Can Dogs Eat Applesauce?

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.

Can dogs eat applesauce?

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.

Is applesauce good for dogs?

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.

How to feed apple sauce to dogs

If you want to offer your pup a small amount of applesauce as a treat, stick to plain, fresh homemade applesauce, and only ever offer your pup the occasional teaspoon.

We would also advise to stick to using apples as your only ingredient to make your sauce, peeled and with their cores removed. It’s also important to make sure you remove all the seeds from your apples, as well as the stalk, as these can contain cyanide – which is poisonous for pups. Mash your applesauce thoroughly before offering it to your pup, to make sure you remove any large pieces of apple, as these can sometimes cause choking, especially in very small dogs. And avoid adding additional sugar and other ingredients if you’re planning on offering your dog some of your applesauce.

When feeding your dog treats – such as applesauce – always remember to follow the 10% rule, making sure that no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake comes from treats, with the other 90% coming from their complete and balanced dog food.

Before you ever offer your pup human food, it’s best to always speak to your vet for advice. They’ll be able to tell you if it’s OK to give them it as a treat or if it should be avoided for your dog altogether.

Now you know the answer to ‘can dogs eat applesauce’! Want to find out more about what foods your dog can eat? Learn if dogs can eat oranges, next.