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Can apples be added to your Pitbull’s diet? Are they harmful to Pitbulls, and if they are not, are there quantities that can be unsafe for your dog?
Pitbulls can eat apples. In fact, they are a great source of vitamin A and fiber for your dog. They are also low in fat and sodium. Apples can be served raw, frozen, or in an applesauce form (without added sugars). However, they should be served in moderation as part of your dog’s balanced diet.
In this article, we will discuss the various ways you can feed your dog apples, the benefits of feeding your dogs a diet that includes apples, and if there are any risks involved with feeding apples or certain parts of apples to your Pitbull.
The Benefits of Feeding Your Pitbull Apples
First, let us discuss the benefits of serving your Pitbull apples, and why you may want to include apples as part of your Pitbull’s diet.
They Have Many Vitamins
Apples are high in vitamins and nutrients that are important for your Pitbull’s health. For example, they have Vitamins A and C. They have various antioxidants, which can help boost your Pitbull’s immune system and aid it in fighting off viruses and diseases. They have other nutrients like calcium as well, which can help maintain your Pitbull’s bone health and strength.
They Can Help With Digestion
Apples have a lot of natural fiber, so they are a great addition to your dog’s diet if it has been struggling with digestion issues. Too much protein without enough fiber can cause your dog to get constipated, and feeding it apples can help.
They Are Sweet
Apples are delicious! They make for great treats because they are sweet and yummy. Not every dog will enjoy apples, but if your Pitbull likes them, there is no reason to restrict it from eating apples and enjoying them as a treat.
They Are a Good Source of Carbs
While apples should not be used as your Pitbull’s main source of carbs, they are still a good source of healthy carbohydrates when used in moderation. As such, they can be served in a diet that is full of meat and protein to help give your dog the carbs and sugars it needs.
They Are Gentle on the Stomach
In general, apples are easy to digest, especially if they are served in an applesauce form. If your dog is having problems digesting other types of food, you may want to consider feeding it mashed apples or applesauce. However, homemade applesauce is best as it won’t contain any added sugars.
What Are the Downsides of Feeding Your Dog Apples?
Although apples are, for the most part, perfectly safe for your dog and come with various health benefits, there are some things you should know about. Here are some possible downsides of feeding your Pitbull apples.
It Can Lead to Diarrhea
This isn’t likely to happen if you feed your Pitbull apples in moderation. However, apples do contain a lot of fiber, so if your dog eats too many apples, it may experience diarrhea or a watery stool. Apples are also high in fructose, which can aggravate diarrhea.
In turn, diarrhea can lead to dehydration, as it can suck the water out of your dog’s body. If your dog does get diarrhea, it is important to make sure it is getting enough water to replenish its body.
It Can Aggravate Diabetes
If your Pitbull has diabetes or is at an increased risk for diabetes, it may not be a good idea to feed it apples. This is because apples have a lot of sugar and carbs, and you want to restrict foods that have a lot of carbs and sugars from your dog’s diet if it suffers from diabetes. However, if your dog is healthy, it will generally be fine to feed it apples, as long as you do so in moderation.
It Can Pose a Choking Hazard
It is important not to feed your dog the parts of an apple that are not edible, as these can pose a choking hazard. This includes the stem and seeds. In addition, it is best to cut the apple up into small parts so your dog will have an easier time eating it.
Recommendations for Feeding Your Pitbull Apples
It is important to know how to feed your Pitbull apples. Not all apple products or apple parts are created equal.
Don’t Feed Your Dog the Stem or Seeds
We already mentioned that the stem and seeds can pose a choking hazard, but there is another reason you should make sure to take away the seeds when feeding your dog apples. Apple seeds are in fact toxic to both humans and dogs. This is because they contain cyanide.
Too many apple seeds can theoretically lead to cyanide poisoning. The reality is that you would need a large amount of apple seeds in order to see any real negative effects. However, since they are inherently toxic, it is best to avoid feeding them to your dog.
Here is a video explaining why you need to remove the seeds from your dog’s apples:
Serve Your Pitbull Applesauce
One way to include apples in your Pitbull’s diet is by feeding it applesauce. Applesauce has a number of benefits, including that it is easy to digest. If your dog is having difficulty digesting its food or is experiencing stomach problems, applesauce is a nice, bland food option that will not upset its stomach any further.
However, it is important not to buy commercial applesauce that contains a lot of sugar. Look for natural applesauce that does not contain any added sugar or other added chemicals. If you cannot find applesauce without added sugar, you can always use a blender to mash up the apples yourself.
Freeze the Apples and Cut Them Up
If your dog does not enjoy the texture of plain apples or of applesauce, consider cutting your apples into bite-sized pieces and then freezing them. This will change the texture of the apples, which can change the way your dog looks at it. Frozen apple bits make for great treats.
Mix Up Your Apples
Your dog can have all types of apples, so don’t limit it to just red apples or green apples. Your Pitbull may prefer one type of apple over another or may simply enjoy the variety of the different tastes different apples have.
Don’t Overdo It
Just because apples are good for your dog does not mean that it should make up the majority of your dog’s diet. In fact, it is best not to feed your dog too many apples and instead mix up the apples with other fruits and veggies, while ensuring that your dog gets adequate protein.
It is important to buy dog food products that ensure that your dog gets adequate nutrition. Your Pitbull needs a balanced diet that contains protein, vitamins, and other nutrients. Don’t settle for low quality dog products that use harmful, processed ingredients.
My dog’s favorite food
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
If you’re looking for a commercial dog food that is similar to a dog’s diet in the wild or a raw diet, look into Blue Buffalo Wilderness.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness is a high protein option to fuel your pitbull and help build and maintain strong, lean muscle. It contains whole meat and LifeSource Bits, which are little nuggets jam packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness is also a great source of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and hair. It comes in chicken, salmon, and Rocky Mountain Recipe with red meat varieties to satisfy any pitbull’s taste buds.
Conclusion
If your Pitbull likes apples, there is no reason not to include them in its diet. On the contrary, you are missing out on an opportunity to provide your dog with important nutrients if you don’t feed it apples.
However, it is also important to include apples as part of a balanced diet so that your dog stays healthy. In addition, if your dog suffers from diabetes, feeding it apples may not be the best idea. If you have any concerns, it is best to ask your vet for professional advice.
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I created this blog to share my passion for bullies, and help current and future pitbull owners with things like diet and education.
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