I live by the adage ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’.
Since all of us want our Frenchies to live long and healthy lives, we naturally wonder ‘Can French Bulldogs Eat Apples safely?’
We all know about the wonderful health benefits apples have for humans, but are they also good for our furry friends?
In this guide, we will answer the question: ‘Can French Bulldogs eat apples?’ and the benefits of feeding apples to Frenchies.
Also Read: Can French Bulldogs Eat Eggs
Can French Bulldogs Eat Apples
Yes, most certainly!
Frenchies can eat apples and most Frenchies also enjoy eating apples.
However, as with anything in life, moderation is key. If you are planning to add apple to your dog’s diet, there are a few things to remember.
Never feed apples in excess since they are packed with fiber and sugar, and, in large quantities, could lead to diarrhea and weight gain. Most importantly, you must not feed the entire apple to your Frenchie.
There are some parts of an apple that you must never feed dogs and they include the stem, leaves, and the seeds of apples. In fact, as we will study later in this guide, apple seeds can be extremely toxic to dogs.
Also check out 30 Toxic Foods Dogs Should Never Eat
What Are The Benefits of Feeding Apples to French Bulldogs?
We all know the benefits of eating fruits, especially apples, for humans. But do apples have health benefits for our Frenchies too?
The thing with fruits like apples is that even if you do not feed your Frenchie any fruits, it will still be healthy and fit.
However, your pet could reap the following benefits if you feed it small pieces of fruits like apples on a regular basis:
1. Nutrition without calories
Apples are packed with essential vitamins like vitamin C, phosphorus, and fiber.
They are sweet and tasty and your Frenchie will gladly eat them without packing on the pounds. If your Frenchie is on a diet, then apples – in moderation – are a great snack to satisfy those sweet-cravings without worrying about excess calorie intake.
One large apple contains:
- 95 calories
- 25g of carbohydrates
- 14% RDI of vitamin C (RDI stands for reference daily intake)
- 6% of RDI of potassium
- 5% of RDI of vitamin K
2. Great as training treats
In addition to feeding apples as a between-meals snack, you could also consider feeding pieces of apples to your young Frenchie for training purposes.
When fed in moderation, they are lower in calories compared to many training treats and won’t fill up your Frenchie too much.
If your bulldog puppy loves treats, then apple is a healthy treat!
Also read: How to Potty Train a French Bulldog
3. Packed with antioxidants
Apples contain polyphenols and antioxidants like vitamins C and vitamin K. These fight free radical damage and could reduce the risk of cancer.
Most importantly, they boost your pet’s immune system to fight infections.
The apple’s skin contains a nutrient called flavonoid quercetin helps regulate the immune system of your French bulldog puppy!
Are Apples Safe for French Bulldogs
Yes, apples are safe for French bulldogs as long as you feed them in moderation.
You must especially take care not to feed your Frenchie any apple seeds, core, or the stem of the apples.
Always remember that, despite all the benefits, it is best to only feed apples in moderation to your French bulldog.
If your pet eats too many apples there could be a risk of side effects like upset stomach, diarrhea, or vomiting, though these are rare.
What Possible Side Effects can French Bulldogs Suffer if They Eat Apples in Excess?
If you take necessary precautions and only feed apples in moderation to your Frenchie, then there is no need to worry about any side effects.
However, some side effects seen in Frenchies due to excess apple consumption are:
1. Stomach upset
This can include bloated dog’s stomach, gas, and nausea.
Your Frenchie might refuse food and will not be cheerful and playful as it normally is.
2. Vomiting
Another side effect of eating apples in excess is vomiting. Your Frenchie will vomit the fruit out and in most cases, it will be better as soon as the offending ingredient is out of its system.
If the vomiting persists, please see your vet.
3. Diarrhea
Since fruits like apples are packed with dietary fiber, they could lead to diarrhea or loose stools in Frenchies, when eaten in excess.
In most cases, the diarrhea will stop within a few hours but do take your pet to the vet if it persists.
4. Long-term effects
There are some long term ill-effects of eating apples daily for French bulldogs.
Since apples are rich in sugar, they could cause a spike in blood sugar, and in the long term, even cause diabetes. Diabetic dogs show appetite changes, excess thirst, etc.
Also, being calorific, they can cause unnecessary weight gain and obesity in pets. However, you need not worry about these ill-effects as long as you keep within the limits.
Can French Bulldogs Eat All Kinds of Apples?
The best time to buy apples is during fall and winter months when they are in peak season. These cooler months are also a good time to feed apples to Frenchies, in moderation.
Apples come in different varieties, flavors, and colors. The following varieties of apples are best for French bulldogs:
1. Granny Smith
Granny Smith apples have a sweet and tangy taste. They provide plenty of antioxidants but also have a high acidity and are sometimes very tart and sour.
Avoid feeding sour apples to your Frenchie. Granny apples bake well so you can bake them as a treat for your Frenchie. You can also chop them up and stir them in their oatmeal.
2. Red Delicious
Red Delicious apples have a mild, sweet taste.
They are a popular variety of apples and contain high levels of polyphenol antioxidants. Try roasting and serving them with some yogurt to your Frenchie.
3. Honey Crisp
Honey Crisp apples have a light, sweet flavor and are very rich in antioxidants. They taste great when roasted or dipped in peanut butter.
4. Crimson Gold
Like Granny Smith, these have a sweet-tart taste. They are also rich in antioxidants.
5. Northern Spy and Ida Red
According to a Canadian study in 2005, these are very beneficial to feed pooches because of their high antioxidant content.
Can French Bulldogs Eat Apple Leaves?
Never feed apple leaves to dogs. Leaves have a lot of pesticide residue and even if you wash them well, they could still make your Frenchie sick.
Apple leaves are also quite bitter and most Frenchies won’t enjoy their taste.
Can French Bulldogs Eat Apple Skin?
Apple skins are okay to feed in moderation. Crispy apple pieces with the skin clean your dog’s teeth – but you mustn’t use it as a substitute for brushing.
Also, you must wash the apple thoroughly before feeding its skin to your French bulldog.
Many pet parents prefer peeling the skin before feeding apple slices or apple pieces to their pets because peels contain quite a lot of sugar and they could also carry pesticides or waxy residues. In excess, these can be harmful to sensitive Frenchies.
So, if you want to feed apple skins, wash the fruit in warm water/diluted apple cider vinegar and wipe it dry before feeding the pieces to your pet.
Can French Bulldogs Eat Apple Seeds?
No! Absolutely not!
Never feed apple seeds to French bulldogs as they contain traces of cyanide.
The Cyanogenic glycosides found in apple seeds when metabolized in the digestive system of your dog can produce a poisonous chemical.
Cyanide is highly toxic and can even cause death in small pets. Therefore, make it a point to remove the apple’s core before feeding it to your Frenchie.
Can French Bulldogs Eat Apple Sauce?
Applesauce is a great substitute for sugar and fat in baking. It is also a wonderful and healthy treat for kids and adults.
But can French bulldogs be given apple sauce?
Yes, you can give apple sauce to your Frenchie in moderation. Also, it is best to make apple sauce at home rather than feeding commercial apple sauce which is full of sugar and preservatives.
These can be harmful for sensitive Frenchies.
Therefore, if you want to feed apple sauce to your French bulldog, make it at home without sugar.
Can French Bulldogs Drink Apple Juice?
You can feed apple juice to Frenchies, but in small quantities.
Remember: the best beverage to feed your Frenchie is pure, fresh water.
Other than water, you can also feed chicken stock, broth, vegetable stew, etc. to your buddy.
If you feed store-bought apple juice, then please note that these contain a lot of sugar, preservatives, and artificial flavors which could be harmful for a sensitive Frenchie.
So, the best thing to do is feed small apple pieces to your Frenchie. Skip the apple juice as far as possible.
If you must, you can juice a few organic apples at home and feed the juice to your Frenchie in moderation.
If you think that a healthy beverage just like what you can find in citrus fruit is great for your pet, check out with your vet some healthier options that are pet-friendly.
Which Parts of an Apple Are Safest for Frenchies?
Whenever you feed any fruit or veggie to your Frenchie, please know which parts you can safely feed and the ones to stay away from.
Here’s a quick table to show you which parts of an apple your Frenchie can and cannot eat
| Parts of an Apple | Safe/unsafe for your Frenchie |
| Peel | Only in moderation. Make sure you wash it thoroughly before feeding. You can also use organic apples to eliminate pesticide residue. |
| Flesh | This is the only part Frenchies can eat |
| Leaves | Not at all safe for your pet |
| Seeds | Contain cyanide and can be extremely toxic to your pet |
| Stems | No. your Frenchie could choke on it |
How to Feed Apples to a French Bulldog
(Always consult your veterinarian before making any changes in your pet’s diet.)
Now that you know which parts of an apple are safe to feed your buddy, let us take a look at how to feed them:
1. Use organic apples
Use organic apples to minimize chemical residue.
Alternatively, you must soak the fruit in warm water and apple cider vinegar for 15 minutes. This will remove all pesticides.
2. Slice/chop them
Most dogs, Frenchies included, love eating straight out of their humans hands.
So simply chop up the fruit into bite-sized pieces or slice it. Feed the bits to your Frenchie as is or dip it in some peanut butter.
You can also add apple chunks in a treat-dispensing toy like this one . This will keep your pet busy for a while!
3. Cook them
Many Frenchies love cooked apples. You can cook them with a bit of water and some honey.
You can also combine apples with other vegetables and fruits and make a delicious stew. Pour this over dog food or simply use it as dog treats.
Which Fruits Can French Bulldogs Eat Other Than Apples?
The AKC recommends the following fruits other than apples for dogs:
- Bananas
- Blueberry
- Cantaloupe
- Cranberries
- Mango in moderation
- Oranges in moderation
- Peaches without pits
- Pears without seeds
- Pineapples
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
Which Fruits Should French Bulldogs Not Eat?
Your Frenchie should stay away from the following fruits as they can be dangerous – even toxic to them:
- Grapes and raisins
- Avocadoes
- Tomatoes
- Pits/seeds/stones found in peaches, plums, apples, etc.
- Cherries
- Grapefruit
- Lemons
- Limes
FAQs on Can French Bulldogs Eat Apples?
1. How many apples per day can I feed my Frenchie?
Always feed apples in moderation to your Frenchie.
Feed no more than one apple every few days as they contain lot of sugar. Avoid feeding apple seeds as they contain traces of cyanide.
2. How many seeds from apples are toxic for dogs?
The ASPCA states that even 50-80 grams of apple seeds can be harmful to small-to-medium-sized dogs and could trigger vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal distress in pets.
To be on the safe side, completely avoid feeding apple seeds to your pet.
3. What to do if your dog swallows apple seeds?
In small amounts, a few apple seeds won’t do much harm to your Frenchie. However, over the course of time, they can accumulate in its system and cause poisoning.
Keep an eye out for symptoms of blockage, vomiting, etc. If these signs occur, see your vet right away.
Conclusion – Can French Bulldogs Eat Apples?
Yes, French bulldogs can safely eat apples in moderation as long as you do not feed them the leaves and seeds.
You can cook the apple in the form of a stew or directly feed it apple pieces.
They also make healthy treats while training.
Remember that not all human food can be good for your pet so checking with your vet is a must. Be it wet or dry food, raw food or homecooked, it is always best to research to avoid harm or food poisoning.
We hope this guide helps you safely feed apples to your Frenchie.
