Can Dogs Eat Apples? Yes — Without the Seeds
Crunchy apple slices are one of the lowest-calorie fruit treats you can share with a dog. Just leave out the parts of the apple that are not safe.
Quick answer
Yes, dogs can eat apples. Tufts University’s veterinary nutritionists list apple as a healthy, low-calorie treat: ¼ cup chopped (about 30 g) is around 15 calories (Tufts).
Remove the seeds, core and stem. ASPCA Animal Poison Control notes that apple stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanide compounds (ASPCA).
Serve plain fresh apple, not apple pie, sweetened applesauce or sugar-free apple desserts, which may contain xylitol.
Why Remove Apple Seeds, Core and Stem?
ASPCA Animal Poison Control lists apple (including crabapple) as toxic to dogs because the stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, compounds that release cyanide — particularly as the plant material wilts. Signs of cyanide poisoning include brick-red gums, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting and shock (ASPCA).
The flesh of the fruit is the part Tufts lists as a treat. Cutting slices away from the core removes the seeds and stem in one step. If your dog eats several cores, or chews leaves or branches from an apple tree, call your vet or a pet poison line for advice.
How Much Apple Can a Dog Eat?
Tufts University’s veterinary nutritionists recommend that treats make up no more than 10% of daily calories. For example, a 10 lb (4.5 kg) dog needs about 300 calories a day on average, so its treat allowance is about 30 calories; an average 75 lb (34 kg) dog needs about 1,400 calories, allowing about 140 calories of treats (Tufts). Individual needs vary, and foods that suit a healthy dog may not suit one with a medical condition.
Apple treat portions (based on Tufts: ¼ cup chopped apple ≈ 15 calories)
| Portion of chopped apple | Approx. calories | Fits the 10% treat budget of |
|---|---|---|
| ¼ cup (about 30 g) | 15 | A small dog — about half of a 10 lb dog’s ~30-calorie allowance |
| ½ cup (about 60 g) | 30 | A 10 lb (4.5 kg) dog’s full daily treat allowance |
| 1 cup (about 120 g) | 60 | A medium to large dog |
How to Serve Apple to Your Dog
- Wash the apple, then cut slices away from the core.
- Cut pieces to suit your dog’s size so they are easy to chew.
- Weigh portions — Tufts strongly recommends weighing treats instead of estimating by volume.
- Count it toward the 10% treat budget and reduce other treats that day (Tufts).
Apple Foods to Avoid
- Apple pie, crumble and turnovers — high in sugar, fat and calories, and sometimes made with raisins.
- Sweetened applesauce and apple juice — extra sugar and calories without the fibre of fresh fruit.
- Sugar-free apple desserts or baked goods, which may contain the sweetener xylitol, toxic to dogs (FDA).
- Apple tree leaves, stems and fallen crabapples in the garden.
Frequently asked questions
Are apple seeds poisonous to dogs?+
Apple seeds, stems and leaves contain cyanide-releasing compounds, according to ASPCA Animal Poison Control, so remove them before sharing apple. If your dog eats several cores or chews an apple tree, contact your vet or a pet poison line.
How much apple can I give my dog?+
Tufts lists ¼ cup of chopped apple (about 30 g) as roughly 15 calories. A 10 lb dog has a daily treat allowance of about 30 calories, so around ½ cup would be its whole allowance. Larger dogs can have more.
Can dogs eat applesauce?+
Fresh apple is the better choice, since it is the form veterinary nutritionists list as a treat. If you use applesauce, choose plain and unsweetened, keep it to a small amount, and check sugar-free products for xylitol.
Can dogs eat apple cores?+
It is best not to. The core contains the seeds and stem, which hold the cyanide-releasing compounds. Cut the flesh away from the core and give only the slices.
How This Page Was Prepared
This page was researched and written by the AnimalIDFinder editorial team using veterinary school, veterinary manual, poison control and regulatory sources, all linked below. It has not been individually reviewed by a veterinarian and does not replace professional advice. Last reviewed against sources: October 2026.
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