We humans are happy to offer our canine companions fruit as a sweet treat because we understand its nutritional value.
However, before you feed Fido any fruit, you should make sure that it is safe for canines to consume. Is it true that apricots are safe for canines?
Can dogs eat apricots?
When given in moderation, apricots are fine for dogs to eat, but watch that they don’t get the tough pit.
The sweet and juicy flesh of an apricot is safe for your dog to eat and can provide them with a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals.
Apricots, in small pieces, can be added to homemade doggy ice cream recipes or other treats you create for your dog. The apricot on its own is a much healthier alternative to the processed doggy biscuits.
Remember to remove the pit (or stone) from the inside of the apricot before feeding it to your dog.
Like most fruits, apricots have a lot of fiber and sugar, and giving your dog too much could cause gastrointestinal distress in the form of vomiting and diarrhea.
It’s unlikely that even a massive meal will hurt them, unless, of course, they also swallow the stones.
Can dogs eat dried apricots?
Dried apricots are safe for dogs to eat because the pits have been removed during the drying process.
You should cut it in half first to make sure the pit is gone and to stop your dog from swallowing the whole thing at once.
However, because all the nutrients within the apricot are essentially concentrated as it is dried, dried apricots need to be fed in smaller amounts than fresh fruits.
Dried apricots are a convenient and tasty treat for your dog, but they should be limited to prevent him from consuming an unhealthy amount of sugar.
Make sure there is no added sugar or other unhealthy ingredients on the label before giving your dog any dried apricots.
You should never give your dog a mixture of dried fruits that includes apricots because it may also contain sultanas, currants, or raisins, all of which are extremely poisonous to canines.
Dried fruit and nut mixes are also not safe for Fido to eat because they may contain harmful ingredients like macadamia nuts, other dried fruits, and even currants.
Can dogs eat apricot jam?
The ingredients in apricot jam are typically not toxic to dogs, but the high sugar content is not good for your dog.
Your dog might become overly active if they consume excessive amounts of sugar, and they could gain weight and develop diabetes if they do so on a regular basis.
Do not give your dog any sugar-free jams, either, as some of them contain xylitol, a substance that is toxic to dogs even in small doses.
Can dogs eat apricot yoghurt?
Yogurt is safe for dogs to eat, but I would avoid giving my dog apricot flavored yogurt. Make sure there aren’t any poisons or artificial flavors lurking in the mix by reading the label.
It should be safe for your dog to lick your apricot yoghurt if it is flavored with real fruit pieces and juices and contains no harmful additives.
Treat your dog to a dollop of yoghurt. Fresh or even dried apricots are probably better options if you’re looking to treat your dog to a healthy fruity snack.
Can My Dog Drink Apricot Juice?
Since dogs shouldn’t consume a lot of sugar, fruit juice isn’t a good treat.
Although apricots themselves don’t have a lot of sugar, apricot juice sometimes does. Sugar is commonly added to apricot juices during production, just like it is with dried apricots.
Even without added sugar, the sugar content of a serving of fruit juice is higher than that of the whole fruit it was extracted from, and it contains no dietary fiber.
Can Dogs Eat Apricot Skin?
The skin of an apricot is safe for your dog to eat. The skin of an apricot is where most of the fruit’s fiber content is found. This can also be useful for cleaning their teeth as they eat.
Are apricots bad for dogs?
When consumed in moderation, apricots pose no health risks to canines. But moderation is key because the excessive consumption of the fiber and sugar in those fuzzy fruits can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in your dog.
If they overeat only once, it shouldn’t be too serious or dangerous.
The apricot’s main drawback is the stone they contain. Similarly to the cyanide found in many other fruit seeds and stones, apricot stones are poisonous. Your dog will become poisoned as it chews on the stones, which will release the venom into its system.
Unless your dog is extremely small, like a Chihuahua, a single apricot stone is unlikely to be fatal.
But it can still make them extremely ill. You should never risk your dog getting sick by letting it eat an apricot stone.
If swallowed, these hard stones can cause intestinal blockage and even choking. Overall, you should try to stay away from apricot stones because they never lead to anything good and provide zero nutritional value.
The flesh of an apricot, on the other hand, is completely safe for your furry friend to consume, so feel free to treat them to a dried apricot or a piece of fresh fruit every once in a while.
Are apricots poisonous to dogs?
The pits and skins of apricots can be toxic to dogs, but the flesh of the fruit is safe for canines to consume. However, the fruit’s stone and the whole apricot plant are toxic to canines due to the presence of cyanide.
Along with cherries, plums, peaches, and nectarines, apricots belong to the “Prunus” plant family. Even though the plants themselves are toxic to dogs, the fruit is sometimes safe for canines to eat.
If you have an apricot tree in your yard, keep Fido away from the fallen fruit because he or she is likely to eat the stones, leaves, and stems along with the apricots, increasing the risk of gastrointestinal illness or even death. Dogs are also susceptible to the intoxicating effects of fermented fallen fruit.
In the event that your dog consumes an entire apricot—pit and all—you should seek veterinary attention and keep a close eye on it.
Are apricots good for dogs?
Because of their diminutive size, a single apricot won’t pack a ton of calories or sugar. A dog’s digestive system will thank you for the skin’s high fiber content.
You can find some vitamin E and some antioxidant vitamins A and C in apricots, making them a reasonably healthy snack. Vitamin A is a great antioxidant that will help your dog’s eyes stay healthy.
Their immune system is bolstered by vitamin C, and vitamin E is essential for cellular processes and fat metabolism.
In addition to the vitamins and beta carotene, which are all antioxidants in their own right, apricots also contain other antioxidants.
These aid in protecting your dog’s cells from oxidative stress and may even delay the aging process. Because the body converts beta carotene into vitamin A, it provides even more benefits to your pet.
Health Benefits of Apricots for Dogs
Apricots are one of the healthiest fruits you can eat. Apricots are an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, folate, potassium, magnesium, calcium, beta carotene, and iron.
About 17 calories, 3.9 grams of carbs, and 3.2 grams of sugar can be found in a regular apricot. About half a gram of protein and nearly a full gram of dietary fiber can be found in each serving. Also, apricots have a low-fat content.
There is some evidence that eating dried apricots can help reduce blood cholesterol and blood pressure. Reason being: they contain a lot of healthy nutrients like soluble fiber and potassium.
The anti-inflammatory polyphenols found in apricots have been shown to improve cardiovascular health. In addition to providing beta carotene, which helps protect eyesight, apricots also aid in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.
Even more so for senior dogs, these supplements are crucial. The anti-inflammatory properties of apricots help dogs with everything from joint pain to diabetes.
How many apricots can dogs eat?
The safe amount of apricots a dog can consume is not fixed and will change depending on the size of the dog. If the pit is removed and the apricot is cut into small enough pieces, a large breed dog might be able to eat the whole thing.
A small dog, however, shouldn’t consume more than half an apricot per day. Once again, this needs to be broken up and the stone taken out.
The 10% rule applies to most fruits as well. This means that treats, such as apricots, shouldn’t account for more than 10% of your dog’s total daily calorie intake. Ninety percent of their daily caloric intake should come from healthy meal options.
What Should I Do If My Dog Eats an Apricot?
Try not to freak out! The amount and size of your dog are the most crucial factors to think about if you feed them apricots.
You should keep a close eye on your dog for the next hour to make sure it doesn’t show any signs of apricot poisoning. Take your dog to the vet immediately if you notice any signs of toxicity.
Veterinarians may be concerned about apricot poisoning if you suspect your dog has eaten an apricot pit. However, they will probably want to examine your dog to rule out a bowel obstruction.
How to Get Your Dog to Eat Apricots
It’s not uncommon for dogs to develop a natural preference for apricots. Although meat makes up the bulk of a dog’s diet, it is not uncommon for canines to actively seek out their preferred produce.
In order to prevent your dog from ingesting any unwanted pits, stems, or leaves, you should always keep a close eye on them when they are near apricots.
Provide apricot slices as a treat on their own, pair them with other nutritious snacks, or work them into its regular diet.
Are Apricot Seeds Poisonous for My Dog?
Pits from apricots can be harmful to your dog because they contain a cyanide compound. In high enough concentrations, cyanide is toxic. Just like with any other substance, the toxic effect depends on the amount consumed.
Within 15 to 20 minutes of eating an apricot seed, your dog may begin to show signs of toxicity. Canine signs of apricot poisoning include:
- Breathing rapidly or with difficulty
- a widening of the eyes’ pupils
- exhaustion, listlessness, and shock
- Redness of the mucous membranes and gums.
- Aggression
A dog can die from apricot poisoning if it is not treated immediately. If you want your dog to get prompt medical attention, call your vet right away.
Five Ways To Add Apricots To Your Dog’s Diet
The following are some suggestions for feeding apricots to your dog. These treats are sure to be a hit with your furry friend.
Frozen
Frozen apricots are a tasty and cooling summertime treat for your dog. You can try freezing them after slicing them thinly. If so, give them to your dog to eat like a popsicle.
Pureed
If you’re concerned about how your dog will react to whole apricots but still want to give them to them for their health benefits, try pureeing them first.
It goes great on its own or in a variety of other desserts. This is an excellent method for feeding apricots to senior dogs whose teeth aren’t as strong as they once were.
Baked Treats
There are a plethora of apricot-based dog treat recipes available online. If you have any dried apricots on hand, you can make these dog-friendly Apricot Anzac Biscuits or these special Apricot Muffins.
Sliced on Its Own
There is no need to spoil an excellent thing every once in a while. If your pet enjoys apricots as a treat, you can give them to him or her whole or cut them into manageable chunks.
Added to Dog Food
Adding apricots to your dog’s regular kibble is a healthy and hassle-free option for feeding your pet this fruit.
You can add as much or as little as you like by dicing them up and sprinkling them over your dog’s food. The “special” dinner will be a hit with them.
Recap: Are dogs allowed apricots?
The central stone must be removed from the apricot before feeding it to your dog.
Both fresh and dried apricots are safe for dogs to eat, and they can provide a natural source of vitamins and a tasty, juicily sweet snack.
When compared to an apricot, however, the benefits of feeding your dog a complete and balanced dog food like Pure are much more substantial.
Apples and other fruits like them are included in Pure recipes because they are high in fiber, aid in digestion, and promote gut motility due to their high nutrient and vitamin content.
Instead of overfeeding your dog sweet snacks like apricots, consider giving them a complete meal that already includes fruits with functional benefits.