Tasty Tuesday: Applesauce for Doggies

A few weeks ago, we went apple picking and brought home a whole lotta apples. To use up some more of our supply, I decided to make some applesauce for Chewy. It was pretty simple- the most intensive part was peeling all the apples.

I used 6 large assorted apples (I have no idea what varieties they were) and ended up with 4 pint-sized jars of applesauce. You might want to work on a much smaller scale. Also, keep in mind that sweeter apples yield sweeter applesauce.

First, wash, peel, core and slice your apples. Apple seeds are toxic for dogs, so be sure to remove all of them. Some people simply cut their apples into quarters or eighths, but I figured it would be easier to stir smaller chunks. You can also use one of those apple corer/slicer gadgets to lesson the labor.

My selection of apples- peeled, cored, and chunked

Throw your apple slices/chunks into a pot, and add about an inch of water and some lemon juice (optional- it keeps the apples from going brown). Stirring occasionally, bring to a boil, then simmer with the lid on until the apples get mushy, about 30 min. Add cinnamon to taste at any point during cooking. I chose to add it towards the end so I could see what it looked like mixed in.

Add cinnamon as desired

Once the apples are soft and cooked through, remove from heat. Use a potato masher/fork to work it into a chunky applesauce, or use a blender/food processor to puree it.

Applesauce post-blender

You can then choose the canning route so your applesauce keeps longer, or simply store it in a jar in the fridge.

Once the applesauce has cooled, you can give your doggy a taste! It can be used as a topping for kibble, in treats, or eaten plain. Remember to serve in moderation.

I'm here for a sample!

Chewy Goes Apple Picking

It's apple season! Over the weekend, we took Chewy upstate to Wright's farm for his first apple picking adventure. 

(The circle at the top right is an apple cider donut- at first I thought it was a sad representation of an apple!)

They have a farm stand and bakery, as well as 453 acres of land (so many apples!). There is an admission fee of $10 per adult, which includes a 1-peck bag for you to fill with apples. You drive your car directly into the orchard, and there's a large grassy parking lot where many visitors set up picnic blankets and BBQ grills. Interspersed in those groups were lots of doggies! It was slow going through the parking lot because Chewy had to greet all those pups!

The orchard was full of rows and rows of apple trees, in many different varieties. 

There were golden apples, so we had to pick some of those! 

They're all for me, right?

Chewy really enjoyed the lush greenery on the edges of the orchard. Thankfully, we didn't have a problem with ticks or other bugs.

There were "scenic wagon rides" through a small section of the orchard. Chewy loved the wind in his fur, and licked his chops when we were close to the apple trees.

There was also a resident doggy that rode around in a golf cart with his orchard-tending daddy. Naturally, he and Chewy had a few pee battles. His daddy was busy talking to customers, so I didn't get the dog's name, but he was a real snuggle bug!

I liked how welcoming the farm was toward doggies and the extensive variety and abundance of apples. However, some sections had a lot of powder around the trees that I assume was either pesticide or herbicide. The apples also felt powdery throughout the orchard, so I didn't let Chewy pick up any. (That's also why Chewy's leash is different colors in these photos. We changed from long leash to short leash to keep him away from bad things more easily)

As we drove out of the orchard, an attendant checked our car to make sure we weren't taking more apples than we paid for. She even wanted us to pop the trunk, but then Chewy stuck his head out from the back, so she was like "Oh, nevermind!" 

Next, we checked out the farm stand. They had all sorts of fall goodies, including flowers, gourds, pumpkins and squashes. Chewy thought everything smelled delicious. We bought some grilled chicken legs for lunch, and since they had an unseasoned option, we got one of those for Chewy. 

***Don't let your dog eat the drumstick bone!
It is a choking hazard, and may cause all sorts of internal damage***
I rip the meat off to offer to Chewy.  

After collecting lots of apples, getting some exercise, and filling up his tummy, Chewy was all set to head home. I wonder if he thinks all those apples are for him!

Ready to go home!