead of improving their health, the apples will end up doing more harm.
This is also why it is not advisable to feed apple core either. It may contain small seeds inside it, which might go unnoticed. It is always smart to remove both the core and seeds from an apple before offering them to your dog.
What other fruits can we offer German Shepherds?
Apple isn’t the only fruit that dogs love. There are plenty of other fruits that you can offer your German Shepherd. They include:
- Papaya
- Peach
- Mango
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Pineapples
- Watermelon
- Coconuts
- Bananas
Remember, remove the seed(s) of all the fruits mentioned before offering them to your dog.
Apart from fruits, there are other treats that you can delight your dog with. Some healthy treats are green peas, green beans, carrots, cooked sweet potatoes, broccoli, cooked squash, etc.
Again, always consult a vet before feeding any new food item to your dog.
What not to feed a German Shepherd?
Following are the food items that you should NEVER feed your German Shepherd:
Chocolates – Chocolates are poison for a dog that is caused by the chemical methylxanthines. If your dog is showing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, cardiac arrest, etc., it might be due to chocolate poisoning. Immediately rush to a veterinarian.
Avocado – Raw avocado should never be fed to any dog. Some dog foods consist of avocado, but consult your vet before offering such things.
Garlic and Onions – Both of these are toxic to all dogs, including German Shepherds.
Mushrooms – Some mushrooms are not dangerous for dogs, but most of them can be fatal. So, it’s advisable not to feed your dog mushroom at all.
Grapes/Raisin – Grapes and raisins can make your dog extremely sick. The reason is unsure, but the effects are not.
Alcohol – Alcohol can be fatal for dogs. Watch out for all the food that may contain even a small amount of alcohol.
Caffeine – Another dangerous substance for dogs.
Cat Food – Cat food contains all the wrong mixture of nutrients for dogs, including German Shepherds. Never feed them cat food.
Summary
Apples are safe for German Shepherds except for the core and the seeds. Just keep all the precautions mentioned in this article. German Shepherds are a fascinating breed of dogs. They are the most common working dogs because they are easy to train. Police and army often use them.
These brave friends have caught countless criminals, sniffed and found numerous packets of drugs, and saved many army men from booby traps by sniffing alcohols. German Shepherds are a gift that just keeps on giving. It is only appropriate to treat them with one of the best and most nutritious fruits, Apple.
Can German Shepherds Eat Blueberries?