Can Dogs Eat Apple Cores?

Apples are a popular treat, and many dogs will grab a discarded core if they get the chance.

The American Kennel Club says: “While apples are safe for your dog to eat, be sure to keep the seeds far, far away from them. The seeds contain a small amount of cyanide, a toxin, which can harm your dog in large doses. The tough apple core, and the stem, could also choke your dog.”

So the core is best kept out of reach. A slice of plain apple is a better treat, with the core, stem and seeds removed.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog, call your vet.

Are apple seeds dangerous?

The American Kennel Club says the seeds contain a small amount of cyanide that can harm a dog “in large doses”. We found no primary source giving a safe or unsafe number of seeds for a dog of a given size, so we do not give one. If your dog has eaten a lot of cores or chewed seeds, call your vet or a poison helpline.

Choking and blockage

A core is hard and fibrous and not easy to chew. A dog that swallows one whole could choke, and a small dog is at more risk than a big one. The AKC says to watch for signs of digestive trouble or blockage, “like choking”. We found no primary source that says how long signs take to appear, so call your vet if your dog seems unwell after eating a core.

Signs that call for a vet include repeated vomiting, a swollen or painful belly, loss of appetite, tiredness, or straining without passing stool.

What to do if your dog ate an apple core

1. If your dog is choking, gagging or has pale or blue gums, go to an emergency vet now.
2. Otherwise, check how much was eaten and your dog’s size, and call your vet for advice. Small dogs may need to be checked sooner.
3. Watch appetite, vomiting and stools over the next days.
4. Do not make your dog vomit unless your vet tells you to.
5. In the US the ASPCA Animal Poison Control number is (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply); elsewhere, use your local vet or poison service.

How to serve apple safely

• Wash the apple, then remove the core, stem and all seeds.
• Cut the flesh into small pieces your dog can chew.
• Keep treats to a small part of the daily food. Use our dog food calculator to see how much your dog needs in a day.
• Try one new food at a time, and ask your vet if your dog has a health problem.

For other treats, see our best dog treats and healthy dog biscuits guides.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. If you are unsure, talk to your vet.