Apples in Dog Food - Dog Nutrition DB

An apple a day keeps the vet away? Read on to learn about the potential benefits of apples in dog food.

Contents

Benefits of Apples in Dog Food

Apples provide a good source of fiber and beneficial phytonutrients. Apples are rich in quercetin, catechin, phloridzin, and chlorogenic acid, which are powerful antioxidants.

Apples also contain natural sugars and polysaccharides like apple pectin. Many manufacturers use dehydrated apples since they are easier to handle compared to fresh whole apples.

Overall, apples can be a healthy and nutritious addition to a dog’s diet when included in moderation and as part of a balanced diet.

Apples contain almost no protein or fat and except for potassium, they are low in minerals and other micronutrients.

But apples are rich in carbohydrates and fiber.

Nutrient content per 100 g^[2]
Water	85.6 g
Protein	0.26 g
Fat	0.17 g
Carbs	13.8 g
Fiber	2.4 g
Sugars	10.4 g
Energy	52 kcal
MINERALS
Potassium	107 mg
Sodium	1 mg
Magnesium	5 mg
Calcium	6 mg
Phosphorus	11 mg
Zinc	0.04 mg
Iron	0.12 mg
Manganese	0.035 mg
Selenium	<0.1 µg
VITAMINS
Vitamin C	4.6 mg
Vitamin E	0.18 mg
Vitamin A	3 µg
ß-carotene	27 µg
Lutein/Zeaxanthin	29 µg
Thiamine	0.017 mg
Riboflavin	0.026 mg
Niacin	0.091 mg
Biotin
Folate	3 µg
Pantothenic Acid	0.061 mg
Vitamin B6	0.041 mg
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)	2.2 µg

Apple Pomace in Dog Food

Apple pomace is a by-product of apple processing that can be used as an ingredient in dog food. It’s often dehydrated into dried apple pomace.

Apple pomace is the residue left after pressing juice from apples. It is made up of the skin, pulp, and seeds of apples and contains dietary fibers, antioxidants, and vitamins.

As a “waste product” of the apple industry, some people think badly of apple pomace or other pulp ingredients. However, using these in dog food could help reduce waste and promote sustainability.

The fiber in apple pomace can actually help promote digestive health and regulate bowel movements in dogs. For example, apple pectin is a soluble fiber with prebiotic properties.

Adding dried apple pomace to dog food can increase the number of beneficial bacteria in a dog’s gut, leading to an increase in the production of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid^[1].

However, it’s important to note that apple pomace can also contain high levels of pesticide residue, especially if the apples used in processing were not grown organically.

Overall, apple pomace can be a beneficial ingredient in dog food when used in moderate amounts.

Since fiber is the part of plant foods your dog can’t digest, too much of it can lead to digestive upset or simply be a filler (meaning it adds volume but no nutrients).

So we only expect to see apple pomace under the first 10 ingredients in, for example, weight management formulas.

Apple Cider Vinegar in Dog Food

Apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apple juice. It is sometimes used as a natural preservative extending the shelf life of dog food.

Apple cider vinegar can be used as a food flavoring.

It contains acetic acid, which on its own is approved as a safe food additive in the US and the EU.

Acetic acid has antimicrobial properties that can help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the food.

Apple cider vinegar is often promoted with various health claims as a functional ingredient. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support any of these claims!

According to European Food Safety Authority, a maximum concentration of 2.5 g acetic acid/kg of complete food is safe for dogs^[3]. And apple cider vinegar contains only about 5% of it.

Benefits of Apples in Dog Food

Apple Pomace in Dog Food

Apple Cider Vinegar in Dog Food

Further Reading