Can Dogs Eat Apricots?

Before giving your dog some of the fruit you are eating, you have to ensure it is safe for them to eat. Say, for example, you enjoy some apricots and see your dog drooling over them. What do you do in this case? Do you just give him the apricots?

Let’s see.

Are Apricots Safe for Dogs?

Apricots are considered natural and healthy fruits that are acceptable for dogs to eat as long as their consumption is limited. However, you must ensure your dog doesn’t eat the pit or the stem. Unlike the other parts of the fruit, these parts are hard to chew and can harm them.

Your furry friend can enjoy the fleshy parts of the fruit with no problem. They are a delicious treat that can supply them with essential minerals and vitamins. Substitute processed doggy biscuits with this healthy variety. You can even use these parts to create tasty treats, such as making your dog some homemade ice cream.

To avoid choking, especially with smaller dogs, cut the apricot into smaller-sized pieces that are easier for them to eat. You should also remove the stony pit and the hard stem to eliminate any choking hazards.

Moreover, exercise moderation when feeding your dog apricots because they contain a lot of fiber and sugar that can upset its stomach in high doses.

Are Apricots Good for Dogs?

This small but delicious fruit is good for your dog. A single apricot is safe as it doesn’t contain many calories or sugar. The apricot skin contains a lot of fiber that assists your dog’s digestion. It can add bulk to those experiencing frequent diarrhea, giving them healthier stool.

Apricots also contain some vitamins, including vitamin A, C, and a little vitamin E. Vitamin A is important for your pup’s overall well-being. Like in humans, the vitamin is key in ensuring your dog’s eyes are always healthy.

Vitamin C is an important immune system booster. Vitamin E assists in fat metabolism and ensures various cell functions work as they should. These vitamins also act as antioxidants, helping your pooch look younger.

Apricots also contain another essential antioxidant – beta carotene. This antioxidant helps protect your dog’s cells from oxidative damage and slows aging. Beta carotene further converts into vitamin A, helping keep your dog’s immune system healthy.

Are There Downsides to Dogs Eating Apricots?

In controlled portions, there are no downsides to apricots. Letting your pup overindulge in them, however, can cause negative results. For example, they might vomit or have diarrhea because of the sugar and fiber in the fruit. The effects will not last long or cause lasting illnesses as long as they only overeat once.

The stone or the pit is the biggest downside to apricots. Besides being a potential choking hazard, the pit can also be poisonous. It contains cyanide that gets released and absorbed into their bodies when chewed.

A single pit will most likely not put your dog’s life at risk (it can be fatal for small dog breeds, such as Chihuahuas), but it can make them quite ill. To avoid this, do not let your pup ingest any pit, as you cannot tell how they will react to it.

The pits can also result in intestinal blockage when swallowed, stopping multiple processes in your dog’s body and causing stomach upset. Pits can also cause constipation which can be painful.

Are They Poisonous?

Apricots come from the same family of plants as plums, nectarines, cherries, and peaches. The plants are poisonous to dogs, but the fruits are safe for your canine to eat. The leaves and other parts of the plant contain more poison than the cyanide found in the pit.

You should take extra care of your furry friend if you grow an apricot tree in your backyard. Ensure they do not get near the plant or eat any of its fallen leaves.

Also, keep them away from any fallen fermented fruit as they are intoxicating and may put your pup in danger. Reach out to your vet for advice if your dog eats a whole apricot, stem, pit, or the apricot plant. You should also monitor them for any signs of illness and rush them to the vet if you see any.

How Many Apricots can a Dog Eat?

There is no specific number of apricots that are safe for your dog to eat; the number varies according to their size. Big breeds can eat a whole regular size apricot or two smaller ones. Only let them eat the apricot once you remove the pit and cut the fruit into bitesize chunks.

Smaller dogs should only eat half a large apricot or a full small one. You should always take the measures above when feeding your pup apricots to avoid any dangers.

The best way to feed your pup apricots is by following the 10% rule. It states that dogs’ treats should only make up 10% of their daily caloric intake. The remaining 90% should come from their regular balanced meal. This rule will help you stay within your pup’s recommended intake.

Start by feeding your dog one chunk at a time and identify whether it like the fruit or not. This will help you find out if your pup is allergic to the fruit.

Keep an eye on your dog and observe any changes in behavior after initially feeding them apricots. If you see them fidgeting, vomiting, or developing hives, that is your sign never to feed them apricots again. If they react just fine, you can increase the amount you give them.

Can Dogs Eat?

Apricots can come in many forms. The first is the regular apricot you get from the grocery – the fresh fruit. As highlighted above, it is safe and healthy for your dog.

Here are other varieties you may come across:

Apricot Jam

The jam is usually made only from apricots (without any added ingredients). However, some brands might use different ingredients to spice it up. With these, you must ensure the ingredients used won’t harm your dog.

Even safe apricot jam contains a lot of sugar that is dangerous for dogs. Too much sugar can cause hyperactivity and, when fed continuously, can make your dog overweight and lead to diabetes.

Sugar-free apricot jam is even more dangerous as it contains the artificial sweetener, xylitol, which is toxic to dogs, even in minuscule amounts.

It is, therefore, best to avoid feeding your dog apricot jam as it does more harm than good.

Dried Apricots

These are usually de-stoned and safe for dogs to eat. Cut one in half before giving it to your pooch to ensure they don’t gulp the whole thing down at once.

You have to be more careful with dried apricots, as their flavors are more concentrated than the fresh ones. All the water/juice in them is removed while drying, making the sugars more concentrated. Because of their small size, your dog might eat more and ingest an unhealthy amount of sugar.

Moreover, ensure they do not contain any harmful additives. Some apricots that come with mixed fruits can contain sultanas, raisins, and currants, which are highly toxic to dogs. Other varieties are mixed with toxic nuts, such as macadamia.

Apricot Yogurt

Your dog can have apricot yogurt, but it requires caution on your end. Ensure the yogurt has no toxic ingredients, artificial sweeteners, or flavors. Your dog can eat apricot yogurt flavored with real fruits or fruit juices.

Give them a spoonful of the yogurt once in a while as a treat. Do not overdo the amount, as that can harm your dog.

Wrapping Up

You can share apricots with your pup if you observe moderation and get rid of the pit. Apricots make your dog as delicious and nutritious a treat as they do for you.

Fresh and dried apricots are safe for your dog. Nevertheless, be cautious of any dried varieties or apricot yogurt you buy. Always read the ingredients list to ensure everything used is dog-friendly and will not harm your pup. Also, adhere to the 10% rule when feeding them the fruit.