Can dogs eat apples?
Ask your vet about your own pet. This page is general information from the sources below.
Yes, dogs can have apples as an occasional treat. VCA, Pet Poison Helpline and the ASPCA all list apples as a good treat. The seeds and core are the problem parts, so they must be taken out. VCA says the core can cause choking and the seeds contain cyanide. Cut into bite-sized slices with the core, seeds and stem removed.
Checked October 29, 2026.
Why
VCA, Pet Poison Helpline and the ASPCA all list apples as a good treat. The seeds and core are the problem parts, so they must be taken out. VCA says the core can cause choking and the seeds contain cyanide.
How to serve it
Cut into bite-sized slices with the core, seeds and stem removed.
Good to know
VCA says crunchy produce like apple can help scrape food off a pet's teeth, but the seeds and core must go first.
Watch for: Apple seeds and cores can end up in cut-up fruit, so check each piece.
Already ate it?
If your pet ate a lot, or you are worried, call your vet. Say what was eaten, how much and when, and have your pet's weight ready.
Poison emergency? Call now
ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435, 24 hours a day, every day. A consultation fee may apply.
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661, 24/7. $99 per incident, follow-up calls included.
Or call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
For the children
"A grown-up can give dogs a little apples now and then. Their own food is still their dinner."
A job: Be the label reader. Before a grown-up shares any food with the dog, check this page, and ask a grown-up if the food is not on it.
This page is general information from the sources below, not veterinary advice. Your own vet knows your dog. Dogs differ.
Sources
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Treats to skip and treats to share with your pet (checked October 29, 2026)
- Pet Poison Helpline: Learn Which Human Food Is Safe For Dogs (checked October 29, 2026)
- PDSA: The best diet for your cat (checked October 29, 2026)