I love drinking apple juice and use it for some of my morning smoothies. I know a lot of pet parents get suckered into sharing their food and drinks with their Pugs, especially, when their dog looks at them with those big bulging eyes. Before you give your Pug any type of juice, it’s important to know what Pugs can drink and eat safely to avoid health issues.
Yes or No: Can Pugs Drink Apple Juice?
Even though your pooch loves eating apples, you should NOT give them apple juice, because of the high sugar content (and other preservatives that may harm your doggy).
In fact, some of the ingredients on certain juices may even be toxic to your four-legged friend. Juices with added sugar can be harmful to dogs and may even cause loose stools and other types of bowel irregularties.
To get a better understanding of why you should avoid giving dogs apple juice let’s take a closer look at what’s in the juice.
What Is Apple Juice?
It is a juice that undergoes a filtration process to remove pulp and then pasteurized to increase the shelf life. Store-bought juice isn’t just made from apples.
Often times it is made from artificial flavorings and other additives. Even pure apple juice has preservatives adding to prevent it from spoiling quickly. Most commercially prepared juices contain high amounts of sugar, which are not good for dogs and some humans.
At the time of this writing, there are over 50 brands available, with Minute Made, Ocean Spray and Mott’s being some of the ones that people prefer.
Nutritional Facts
One cup of apple juice:
- Calories: 114
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Potassium: 250 mg
- Carbohydrates: 28 grams
- Sugars: 24 grams
- Sodium: 9.9 mg
- Protein: 0.3 grams
The amount of sugar and other ingredients will vary depending on the type and brand of apple juice you purchase.
Are There Any Benefits To Giving Pugs Apple Juice?
Since apples are safe for dogs, it’s easy to think that they can benefit from drinking apple juice. However, there are no benefits of giving Fido apple juice.
Some people believe that apple juice can help their dog overcome constipation.
The truth is that there is no scientific evidence that backs up this myth.
Instead of apple juice, put on your walking shoes and take your Pug for a walk once a day. Increasing their daily exercise can help regulate their bowel movements.
If your dog has severe constipation, you need to call your veterinarian to help get relief for your pooch.
Is Apple Juice Safe For Pugs?
Unfortunately, all store-bought apple juices contain toxic ingredients that will cause your dog to suffer from loose stools and other digestive issues.
Drinking too much apple juice can also cause an upset tummy and vomiting.
The Dangers Of Apple Juice For Pugs
While most apple juices are not toxic to dogs as long as they are not given in large amounts. That being said, most fruit juices are loaded with sugars, artificial colors, and preservatives which can be harmful to your pooch.
Dogs just do not have the same digestive system that we have and too much sugar can lead to dental problems, obesity, diabetes and more.
This is the main reason that dogs shouldn’t be fed candy.
Can Pugs Drink Homemade Apple Juice?
Many people prefer to make their own juices because they don’t want to drink all that sugar. Homemade juice can be good for your pooch, as long as you don’t add any sugar toxic ingredients that harm your pooch.
Use organic apples as they are less likely to have harmful pesticides that can be dangerous for both you and your pooch.
Homemade apple juice should only be used as a special treat, not as an everyday drink or a replacement for water.
You can also freeze some apple juice in an ice cube tray and put a cube in your dog’s water on a hot day to help them cool down.
If you’re into juicing, then try this vegan dog juice that dogs will love. This video will show you how to make it and their dog loves it!
Alternatives To Water
If you’re curious about what else dogs can drink besides water, there really aren’t a lot of alternatives. While it’s okay for Pugs to have coconut water or small amounts of homemade apple juice.
Your pooch will benefit the most from fresh clean filtered or tap water.
Final Word On Giving Pugs Apple Juice
If you just can’t say no to Fido when he stares at you, then consider giving them homemade apple juice to consume on occasion.
There isn’t a lot of scientific evidence that states apple juice is good for helping dogs overcome constipation or other bowel irregularities. Instead, you may want to consider giving your dog apple cider vinegar for this.
There’s nothing better than giving your Pug a bowl of fresh clean water to keep them hydrated!
References And Further Reading
Taylor & Francis Online – M B Andon, M Peacock, R L Kanerva & J A De Castro – Calcium absorption from apple and orange juice fortified with calcium citrate malate (CCM)