Can dogs eat apricots? One of the most important questions to answer is what kinds of foods are safe for your pet. Most pet owners love sharing their favorite snacks with their furry friend. Fresh fruits are often at the top of the list because they are seen as healthy and safe.

But not all foods that humans enjoy are safe for pets, including dogs. Apricots are generally a safe treat with a few important caveats. Read on to find out everything you need to know about safely sharing apricots with your dog!

Woman sharing a bowl of fruit with a dog. If you're a dog owner who shares fruit snacks with your dog, have you ever stopped to ask — If you share fruit snacks with your dog, have you ever wondered “Can dogs eat apricots?”

Health Benefits of Apricots for Dogs

Apricots are a highly nutritious fruit. Apricots contain iron, magnesium, potassium, beta carotene, calcium, folate, and vitamin C. The typical apricot has about 17 calories, 3.9 grams of carbohydrates, and 3.2 grams of sugar. They also contain about half a gram of protein and almost one gram of dietary fiber. Apricots are low in fat, too.

Evidence suggests that apricots may help lower blood cholesterol and reduce blood pressure. That’s because they are rich in soluble fiber and potassium. Apricots are also full of anti-inflammatory polyphenols, which can benefit cardiovascular health. Apricots also help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and provide beta carotene to help protect eyesight.

These vitamins are also extremely important for dogs, especially senior dogs. Apricots can help dogs improve their eyesight, reduce inflammation related to joint problems and arthritis, and maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Can Eating Apricots Harm My Dog?

Closeup of beagle puppy chewing a piece of orange-colored fruit, possibly a slice of apricot.

When feeding your dog apricots, you need to ensure you serve only the fruit. The stems, leaves, and pit are all choking hazards that also contain a cyanide compound. These can be dangerous for pets to consume. In fact, dogs may require medical attention if they consume them, especially in high volumes.

Additionally, too many apricots can be harmful to dogs’ digestive balance. Dogs may experience gastrointestinal upset after eating too many fruits. If you notice your dog suffering from diarrhea or constipation after eating apricots, take note to feed them smaller portions. Fruits like apricots should make up no more than about 10 percent of your dog’s diet. A generally safe bet is to feed fruit in moderate portions a few days apart.

Apricot pits can pose a choking hazard, another reason you don’t want your canine friend to eat an entire apricot. Pits can also become lodged in the intestines, causing a bowel obstruction that could be life-threatening if left untreated.

How to Get Your Dog to Eat Apricots

Many dogs take to apricots on their own initiative. While dogs are carnivorous and the vast majority of their diet reflects that, they often seek out their favorite fruits and vegetables. This means it’s important that you supervise your dog around apricots to ensure they don’t consume pits, stems, or leaves. You can try offering slices of apricot alone, with other healthy snacks, or integrate the fruit into its daily food.

Are Apricot Seeds Poisonous for My Dog?

Apricot pits contain a cyanide compound that can be dangerous for your dog’s health. Cyanide is a poison at sufficient dosages. As with almost everything, the dose makes the poison. If your dog consumes an apricot seed, it may start showing symptoms of toxicity within 15 or 20 minutes. Symptoms of apricot poisoning in dogs include:

Panting or difficulty breathing
Exaggerated pupil dilation
Fatigue, lethargy, and shock
Mucous membranes and gums are bright red
Aggression

If left untreated, apricot poisoning can be fatal to your dog. Be sure to contact your vet right away so your dog can get immediate care.

Can My Dog Drink Apricot Juice?

Fruit juice is generally not a suitable treat for dogs because of the high sugar content. While apricots tend to have relatively low sugar content, apricot juice can be a different story. Just like with dried apricots, manufacturers often add sugar to apricot juices. Plus, even fruit juices without added sugar have more sugar per serving than fruit itself while lacking any dietary fiber.

Can Dogs Eat Apricot Skin?

Yes, your dog can safely eat apricot skin. Apricot skin contains most of the dietary fiber found in the fruit. Plus, this can help clean their teeth while they chew.

Five Ways To Add Apricots To Your Dog’s Diet

Closeup of dog eating food from a dog dish. Now that the answer to — Now that you know the answer to “Can dogs eat apricots” is “Yes,” you may be wondering “How can I get my dog to eat apricots?”

If you’re looking for ways to add apricots to your dog’s diet, try one of these ideas. Your furry friend will love eating these tasty treats.

Frozen

In the hot summer months, frozen apricot can be a welcome and refreshing treat for your dog. Try slicing them thinly and popping them in the freezer. Then let your dog enjoy them like a popsicle!

Pureed

If you want your dog to get the health benefits of apricots but aren’t sure how they’ll react to fresh fruit, try pureeing it. You can mix it with other treats or serve on its own. This can be a great way to give apricots to older dogs whose teeth aren’t as strong.

Baked Treats

There are tons of recipes for homemade dog treats that include apricots! Try making these Apricot Anzac Biscuits with dried apricots or these special Apricot Muffins just for dogs.

Sliced on Its Own

Sometimes, there is no point in messing with something great. If your dog loves apricot treats, feel free to slice them into safe pieces and share them just as they are.

Added to Dog Food

If you want a safe and simple way to give your dog apricots, putting them in their regular kibble is a great choice. Just dice up the amount that you want and sprinkle them in your dog’s food dish. They will love the “special” meal.

FAQ

What Should I Do If My Dog Eats an Apricot?

Don’t panic! If your dog eats apricots, the most important considerations are the amount and your dog’s size. Monitor your dog closely over the next hour to ensure it doesn’t exhibit any symptoms of apricot poisoning. If your dog begins showing symptoms of toxicity, take them to the vet right away.

If you are concerned that your dog may have eaten an apricot pit, call your vet right away — hey may be concerned about apricot poisoning. More than likely, however, they’ll want to see your pup to make sure they don’t have a bowel obstruction.

Can Dogs Eat Dried Apricots?

Dried apricots are potentially the best bet for sharing with your dog. Because dried apricots are sliced with stems, pits, and leaves removed, they are safe in reasonable servings. Dried apricots deliver all the nutritional benefits found in fresh apricots.

Since dried apricots have more sugar per serving, take care that you feed less than you would with fresh fruit. Also be aware that some manufacturers add sugar to dried apricots, which can be quite unhealthy for your dog (and for you!). Without added sugar, dried apricots still have a relatively low glycemic index.

So…Can Dogs Eat Apricots?

Young girl offering an apricot to a Dalmation dog.

For most dogs, apricots are a safe and healthy treat as long as dogs consume only the fruit. Apricot pits, stems, and leaves are all toxic to dogs in sufficient amounts. Apricots are nutritious and many dogs enjoy them.

Does your dog eat apricots? Comment below to let us know how you and your dog enjoy them together!

Wondering about other fruit your dog may or may not be able to eat? Click here to read our collection of articles about fruits and dogs. (And if you have a cat, click here to read our fruits and cats articles.)