Fruits. Most of the time, they are sweet treats for our dogs and they can provide a lot of health benefits. However, in some cases, they can be very dangerous, and even toxic, to our tail-wagging furry pets. 

But what about apricots? They are sweet, delicious fruits that a lot of us humans like to eat. 

However, not everything that we eat is safe for our dogs. Our bodies function differently from theirs. 

So all this leads to a question a lot of us dog lovers have which is, “Can Dogs Eat Apricots?” In this article, you will learn whether dogs can eat apricots. You’ll also learn about this fruit’s health benefits and/or if it has harmful effects on our dogs. 

Can Dogs Eat Apricots?

The short answer is maybe, kind of, sort of.

We know that’s not totally helpful. So let’s unpack this a little bit so you have some more concrete info to act on.

Yes, dogs can eat apricots. They can be an okay food for dogs. 

But, at the same time, they can also be a harmful fruit. And we will tell you why. 

There are many types of fruits that are not good for dogs such as grapes, and avocados. You should totally avoid giving them to your dogs.

However, apricots do not fall into that category, as long as you feed them to your dog the right way.

Health Benefits of Apricots For Dogs 

The flesh of an apricot can be a good food for our furry pooches. It contains a number of benefits for dogs. 

Apricot is rich in certain minerals and vitamins. It is rich in fiber, potassium, and beta carotene. 

Apricot also has high levels of potassium. Potassium can keep your dog’s bones strong and healthy. This makes Apricot a good food for older dogs.

Fiber helps in solving a dog’s digestive problems. Foods rich in fiber such as apricot can help against bowel movement problems.

Apricot also has beta-carotene which helps against inflammation. 

The Danger of Feeding Apricots To Your Dog

However, not all the time or not all parts of apricots are healthy and good for dogs. 

Too much fiber can also cause an upset stomach. So it is best to limit how much apricot you will feed to your dog. 

What is really dangerous about apricots to our dogs, however, iis their stems, pits, and leaves. These parts of apricots can cause cyanide poisoning. 

And cyanide poisoning is a serious threat to the well-being of dogs. It can be potentially lethal, especially if it is left untreated. 

If your dog has eaten the pit or the toxic part of the fruit (stem or leaf) check out for these symptoms:

  • Panting
  • Weakness
  • Tucked tail
  • Dropped ears
  • Dilated pupils
  • Wrinkled nose
  • Whale eyes
  • Drowsiness
  • Bright red gums
  • Shock
  • Collapse
  • Extreme lethargy

Are Dried Apricots Safe For Dogs?

Yes, most of the time, they are the safer option if you want to feed your dogs apricots. That is because the pits are already removed which means that the risk of cyanide poisoning is less. 

So in conclusion, it is best for your dog to eat only the flesh of this fruit and definitely avoid the toxic parts (leaves and stem), especially the pit.

Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs

This article is part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?”

How about garbanzo beans? Are they safe for our dogs to eat? Find out in our article “Can Dogs Eat Chickpeas?”

Leave a Reply