HEALTH BENEFITS OF APPLESAUCE FOR YOUR DOG
Since applesauce is just pureed apples, all the same nutritional information applies.
Apples are high in vitamin C, vitamin A and dietary fiber. They also have a good amount of calcium and phosphorous.
This makes applesauce a great fruit that can help in the promotion of strong bones, healthy joints and coat and of course all the immune boosting benefits of antioxidants.
The one caveat with applesauce and feeding it to your dog is to be aware of the difference between unsweetened applesauce and those brands that are sweetened and flavored.
If you make your own applesauce with just apples this isn’t something you need to worry about. However, if you buy applesauce from the store be on the lookout for added ingredients.
Many store bought applesauces are loaded with sugar (or even worse, high fructose corn syrup), artificial flavors, preservatives and food coloring. Just like with ketchup, caution should be taken with any added ingredients like this when introducing to our dog’s diet.
It’s a shame really to think this is a food we often feed our children let alone our pets with the chemicals that can be added!
The other point of consideration with applesauce is whether it’s been made with organic apples.
Conventional apples are heavily sprayed with pesticides so it’s best to consume organic varieties. This is true for both humans and dogs and applies to almost any fruit like cherries as well.
Applesauce is widely loved for its sweet and tangy flavour, and some unsweetened, homemade apple sauces can also be nutritionally beneficial for humans, but is this the case for our dogs?
it safe to give your dog applesauce? Keep reading to find out if dogs can eat applesauce and if they can see the same benefits as us.
Yes, dogs can eat applesauce provided it’s plain. Homemade applesauce is essentially just apple (which is not toxic for dogs) in its puréed form, so this is safe for your dog to enjoy as an occasional treat.
However, whether you’re making applesauce at home, or buying it readymade from the shop, many recipes include ingredients like lemon juice and zest, cider vinegar, cinnamon and other spices, which can irritate your pup’s stomach! Many applesauce products also include sugar, which won’t offer any nutritional benefit, but can contribute to obesity and dental disease, so is generally best avoided. And some readymade apple sauces may also contain sweeteners, such as xylitol, which is toxic for pups, in addition to thickeners, food colouring and preservative ingredients which may also be harmful for your dog. Because of this we would only recommend offering your pet small amounts of homemade applesauce made from apples alone, to avoid any hidden ingredients causing problems for your dog.
Homemade, plain applesauce does contain fibre and vitamins like C and A, as well as phosphorous and calcium, but these are all things your dog will get from their complete and balanced diet, so there’s no need to supplement your dog’s diet with applesauce. Additionally, as we only recommend offering your dog a small amount of applesauce, it’s unlikely the nutrients involved will really make a difference to their diet.
However, readymade applesauce, purchased from the supermarket, may not be okay for your dog to eat. As we’ve already mentioned, these options can be loaded with sugars, preservatives, colours, flavourings and thickeners, and these chemical additives aren’t good for your dog to consume.
Is Applesauce Good For Dogs?
We’ve already answered the question, “can dogs eat applesauce?” Now, let’s learn about the benefits of feeding your dog this food! Is applesauce good for dogs?
Plain, unsweetened applesauce, much like plain apples, have plenty of nutritional value for dogs. Applesauce contains lots of fiber, calcium, vitamins, and antioxidants. All of these result in important health benefits for your dog like healthier bones, a well-regulated digestive system, a stronger immune system, and plenty of others. Keep in mind that your dog should be getting all these from their daily dog food.
Applesauce is also a low-calorie snack that can help dogs who need to lose a few pounds do so while still consuming tasty, sweet treats!
Can Dogs Eat Applesauce?
From infants getting getting spoon-fed their breakfast, to kids having a snack in the school lunchroom, to adults having a side dish with their dinner, we love applesauce no matter our age! Applesauce is a great sweet, healthy snack for us. Can our love for this treat be shared with our dogs? Can dogs eat applesauce too?