Applesauce is a tasty treat that can be enjoyed with pancakes, waffles, eaten as a healthy snack, or with any other dish. Made from apples, it is also nutritious food. You might be wondering if a German Shepherd can also eat it for both nutritional purposes and as a food source.
Can German Shepherds eat applesauce? German Shepherds can eat applesauce however moderately in small quantities and occasionally because it can present potential health risks when consumed in large quantities. Dogs certainly don’t need it in their diet but it serves as a nutritional source for them.
While it is good to feed a German Shepherd nutritious food for healthy growth and development, you don’t want to put their health at risk by feeding them any human-based food because not all food that we eat should be given to our dog. This is because the food may not be good for them.
In this post, we will discuss the nutritional facts of applesauce, the benefits to a dog’s health, the risks associated with consuming it, and how to feed your German shepherd applesauce.
Table of Contents
Applesauce Nutritional Facts And Benefits
Applesauce is simply a sauce made from apples. It is made by cooking apples (peeled or unpeeled) with apple cider vinegar or water with added sugar and spices such as cinnamon for added flavor. It can be store-bought or homemade.
Applesauce being primarily made of apples contains their nutritional value.
Apples are a good source of dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, all of which are important for sustaining a healthy life.
The composition of vitamins includes vitamin C, K, E, A, B3, B2, B1, B6, B5, and folate. The minerals include:
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Zinc
- Potassium
- Manganese
- Sodium
- Iron and Magnesium
The nutritional benefits of applesauce for a German shepherd include:
Fiber
Fiber is an important element in the diet because it promotes digestive health. It supports the digestive system of a dog to function properly.
By helping digestion, fiber supports the smooth passage of stool through the gut which promotes regular bowel movement.
And because fiber speeds the elimination of stool from the digestive tract reducing exposure to carcinogens a German Shepherd may have ingested, it helps in reducing the occurrence of colon cancer.
Fiberalso eases constipation or diarrhea and also helps the colon recover from injury as well as prevents overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the gut.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C supports muscle and bone health. Bone health and muscle health are important for a vibrant life especially for a very energetic dog like the German Shepherd.
Vitamin C helps in reducing cognitive aging in a German Shepherd and also is a powerful antioxidant that removes free radicals in a dog’s body which reduces inflammation.
Inflammation in dogs can occur in different areas of the body such as the joints, gums, colon resulting from an infection, stress, or trauma.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A helps strengthen the immune system of a dog and also helps make the skin healthier and the coat stronger and shiny.
It is also important for eye health for good vision.
Calcium
Calcium is important in a dog’s diet because it supports the bones, nails, and teeth keeping them healthy and strong.
Calcium also supports muscle building, heart, and nervous system health.
Phosphorus
What Are The Potential Risks of Consuming Applesauce?
While applesauce is a tasty healthy treat for a German Shepherd, there are also a few risks that can be involved. Remember to always talk to your vet whenever you are changing or introducing any dog food or human food to your dog. Applesauce is not toxic for dogs and a German Shepherd but consumption can lead to:
Stomach upset and diarrhea
Although dogs can eat applesauce, their stomachs cannot handle human food well which makes them have stomach upsets. This is experienced more by puppies who usually have sensitive stomachs.
Stomach upsets can also be accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting. The sugar in applesauce also triggers diarrhea.
Dental cavities
The sugar in applesauce can also be a breeding source for bacteria in the mouth of a German Shepherd which can eventually lead to dental cavities.
Regular dental hygiene for a German shepherd is important to avoid this from happening.
Metabolic changes
Sugar within applesauce can cause changes in a German Shepherd’s metabolism.
Sugar increases the secretion of insulin which has several effects on other hormones in a dog’s body which can change the energy levels, muscle tone, fat storage, and immune system.
The changes can lead to a less active and weaker dog who is vulnerable to infections and other hormone-related diseases.
Harmful effects from sugar intake
Store-bought applesauce is not healthy for a German Shepherd because in most cases they have a lot of sugar and spices which is harmful to a dog.
Sugar is typically unhealthy for a dog because it leads to stomach upsets, diarrhea, weight gain, dental cavities and diabetes.
Note: Apples stems, seeds and leaves have cyanide within them which can lead to cyanide poisoning which is deadly to dogs. Applesauce however does not contain these parts so it is safe for dogs.
How To Feed Applesauce To A German Shepherd
Applesauce serving should not be more than 5% of a dog’s daily diet to reduce excessive consumption of it. It should only be given to a German Shepherd occasionally and in small quantities.
The recommendation is to make the applesauce yourself where you are in control of what goes into it compared to the store-bought options that have a lot of sugar, spices, and other substances that may not be good for your dog.
Preparation of the applesauce should have little or no sugar and keep the ingredients simple with no extra added spices.
Puppies should be fed very small quantities of applesauce, such as a teaspoon. Their stomachs are sensitive and may need to adjust to the applesauce. Monitor them for any signs of stomach upsets or diarrhea as a result of eating the applesauce.
Applesauce can be included in a dog’s diet in different ways. You can feed a German Shepherd applesauce in the following ways:
- Mix it in their meals.
Applesauce can be included in a German Shepherd’s diet by mixing it with their daily meals such as kibble, wet food, or raw food. The applesauce adds flavor to the food and more importantly is a way to provide a German Shepherd the nutrition from it.
- Treats
Applesauce can also be provided as treats to a German Shepherd. You can provide it by mixing it with their regular treats or make homemade treats made with applesauce.
- Feeding directly
The applesauce can be fed to your dog or puppy directly on its own as a small snack or treat.
Conclusion: Can German Shepherds eat applesauce?
Yes, indeed German shepherds can eat applesauce but only occasionally eat in small quantities. This is a safe way of feeding the applesauce to them without presenting the associated risks of consuming too much of it.
Although the German Shepherd does not need applesauce in their diet, they can benefit from the nutritional value of it when they are fed some and they would also enjoy having a tasty treat.
I hope this article helped you know whether German Shepherds can eat applesauce, the risk associated with eating it, and how to feed them applesauce. By following the different methods to have applesauce in their diet, you should be able to safely feed your German Shepherd with applesauce as a healthy nutritious snack or treat.
If you liked this article, you may also like to learn more from the below resources on German Shepherds.