Apricots are great. They are sweet, juicy, and they are good for you. At least they are for humans. But something that is healthy for us doesn’t necessarily have to be healthy for our pets. So can dogs eat apricots?

Is your dog in danger after eating apricots or can dogs eat apricots safely? Stick around to find out.

Now, we understand that most people who search for these articles are already late to the party. You have probably searched this article up because your dog had already eaten an apricot (or a few).

So if you want to know if apricots are safe for dogs, we have the answer. And the answer is: “Maybe.”

Unfortunately, that is not an answer that will make you happy, so read on to get the full details.

There is definitely a way for your dog to safely eat apricots. That is, as long as you remove the seeds, the stem, leaves, and the pit.

Once you do so, the apricot should be a perfectly safe snack for your puppy.

To be clear, we wouldn’t recommend feeding large quantities of apricots to dogs. However, you can give them some “meat” of the apricot safely.

Just remember, the plant parts can actually be quite dangerous. Which leads us to the next part of our article.

The short answer is: “Yes, there are definitely parts that you should avoid.” The stem, the pit, the seed, and even the leaves of this tree can be quite dangerous.

Namely, all of those parts contain cyanide. And as we all know, cyanide is extremely dangerous. In fact, it can even be hazardous to humans.

The pits actually contain cyanide in the form of amygdalin. Amygdalin is a compound sugar that our body will metabolize into hydrogen cyanide. And dog bodies are no different.

For that reason, the apricot plant is listed as being toxic to dogs. We should remind you that only the plant parts are toxic. The fruit itself is perfectly safe (in moderation) as it doesn’t contain any cyanide.

However, if you have an apricot tree in your yard, you should make sure to stop your dog from approaching it without supervision. Apricots are very sweet, and some dogs love the taste, so your dog just might start eating apricots that fell to the ground.

Not only are the pits toxic to dogs, but they are also quite large, and they could cause blockages. The pit could get stuck in the dog’s intestines, or even the esophagus.

Your dog will probably beg you for pretty much anything you start eating. And the fact that it is not something he usually eats will not stop him.

So, if you do choose to feed your dog apricots, you might want to know what the benefits the fruit offers are.

For starters, even though dogs don’t need them, carbs can be an excellent source of energy for them. They are inexpensive and practical if you are in a pinch.

The fruit also offers beneficial fiber. A certain amount of fiber in the dog’s diet can promote gastrointestinal health in your furry friend.  However, giving your dog too many apricots can still cause issues with the dog’s stomach.

Another benefit that dogs can reap from eating apricots is the fact that they are rich in antioxidants. And since antioxidants can help with free radicals, they are always a useful addition to a dietary plan.

Furthermore, a study from 2007 has shown that antioxidants can greatly improve the cognitive abilities of elderly canines.

In fact, the same study has shown that antioxidants have made dogs become more social and energetic.

A careful dog owner might want to know if there are any side effects that apricots can cause. And unfortunately, there are several you should consider.

As we have said, there is a safe way of feeding your dog apricots, and there is an unsafe way.

If you want to feed your dog apricots safely, you should cut the apricot into slices and dispose of the pit. Feed the dog with small amounts and everything should be ok.

However, even if you are careful, there are several side effects to bear in mind.

The first side effect comes from the fact that apricots are rich in fiber. And while fiber can be good for your dog, it is possible to have too much of a good thing.

Namely, your dog can develop diarrhea if he is fed apricots too frequently.

We should also mention that apricots are rich in sugar as well. So it would be wise to avoid giving your dog a lot of sweet fruit.

​Unfortunately, there is a chance for your dog to eat an entire apricot even if you take utmost care to make sure that doesn’t happen. So, if that does happen to your dog, you should be on the lookout for early symptoms. These are the common symptoms:

Some of the symptoms of toxicity become apparent around 15 minutes after the fact. So make sure to be near your dog to be able to notice them.

The first symptoms you can expect to see include your dog having difficulty breathing, their pupils might dilate, and their gums might turn bright red. Soon after, there is a chance that your dog might exhibit signs of weakness or fatigue.

We would recommend being on the lookout for panting or shock as symptoms. Remember, large amounts of unsafe parts of apricots can be lethal to your dog! ​

It is also very important for you not to panic when you see that your dog has eaten apricots. Call your vet as soon as you can, and make sure to organize a checkup.

​Can dogs eat apricots? If you take care, they can. But the benefits don’t really outweigh the side effects. So, if their puppy eyes are begging real hard, you can give them a bit of apricot from time to time, but remember to avoid giving them the dangerous bits.