Can Dogs Eat Apple Cores? No — Choking and Seed Risks

Why apple cores are risky for dogs

The core is the tough, fibrous center of the apple, with the stem and seeds attached. The American Kennel Club says to keep cores, seeds and stems away from dogs, because the tough core and stem could cause choking, and to watch for digestive trouble or a blockage if a dog eats one.

Dogs that catch a tossed core or grab one from a picnic often swallow it almost whole. A core is about the size of a small dog's throat and is too firm to break down quickly in the stomach, which is how it can lodge in the esophagus or the intestine.

Apple seeds and cyanide

Apple seeds contain amygdalin, which releases cyanide when the seed is crushed or chewed. The AKC notes the seeds contain a small amount of cyanide and says a small number of seeds is unlikely to cause harm. Pet Poison Helpline likewise says to remove the core and seeds because the seeds contain a small amount of cyanide.

The risk grows with quantity and chewing. A dog that eats a bucket of windfall apples or a bag of cores from the compost is in a different position from one that swallowed a single core. In those cases, call your vet or a poison line with an estimate of how many cores were eaten.

What to do if your dog ate an apple core

Stay calm and check your dog is breathing comfortably and not gagging or pawing at the mouth. If your dog is choking, get to a vet immediately. Otherwise, note roughly how many cores were eaten and when, and your dog's weight.

For one core in a medium or large dog, most vets will advise watching at home for a few days. For a small dog, several cores or a lot of seeds, call your vet the same day. Do not make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.

Signs of a blockage or other trouble, and when to call a vet

Over the next one to three days, watch for vomiting, retching, drooling, loss of appetite, a tender belly, straining or not passing stool, and lethargy. Any of these after eating a core means call your vet that day, because a blockage can become serious quickly.

Get help immediately for choking, repeated gagging, a swollen belly or collapse. Poisoning from seeds is unusual after apples, but difficulty breathing or sudden weakness after a large amount of seeds needs emergency care.

How to serve apple safely

Wash the apple, cut the flesh away from the core in slices, and throw the core, stem and seeds away. The AKC says peeling makes apple easier to digest. For a dog under 20 lb, cut slices into cubes about the size of a blueberry.

The AKC suggests that just an apple slice or two is enough, because a whole apple carries a lot of sugar. As a guide: under 20 lb, one or two small cubes; 20 to 50 lb, one or two slices; over 50 lb, up to three slices, a few times a week.

For dogs that gulp anything new, a slow feeder bowl or a lick mat keeps portions small and eating slow.

Puppies and apple cores

Puppies are more likely to choke on a core, and a puppy's small intestine is easier to block. Keep cores, compost and fallen garden apples out of reach, and supervise puppies in orchards and yards with fruit trees.

The AKC says puppies can eat apples in small amounts. Start with a single small piece of peeled, cored apple and watch for digestive upset or an allergic reaction before offering more.

Safe apple treats instead of the core

Plain, unsweetened applesauce is safe in moderation, the AKC says, and freezing it in an ice cube tray makes a cool treat. Thin, cored apple slices baked slowly at 200°F until crisp make simple apple chips with nothing added.

Dispose of cores in a lidded trash can, not an open compost pile, and ask children not to share their apple cores with the dog.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.