Dogs have been known to eat just about anything you put in front of them, but there are some fruits and vegetables that may be toxic to them, so it’s important to know what they can safely eat and what will harm them.
One common fruit your dog might try to get into is the crab apple tree, but can dogs eat crab apples? Are there any health risks involved?
Keep reading to find out more.
The simple answer is yes, dogs can eat crab apples. In fact, crab apples are quite similar to apples and make a healthy treat for your dog; they contain vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and lots of fiber. While some people consider crab apples to be poisonous, they aren’t dangerous when consumed in small amounts by your dog. As long as you don’t feed them too much and you remove all seeds and stems from crab apples before giving them to your dog, there’s nothing to worry about.
What Part of the Crab Apple Should Be Avoided?
Ok, so your dog can safely eat crab apples and benefit from all the health benefits that come with them, but you need to take special care when preparing crab apples for your furry friend.
As mentioned earlier, you need to remove certain parts from a crab apple before giving it to your pup. They are:
Seeds
The seeds of a crab apple contain a toxin called cyanide that is toxic to dogs. Usually, the seeds will just pass through your dog’s digestive system without causing harm because they need to be chewed for the cyanide to be released.
It is still, however, important that you remove the seeds before giving the crab apple to your furry friend because frequent digestion of these seeds can lead to the accumulation of cyanide within your dog’s digestive system. This is very dangerous.
Core
The core of a crab apple is dangerous to your furry friend because he might choke on it. Rather serve your pup this delicious fruit in slices.
Stem
As with the seeds, the stem of a crab apple contains traces of cyanide. This needs to be removed before giving this fruit as a treat to your furry friend.
What Happens If My Dog Has Eaten Crab Apples?
We’ve established that the flesh of a crab apple is not dangerous for dogs to eat, however, if your dog has consumed a few of these with the stem and seeds included, then there are a few things you should be aware of, and a few things you should do.
Firstly, you should contact your vet immediately. He will be able to advise you on the next steps and he will more than likely advise you to bring your furry friend in.
There are a few things you can look out for to establish whether or not your dog has been poisoned from eating the crab apples:
- Excessive Panting
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Red Lips or Red Tongue
- Dilated Pupils
If you see that your pup is displaying any of these signs, call the vet immediately if you haven’t done so already.
What Are Crab Apples Good For?
A crab apple is a small, tart variety of apples. Small and round, these pome fruits range in color from pale yellow to red and have a flesh that’s crisp yet mealy in texture.
If properly prepared, a crab apple can have various health benefits for your dog. And, your dog might like eating a crab apple provided that he is not put off by the sour or bitter taste.
Due to its fiber content, a crab apple can help your pup if he has an upset stomach. Just don’t feed him too much, otherwise, his tummy will get more upset.
Crab apples will also keep your furry friend’s teeth clean by removing residue off his teeth, and it will also keep his breath smelling fresh.
Conclusion
Yes, dogs can eat crab apples, but you should keep in mind that the fruit, like any other food, may pose a risk to your dog if not prepared correctly or if eaten in large quantities.
Your furry friend can safely eat the flesh of a crab apple, but you should avoid feeding him any of the seeds, the stem, or the core. These parts of a crab apple contain a toxin called cyanide which is very dangerous to dogs if ingested, and the core is a dangerous choking hazard,
I recommend that you simply slice the crab apple into tiny slices and give that to your furry friend. That way, you eliminate the chance of him accidentally eating any of the toxic bits.
