The next time you take a bite out of an apricot and find your pup begging for a bite, you may ask yourself, are apricots safe for dogs to eat? While dogs can enjoy these fruits in moderation, there are a few serious safety precautions you will need to follow when offering them this snack. To make sure you keep your pup safe when giving them a taste of your apricot snack, let’s discuss everything you need to know below. Let’s dive in!
Are Apricots Safe for Dogs to Eat?
When only offering your dog a small amount of the fruit portion of the apricot, the apricot is safe for dogs to eat. They do contain small amounts of sugar and fiber, but as long as your pup only gets a few small bites, most should enjoy the snack without issue. The next time you are cutting into a fresh apricot and your dog seems interested, there is no harm in offering them a taste. Just be sure to keep both the stem and the pit away from your dog at all times, but we will discuss the details of why this is so important below.
Do Dogs Like Apricots?
Not all people like apricots, and our canine friends are no different. Many dogs will enjoy the sweet flavor of a fresh apricot, but there is nothing wrong with your dog if they don’t. If you want to introduce some healthy fruits into your dog’s diet but they are not interested in apricots, you can always try any of the fruits we discuss in our detailed guide about dog-safe fruits here.
How Many Apricots Can I Give My Dog?
The fruit of the apricot is not toxic to dogs, but offering them too much of the fruit can certainly lead to an upset stomach. Apricots contain both sugar and fiber, and too much of these ingredients can cause a disturbance in a dog’s digestive tract. Because of this, we only suggest offering your dog 1-2 small slices of a fresh apricot. Not only should you avoid giving your dog too much apricot in hopes of preventing an upset stomach, but you should also stick to the 10% rule when it comes to offering your dog treats. Only 10% of a dog’s daily caloric intake should come from both human and dog treats, with the rest of their calories coming from their main canine diet. As long as you are offering your dog a high quality diet that fits their age and size requirements, your pup should be getting all of their essential nutrients each day. If you need some help in finding the best diet for your canine companion, you can take a look at our detailed guide on the best dog food options here.
Can Apricots Make My Dog Sick? Dangers to Be Aware Of
Just as we mentioned above, there can be too much of a good thing when it comes to apricots. Eating more than 1-2 small slices of apricot can lead to diarrhea and vomiting in dogs, as the high sugar and fiber content can disturb the healthy balance of flora in their gut. Most dogs will be just fine with a small taste of apricot, but eating an entire apricot or more can make a dog sick. •Real protein as #1 ingredient •Fruits & superfoods for vitamins & minerals •Antioxidants, omega fatty acids, prebiotics In addition to the GI upset risk that comes along with eating too much apricot in dogs, there are other serious dangers you should be aware of as well. The apricot stem, leaves, and the pit contain a toxic substance known as cyanide. Cyanide prevents the red blood cells within the body from using oxygen, which ultimately makes it impossible for your dog to breathe properly. Eating any amount of cyanide can lead to difficulty breathing, weakness, increased heart rate, seizures, and even death. In addition to the apricot pit containing cyanide, the pit itself can also lead to a stomach or intestinal blockage if the dog accidentally eats it whole. While some large dogs might be able to pass it with only some mild intestinal irritation, other dogs will develop a life-threatening blockage that can only be resolved with emergency surgery. And last, the pit of the apricot can be a choking hazard if a dog swallows it whole. This can be a fatal situation if you do not catch the event as it happens, as our pups don’t know how to communicate that they need help. As you can see, there are some serious risks associated with parts of the apricot outside of the fruit itself. This is why you should only offer your dog the meaty part of the fruit itself, and why you should throw away all stems and pits immediately after consuming the fruit. We also suggest keeping your trash can out of your dog’s reach, as some pups have been known to dumpster dive!
Are There Any Health Benefits of Apricots for Dogs?
Apricots are known as a healthy fruit due to being rich in antioxidants and containing beneficial fiber. They even have a reputation for lowering cholesterol levels in humans, so can this fruit offer the same benefits to dogs? While apricots are a healthy treat option for canine friends, they would have to eat quite a bit of it to soak in these perks. •Grain free option •Added vitamins & minerals Nonetheless, when offering a small amount of apricots a few times a week long term, there can be a few health benefits for your pup. Eating apricots can help to keep your dog regular with their bowel movements, it may promote their skin and coat health, and it may even support a strong immune system. However, if your dog is known to struggle in any of these areas, we do suggest reaching out to your vet for a more guaranteed treatment approach instead.
My Dog Ate An Apricot Pit – What Should I Do?
If your dog accidentally eats an apricot pit, we suggest reaching out to your vet immediately. We never recommend taking the ‘wait and see approach’, as it can take days for a dog to display symptoms of a life-threatening intestinal blockage. If the apricot pit is going to get stuck in your dog’s stomach or intestines, waiting will only complicate their recovery down the line. Once you reach out to your vet, they will likely recommend that you come in to their office so they can induce vomiting. They will likely give your dog an injection that will make them immediately nauseous, and they can monitor your dog’s vomiting in a controlled setting. Apricot pits can be a choking hazard in dogs, so if your pup does choke on the pit on the way up, they can act immediately. We do not recommend making your dog vomit at home due to choking hazard the apricot pit brings, as well as the irritation it can cause on the way up without a skilled vomiting approach.
Can Dogs Eat Dried Apricots?
Now that you know that fresh apricots are safe for dogs to eat when following a few rules, you may be wondering if dried apricots are safe as well. The answer to this question is yes, but you will need to feed your dog a smaller slice due to the fact that the drying process makes the fruit more concentrated. You should also avoid any dried apricots that are coated in sugar or sweet coatings, as this will only upset your dog’s stomach. As long as you give them a tiny bite and make sure the dried apricot is not candied, then your pup should be just fine. •L-carnitine to promote metabolism •Chondroitin & glucosamine for joint health •Healthy grains or grain free options
Final Thoughts On Apricots For Dogs
As long as you keep the pit, steam, and leaves away from your dog when giving them apricot slices, most dogs will enjoy this snack without issue. Just be sure to dispose of your apricot pit immediately after eating the fruit, as you never want to take any chances when your furry friend is around!
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