Can Dogs Eat Apricots? Yes, in moderation: Safe Amount by Weight

In moderation

Yes, in moderation

dogs can eat the flesh of fresh apricots in small amounts. Never let them eat the pit, stem or leaves, which contain cyanogenic glycosides, and the pit can cause a blockage.

Apricots for dogs at a glance

Can dogs eat it?	In moderation
Calories	About 17 kcal per fresh apricot (pitted)
Main benefit	Vitamins A and C, potassium and fiber
Main risk	Pits, stems and leaves contain cyanide-producing compounds
Puppies?	In tiny amounts once on solid food; puppies have sensitive stomachs

How many apricots can a dog eat?

Vets recommend keeping all treats under 10% of daily calories. One fresh apricot (pitted) has about 17 kcal. The chart shows the most a typical spayed or neutered adult dog could have in a day if apricots were the only treat.

Dog weight	Daily treat budget	Max apricots per day
10 lb (4.5 kg)	35 kcal	2 × fresh apricot (pitted)
20 lb (9.1 kg)	59 kcal	3 × fresh apricot (pitted)
40 lb (18.1 kg)	98 kcal	5.5 × fresh apricot (pitted)
60 lb (27.2 kg)	133 kcal	7.5 × fresh apricot (pitted)
80 lb (36.3 kg)	166 kcal	9.5 × fresh apricot (pitted)

Benefits and risks

Benefits

Vitamins A and C, potassium and fiber
Antioxidants
Naturally sweet treat

Risks

Pits, stems and leaves contain cyanide-producing compounds
Pits can cause choking or blockages
Dried apricots are high in sugar

How to feed apricots to your dog

Remove the pit, stem and leaves
Slice the flesh
Offer one or two slices

What if my dog ate too much apricots?

Eating more than the recommended amount usually causes nothing worse than an upset stomach: soft stool, gas or vomiting. Skip treats for the rest of the day, keep fresh water available and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or your dog seems unwell.

Planning treats? Check your dog's full daily needs with the dog food calculator or dog calorie calculator.

Apricots and dogs: FAQ

Can dogs have apricots?

Yes, dogs can eat the flesh of fresh apricots in small amounts. Never let them eat the pit, stem or leaves, which contain cyanogenic glycosides, and the pit can cause a blockage.

My dog ate an apricot pit. What should I do?

Call your vet. One pit is unlikely to cause cyanide poisoning, but it can cause a blockage, especially in small dogs.

Can puppies eat apricots?

Yes, in very small amounts once they are eating solid food. Puppies have sensitive stomachs, so offer a tiny piece and stop if you see loose stool. Most of their calories should come from a complete puppy food.

More "can dogs eat" guides

Browse lists: all fruits dogs can eat · human foods dogs can eat · foods dogs can't eat

Sources

This guide is general information for healthy adult dogs. Dogs with medical conditions (such as diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease or food allergies) may need different advice from their vet.

Can Dogs Eat Apricots?