If you’re like most pet parents, you’re always on the lookout for healthy snacks that you can share with your four-legged friend. After all, who doesn’t love to see their pup enjoy a delicious treat? Fruits are a great option for doggy snacks, and apricots are no exception.
For the most part, both fresh and dried apricots are safe and healthy for dogs to eat. They contain fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, all of which can be beneficial for your pup.
However, there are a few things you should keep in mind if you’re considering sharing this sweet snack with your dog.
Remove the Pit Before Feeding Apricots to Your Dog
While the flesh of an apricot is perfectly safe for your dog to eat, the pit (or stone) is not.
Apricot pits have amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside that can release cyanide when it’s metabolized. The amount of amygdalin in an apricot pit is small, so it’s unlikely that your dog would consume enough to cause serious harm. Still, never take the risk, and make sure to remove the pit before giving your dog an apricot.
In addition to the amygdalin, apricot pits are also large and hard, which can pose a choking hazard to your dog. If your pup does manage to swallow a pit whole, it could cause an intestinal blockage that would require surgery to remove. Even swallowing a piece of the pit can be dangerous if you have a small dog breed.
So, to be safe, remove the pit before sharing the fruit with your dog, throw it out properly, and don’t let them play with apricot pits or any other type of fruit stone.
How to Feed Apricots Safely to Your Dog
If your dog could have their way, they’d stuff themself silly with as many apricots as they could get their paws on. But just because food is safe for your dog to eat doesn’t mean you should let them eat as much as they want.
Follow these tips to keep snack time safe and healthy:
Introduce Apricots Slowly
If your dog has never eaten apricots before, start with just a small piece to see how they react. Some dogs may be sensitive to the high sugar content and develop an upset stomach.
Feed Your Dog Apricots in Moderation
Like all fruits, apricots should only make up a small part of your dog’s diet. A good rule to follow is the 10% rule, which means no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories should come from treats. That means if your dog eats 1,000 calories a day, no more than 100 of those should be from apricots or other snacks.
Choose Fresh or Dried Apricots Over Canned Apricots
Canned fruits often have added sugar, preservatives, artificial colors, and other ingredients that can be harmful to your dog, so avoid them altogether. Instead, give them fresh or dried apricots with no added sugar or other ingredients.
Keep an Eye Out for Signs of Stomach Upset
If you notice your dog is vomiting, has diarrhea, or seems lethargic after eating apricots, it’s best to stop feeding them and call your vet. These could be signs of intolerance or reaction to the fruit.
Final Thoughts
Fruits like apricots are a fantastic addition to your dog’s diet. As long as you remove the pit and feed them in moderation, they can enjoy this healthy snack with no problems. However, you should always monitor them while feeding them fruits to ensure that they don’t have a negative reaction to these fruity treats.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
