Apricots are a delicious and tropical fruit, but are they safe for dogs to eat? The answer is yes, but with some precautions. While apricots themselves are generally harmless for dogs, it is important to avoid letting them eat any of the seeds, as they contain trace amounts of cyanide which can be harmful or even fatal in large quantities. The fruit itself can provide vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants for your dog, but it is best to only give them small amounts and avoid giving them the whole fruit.
Signs of Apricot Poisoning
If your dog consumes parts of an apricot, there are certain signs to watch out for that may indicate apricot poisoning. These signs can appear as early as 15 minutes after ingestion and include difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, bright red gums, fatigue, weakness, lethargy, and even shock, which can be life-threatening.
Body Language and Other Signs
Your dog may display noticeable body cues if they are suffering from apricot poisoning. These cues include weakness, raspy panting, lack of focus, sweaty paws, pushed forward lips, dilated pupils, and whale eye. Other signs of apricot poisoning can include choking, bright red gums, shock, lethargy, and raspy breathing.
Causes of Apricot Poisoning
Apricot poisoning can occur when a dog consumes too many apricots, either because they were fed too much by their owner or they found them on their own. It is important to keep apricots out of your dog’s reach to prevent them from overindulging and potentially facing a fatal situation.
Science of Apricot Poisoning
The dangerous part of the apricot for dogs is the seed, stem, and leaves, which contain cyanide. Cyanide is a toxic chemical that inhibits the enzyme necessary for cellular oxygen transport, leading to a lack of oxygen uptake by the cells. This can quickly result in death if a dog ingests a toxic amount of cyanide.
Training Your Dog to Stay Away from Apricots
Training your dog to avoid eating things they shouldn’t involves basic commands such as “don’t,” “no,” and “drop it.” It is also important to ensure your dog is comfortable with going to the vet, as they may need medical treatment in the event of apricot poisoning. Positive reinforcement, treats, love, and affection can help make vet visits and taking medication easier for your dog.
“Knowledge is the key to keeping your dog safe from apricot poisoning.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Apricots can be safely consumed by dogs but only in small amounts and without the seeds, leaves, pit, and stem which contain cyanide and can be harmful or fatal to dogs.
2️⃣ Symptoms of apricot poisoning in dogs include difficulty breathing, dilation of pupils, bright red gums, weakness, lethargy, and shock. These signs can be noticed as early as 15 minutes after ingestion, so it’s crucial to react quickly if your dog has eaten a large amount of apricots or any part of the plant.
3️⃣ Training dogs to avoid eating apricots involves teaching them commands like “don’t,” “no,” and “drop it.” It’s also important to keep apricots out of their reach and to ensure they are comfortable going to the vet and taking medication, in case treatment is necessary after apricot poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. Can dogs safely eat apricots?
– Yes, dogs can safely eat apricots in small amounts, but they should not eat the seeds, leaves, pit, or stem.
2. What are the signs of apricot poisoning in dogs?
– Signs of apricot poisoning in dogs include difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, bright red gums, fatigue, weakness, lethargy, and shock.
3. What are the body language cues of apricot poisoning in dogs?
– Body language cues of apricot poisoning in dogs include weakness, raspy panting, lack of focus, sweaty paws, lips pushed forward, dilated pupils, and whale eye.
4. What are the historic causes of apricot poisoning in dogs?
– Historic causes of apricot poisoning in dogs can include dogs eating too many apricots due to overfeeding or dogs getting into apricots without supervision.
5. What parts of the apricot are poisonous to dogs?
– The seeds, stem, and leaves of apricots contain cyanide, which is highly poisonous to dogs. The fruit itself is generally harmless in small amounts.
