Apples are a common fruit that can be found at your local grocery store. They are also a healthy snack for dogs to enjoy. There are some precautions to take when feeding apples to your dog, though, so keep reading to find out more about this delicious treat!
Apples and the Fight Against Cancer
Apples are rich in phytonutrients, which are plant compounds that have anti-cancer properties.
Apples contain a host of beneficial compounds that help fight cancer, including:
- Quercetin: A flavonoid that has been shown to inhibit the growth of a wide range of cancer cells in test tubes and animal studies. Quercetin also has antioxidant activity and may inhibit the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines.
- Flavonols (including myricetin): Another type of flavonoid found in apples that may help prevent cancer by inhibiting tumor growth and inducing cell death (apoptosis). Research suggests that myricetin may be particularly effective at preventing breast cancer.
- Ursolic acid: Researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle found this compound can drive away cancer cells and trigger the death of malignant cells. Researchers say that ursolic acid works by blocking a protein called NCOA3, which is essential for tumor growth and metastasis. It also stops the spread of another protein called EGFRvIII, which is linked to several types of cancer including breast, lung, and pancreatic cancer.
Packed with Vitamins and Minerals
Apples are delicious, low in calories, and loaded with vitamins and minerals. They’re also a great source of vitamin A, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage and fights off age-related vision problems. Apples are also high in vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system and promotes healing.
Apples contain fiber, helping to reduce cholesterol levels and control blood sugar as well as manage weight. The soluble fiber in apples can also help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol while raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels!
Keeping Your Dog’s Teeth Clean
Apples are also great for keeping your dog’s teeth clean. Apples are high in pectin, a soluble fiber that cleans plaque off the surface of teeth. They’re also high in malic acid, which helps fight bad breath by breaking down plaque.
The best part? It’s safe for dogs to eat and there’s no need to worry about your pup swallowing pieces of apple because it will just pass through their system naturally—not unlike real dental floss!
Healthy Source of Fiber
Aside from being a source of antioxidants, apples are also a great source of fiber. Fiber is essential to your dog’s digestive health and well-being. Fiber helps aid with digestion by increasing the amount of undigested food that passes through your dog’s system. This can help eliminate constipation, diarrhea, and bloating.
Fiber also regulates weight because it takes longer for dogs to digest foods with higher amounts of fiber than those that have low amounts or no fiber at all (like fast food AKA kibble). In fact, dogs fed diets high in fiber have been shown to have lower BMIs than those who eat less or no fiber at all!
In addition to its role in digestion and weight control, eating fruits like apples may also prevent cancerous cell growth by improving bowel motility (the rate at which waste moves through your pet’s intestines) while preventing colon cancer development due to its anti-inflammatory properties
How to Serve Apples
Before you give your dog an apple, it’s important to cut the fruit into pieces small enough that they can safely swallow it. You’ll need a sharp knife and some elbow grease.
- Cut the apple into bite-sized pieces.
- Remove any seeds or core from the inside.
- Cut each half into slices, then trim off any remaining peel or stem pieces so that you’re left with nice clean slices of apple goodness.
Consult the Vet with Questions
As you can see, apples are a great snack for dogs. Not only are they healthy for your dog’s body, but they also have the added benefit of helping with bad breath and heart health. It’s important to keep in mind that if your dog has any sort of food allergies or other health concerns, it may be best to consult your veterinarian before feeding them apples as well.
Read more:
No, apple cores and seeds aren’t toxic to pets – Dr. Marty Becker
Cyanogenesis in Plants 1 | Plant Physiology | Oxford Academic
2 thoughts on “Can Dogs Eat Apples?”