Yes. Dogs can eat apricots in moderation. Apricots are safe for dogs to consume unless they don’t eat the stem or the hard stone inside the fruit. The outer fruity flesh is safe and does not harm the dog. It makes a delicious treat for the dog when sliced in bites and used as a topping on homemade ice creams. Apricots can also be a healthy alternative to processed dog biscuits as they contain vitamins and minerals. However, like any other fruit, apricots are high in sugar and fiber, which dogs should consume in moderation.
Table of Contents
What is an Apricot?
Apricot is a fruit belonging to the Prunus sect, Armeniaca. Apricots are drupes similar to peaches and range from yellow to orange to tinted red. These fruits have a smooth surface with tiny hairs, and the flesh is usually succulent. Apricots can range from sweet to tart in taste. The fruit has a single seed enclosed in a hard shell and referred to as “stone.” Apricots are loaded with numerous nutrients and are the healthiest of all fruits.
Nutritional Value
Apricots are highly beneficial and packed with essential vitamins and minerals. For example, a 3.5 ounce of apricots contains the below nutrients:
Calories
48
Total Carbohydrates
11g
Sugars
9g
Dietary Fiber
2g
Fat
0.4g
Protein
1.4g
Vitamin B6
5%
Iron
2%
Sodium
1mg
Magnesium
2%
Calcium
1%
Vitamin C
5%
Proteins
1.4g
Potassium
259mg
Are Apricots Safe for Dogs?
Apricots are safe for dogs to consume as they contain excellent benefits. The apricot skin has fiber which may help in the dog’s digestion. In addition, they also contain vitamin A and C and a bit of vitamin E, which is vital in cell functions and fat metabolism. Some variants of apricots that dogs can consume are frozen apricots, pureed apricots, and dried apricots. Some parts like the leaves, pit and the stem are unsafe for dogs. However, it is safe for dogs to eat apricots in moderation.
Why Is Apricot Good for Dogs?
The nutrition benefits include the following:
Beta-carotene is a potent antioxidant and an immune system regulator. In dogs, it’s also a provitamin A. Both cell-mediated immune responses are influenced by beta-carotene. Beta-carotene boosts plasma antibody levels and improves hypersensitivity in dogs.
Vitamin A helps your dog’s vision and skin health and heals wounds quickly. It also aids bone growth, reproduction, and the immune system.
Vitamin E is essential for cell functions and metabolism.
Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant that helps in boosting the immune system.
Folate ensures fast cell development during puppyhood, adulthood, and pregnancy, regulates homocysteine levels in the blood, and employs amino acids to construct new proteins. Vitamin B9 or folate has a role in regular blood production, immunological function, cell division, and tissue development.
Potassium is an electrolyte essential for your dog’s health. It helps electrical charges in the heart and the proper functioning of nerves and muscles. If your dog lacks this vital mineral, you may notice that they are constantly fatigued, abnormal, or have no desire to eat.
Magnesium: At the cellular level, magnesium is involved in energy generation. Magnesium is required to allow the passage of energy whenever your pet moves a muscle, has a heartbeat or thinks.
Iron is needed to accomplish critical processes, including carrying oxygen throughout the body in the hemoglobin of red blood cells so that the cells can generate energy. Iron is also required to function various enzymes in the body properly.
Calcium is an essential dietary component for your dog’s health. It is necessary for bone and tooth development, nerve impulse transmission, cell communication, muscle contraction, and blood coagulation. Therefore, it’s critical for your dog’s general health that he gets adequate calcium.
Fiber is an excellent source of nutrients for a dog’s digestive system. The healthy bacteria in your dog’s colon digest fiber into fatty acids. This fatty acid then aids in the recovery of the colon by preventing the expansion of harmful bacteria.
Why Are Apricots Bad For Dogs?
While apricots are safe for dogs to eat in moderation, the other parts of the apricot, like the stem, leaves, stone, or pits are deadly as they contain toxic cyanide. If your canines ingest any of these parts, it leads to acute cyanide poisoning which can be as quick as 15-20 minutes. Cyanide blocks an enzyme that carries oxygen through the dog’s body. It can also lead to choking hazards and indigestion. Look for the below symptoms if you see your dog ingesting the toxic parts of apricot.
Panting
Tail-tucking
Dilated pupils
Extreme lethargy
Loss of consciousness
Collapsing
Drooping ears
Always train your dog to be away from apricots to avoid consequences. Contact your vet immediately in case of any mentioned symptoms.
How Many Apricots To Feed My Dog?
There is no definitive amount of apricots a dog can eat and it depends on the size of the dog. A large breed dog can eat a whole apricot fruit with the pits removed and sliced into bites. While a small dog can safely eat half an apricot in the same manner. Like any other fruits, it is best to eat no more than 10%, and the remaining 90% should be the recommended balanced meal.
How To Serve Apricots To My Dogs?
Apricots contain antioxidants and nutrients that help to fight cancer. You can add a few bites of apricot fruit to your dog’s diet by chopping them into small pieces. You can also offer them as baked apricot dog-treats. The stem, leaves, and pit should be avoided to avoid poisoning. Too many bites may lead to digestion issues due to the fiber content.
What If My Dog Ate Apricots?
If your dog accidentally eats the apricot as a whole, it may lead to problems in the mouth, stomach, intestines, and esophagus. Here are the symptoms to look out for:
Pain while urinating
Frequent urination
Blood in the urine
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain
Scraped gums
Broken teeth
If the dog cracks open the pit, it may lead to cyanide poisoning. Cyanide is found in the kernel, and its ingestion can be deathly within minutes. Always contact your vet immediately if any of the below symptoms pop up.
Salivation
Rapid breathing
Seizures
Paralysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Are apricots poisonous to dogs?
No. Dogs can eat apricots in moderation, avoiding the stem, pit, and leaves.
Can dogs eat apricot yogurt?
Yes. Dogs can eat apricot yogurt that is safe to consume as an occasional treat.
Can dogs eat apricot jam?
Apricot jam is not toxic for dogs, yet they contain high sugar levels, which is unhealthy for dogs.
Can dogs eat apricot juice?
No. Since juices may contain high sugar content, they are not to be offered to dogs.
Final Thoughts
Apricots are the most beneficial of all fruits and are packed with vitamins and minerals. Dogs can safely consume the flesh of the apricot fruit, avoiding the stem, leaves, and pit, which are toxic to dogs. The pit or stone found in the kernel contains cyanide which causes death within minutes when consumed. Dogs can eat a few bites of apricot flesh in toppings on a diet. Apricots also contain nutrients and antioxidants that help to prevent cancer and cell damage and are safe for dogs when consumed in moderation. If your canine shows any symptoms after ingesting the toxic parts of the apricot, contact your vet immediately.
