Yes, dogs can eat dried apricots in moderation. Dried apricots are packed with essential nutrients to help your dog’s overall immune system. However, remember that moderation only can keep your dog safe. Dried apricots have a higher concentration of sugar and calories. Therefore, as a responsible pet parent, you must be careful before offering your dog dried apricots.
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What Are Dried Apricots?
Apricot is also referred to as stone fruit. Dried apricot is an apricot that is dehydrated to concentrate most of its nutrients. Dried apricots don’t rot early due to the dehydration procedure.
Are Dried Apricots Safe For Dogs?
Yes, dried apricots are safe for dogs in moderation. However, you must avoid its few parts, which can pose a hazard to your dog.
Pit: The pit contains cyanide, which is harmful to dogs. In addition, the pit can also pose a choking hazard
Stem: The stems too have cyanide and can pose a choking hazard to your dog.
Leaves: The leaves can lodge into your dog’s throat and create irritation.
Why Are Dried Apricots Good For Dogs?
Dried apricots are beneficial for your dog’s health due to their nutrients. Let us see why dried apricots are good for dogs:
Vitamin A helps your dog’s vision and skin health and heals wounds quickly. It also aids in bone growth, reproduction, and the overall immune system.
Vitamin E is essential for a number of 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, which is 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 required 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 required 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.
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.
Fiber is an excellent source of nutrients for a dog’s digestive system. The healthy bacteria usually found 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 any harmful bacteria.
Why Are Dried Apricots Bad For Dogs?
Even though dried apricots are good for dogs, it has their downsides, which must be kept in mind.
Cyanide: Dried apricots’ leaves, stems, and seeds have cyanide which is toxic to dogs. Cyanide tends to combine all the metabolic enzymes of the dogs’ body, which leads to blockages. Therefore, cyanide can be dangerous for your dog. Here are the consequences of consuming cyanide:
Low transferring of oxygen
Breathing issues
Lethargy
Suffocation
Droopy ears
Panting
Bright red gums
Dilated pupils
Tremors
Shock
Fits
Seizures
The collapse of the neural system
Coma
Death
Excessive dried apricots: Dried apricots flesh in massive amounts is toxic to dogs leading to:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Dehydration
GI Issues
Diabetes
Obesity
Weight gain
Cardiovascular issues
Joint pain
How Much Dried Apricots To Feed My Dog?
Moderation is the key to the good health of your dog. If you are offering your dog dried apricots, remember to provide only a minimum amount of flesh once or twice in two weeks. Consult the vet about the amount for better advisories. The vet will prescribe your dog a diet.
How To Serve Dried Apricots To My Dogs?
Are you planning to serve dried apricots to your dog? Here’s how you can serve dried apricots to your dog:
First, remove the seeds and skin.
Wash them properly.
Shred the flesh and add it as their food topping.
Your dog will enjoy the dried apricots on their food occasionally.
What If My Dog Ate Dried Apricots?
If your dog consumes dried apricots accidentally in large numbers, he will face:
Gastrointestinal issues
Abdominal pain
Stomach disorder
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Dehydration
If your dog consumes dried apricots with the skin and seed, take your dog to the vet immediately, regardless of any symptoms. The symptoms which will appear are:
Shock
Panting
Whining
Red gums
Unable to breath
These will be the primary symptoms. Therefore consult the vet and rule out the issues. Then, follow as the vet prescribes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can puppies eat dried apricot?
No, puppies cannot eat dried apricot. Dried apricot is not recommended for dogs due to their vulnerable digestive system. Their digestive system is weaker than an adult dog. Therefore, any human food is prohibited for them.
Can dogs eat apricot juice?
No, dogs cannot eat apricot juice as it contains extra sugar. Sugar is harmful to dogs to consume. They cause diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular issues et cetera. Thus, it is best not to serve them with apricot juice.
Can dogs eat apricot jam?
No, dogs cannot eat apricot jam due to the higher sugar concentration and other preservatives. Homemade jam is also unhealthy for dogs, as sugar is a must in preparing jam.
Final Thoughts
Coming to the end of the article, we can conclude that dried apricots in moderation are good for dogs. However, the dried apricots must be free of seeds, skin, stems, and leaves. These elements of the dried apricots are harmful to dogs, as they have cyanide and can pose a threat to your dog. Before introducing dried apricots to your dog, remember to consult a vet. Ensure a healthy and happy life for your dog!
