Is cooked quince safer for my 12-pound dog than cooked apple, and what about the seeds?

Short answer

Cooked quince flesh is only mildly risky for a 12-pound dog — the main concern is the seeds, which contain cyanogenic compounds similar to apple seeds. A few seeds are unlikely to poison a dog of this size, but removing them before offering the fruit is the safe approach. Apple seeds carry the same risk, so neither fruit should be given with the core or seeds intact. Serve only the soft cooked flesh in small pieces, watch for vomiting, and call your own vet if anything seems unusual.

Quince — Food safety facts

Feed with care · Dogs · full breakdown on the linked food page

Cooked flesh is safe in small amounts. The seeds contain cyanogenic compounds.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Feed with care), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Quince is not poisonous to dogs, but it is easy to over-feed. Rich fat, salt or seasoning can bring on vomiting or diarrhoea within a day, and repeated large portions are a recognised trigger for pancreatitis.

If it ate some before you noticed, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or a painful, swollen abdomen over the next 24 hours. A one-off small amount in a healthy adult usually passes with water and rest; repeated exposure, a puppy or kitten, a senior, or a pet with an ongoing illness is a reason to call your vet the same day.

Why these cautions matter

Stone-fruit pits and some seeds release cyanide when crushed, and quite apart from that they are a choking and blockage hazard.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Quince food facts page.

Open the full food page: Quince food facts →

Is cooked quince safer for my 12-pound dog than cooked apple, and what about the seeds?

Quince — Food safety facts

Why these cautions matter

Owners also ask