If you own a pet, and 70% of U.S. households do, chances are you have wondered whether your pet can eat certain foods. You have even likely googled to find the answer to your food questions before feeding your furry friend said food. It may not be surprising, then, to learn that tens of thousands of people search the Internet every month to see if their pet can eat apples. We are here to set the record straight for the most-commonly-asked-about pets.
In general, apples are safe for pets to consume. The very important exception to this general rule is the apple stem, leaves, and seeds. These pieces contain cyanide, which can be poisonous to pets. The smaller the pet, the more toxic the apple seeds will be. So if you are feeding your pet an apple, be sure to cut it up and remove any seeds.
Additionally, apples are high in sugar and low in essential nutrients, so it is best to treat apples as a very occasional snack for your pet, rather than an everyday treat. And don’t be shocked if your pet just doesn’t like apples! Animals have personal preferences, just like humans do. You might have one pet that loves apples and one that wants nothing to do with them.
Still wondering about a specific pet? Scroll down to find your pet, and then learn if apples are safe for them to eat!
Can cats eat apples?
Yes, cats can eat apples. However, apple stems, leaves, and seeds can be poisonous to cats, due to the cyanide they contain. Be sure to slice up the apple and remove these parts before sharing with your cat.
Can dogs eat apples?
Yes, dogs can eat apples. Just be sure to remove any stems, leaves, and seeds from the apple before feeding it to your dog. These parts contain cyanide, which are toxic. We even shared a homemade apple dog treat recipe you can make!
Did you know that dogs are welcome at Robinette’s? We just ask that you keep them on a 6-foot leash and out of any buildings.
Can guinea pigs eat apples?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat apples. Don’t feed them too many apples too often, as they are very high in sugar. But apples can be a great treat for your guinea pig.
Can bearded dragons eat apples?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat apples, as long as they are peeled and cored. Apple peels present a choking hazard for bearded dragons, and your dragon is unable to digest the seeds.
Can hamsters eat apples?
Yes, hamsters can eat apples. Peel the apple and remove any seeds before feeding it to your hamster, in order to reduce choking hazards. Small amounts of peel are OK, but large pieces can be hard for hamsters to swallow.
Can chinchillas eat apples?
Yes, chinchillas can eat apples, but be sure to keep the serving size small and infrequent. The high amounts of calcium and acidity in apples can lead to digestive issues in chinchillas.
Can gerbils eat apples?
Yes, gerbils can eat apples. As long as you remove the seeds, which can be toxic, you can feed your gerbil apples.
Can hedgehogs eat apples?
Yes, hedgehogs can eat apples. Apples are a great snack for this pet, just don’t forget to remove the seeds. Let your hedgehog enjoy apples as a treat, in moderation, since they do not provide many essential nutrients.