By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Summer stone fruit season brings bowls of apricots to Australian kitchen benches, and some cats will sniff, lick or bat them about. The soft orange flesh is not poisonous to cats. The problems sit in the parts we throw away: the stone, the stem and the leaves. Those carry cyanide-releasing compounds, and the stone itself is the right size to block a cat's intestine.
Key takeaways
- Ripe apricot flesh is not toxic, but cats are obligate carnivores and gain little from fruit.
- Apricot pits (stones), kernels, stems and leaves contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide.
- The stone is a choking and gut blockage hazard for cats.
- Dried apricots are concentrated sugar and are sometimes treated with sulfites.
- If your cat chewed a pit or swallowed one, call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738.
- Related: dried apricots and cats, peach pits and cats.
Why cats do not need fruit
Cats evolved as hunters, and their bodies run on animal protein and fat. They lack a working sweet taste receptor, so the sugar that makes apricots appealing to people means little to them. A cat may lick an apricot because of texture or curiosity, not because it is craving fruit.
That means any fruit is, at best, a novelty. Small pieces of flesh will not hurt most cats, but they can trigger vomiting or diarrhoea in sensitive individuals.
The pit, stem and leaves
Apricot kernels (the almond-like seed inside the stone) are rich in amygdalin. When the kernel is crushed, amygdalin can break down and release hydrogen cyanide, which stops cells from using oxygen. Apricot kernels have caused cyanide poisoning in people who ate them as a so-called health food, and Food Standards Australia New Zealand has warned against eating raw apricot kernels.
Cats rarely crack an apricot stone, so cyanide poisoning from a whole pit is uncommon. Chewed or broken stones, kernels from a health food packet, and fallen leaves or stems from a backyard tree are more concerning.
The stone also poses a physical risk. Its rough, rigid shape can lodge in the throat, the stomach outflow or the small intestine. A blockage can become life threatening.
Dried apricots
Dried apricots are sticky and sugar-dense. Many are treated with sulfur dioxide to keep their bright colour. A small piece is unlikely to cause harm, but it offers nothing to a cat and may cause stomach upset. Larger amounts of dried fruit can swell in the gut. Never offer dried fruit mixes, which may contain raisins or sultanas.
Signs to watch for
After eating apricot flesh:
- Mild vomiting
- Soft stools or diarrhoea
After chewing a pit, kernel, stem or leaves (cyanide concern):
- Rapid or difficult breathing
- Bright red gums
- Dilated pupils
- Weakness, wobbliness or collapse
- Tremors or seizures
After swallowing a whole stone (blockage concern):
- Gagging or retching
- Repeated vomiting
- Not eating
- Hiding, lethargy or a tender belly
- No faeces, or straining
What to do if your cat ate apricot
- Remove remaining fruit, stones and any fallen leaves.
- Check what is missing. Flesh only? A stone? A kernel?
- If only a small amount of flesh was eaten, offer water and watch for stomach upset.
- If a stone, kernel, stem or leaves were eaten, call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline.
- Do not induce vomiting at home.
When it is an emergency
Seek emergency care if your cat struggles to breathe, has bright red or pale gums, collapses, or has a seizure. Get urgent help too if your cat is choking, vomiting repeatedly, or seems painful after possibly swallowing a stone.
How vets help
Your vet will ask what was eaten and examine your cat. If a stone was swallowed recently, X-rays or ultrasound may be used to find it. Some objects can be removed with an endoscope, while others need surgery. A cat with signs of cyanide poisoning needs oxygen and intensive care, and specific antidotes are used in hospital when appropriate. Your vet will decide on the right approach.
Backyard apricot trees
If you have an apricot tree and an outdoor or enclosure cat:
- Pick up fallen fruit and stones daily during the season.
- Keep pruned branches and leaves out of the cat enclosure.
- Store kernel or "apricot seed" health products well out of reach.
FAQ
Can cats eat fresh apricot flesh?
A small piece of ripe flesh without skin or stone is not toxic. Most cats are not interested, and it offers little nutrition.
My cat licked an apricot. Is that a problem?
A lick of flesh is unlikely to cause any harm. Watch for mild stomach upset.
Are apricot kernels more dangerous than the stone?
Yes, kernels release cyanide much more readily once chewed. Keep raw apricot kernel products away from pets.
What about apricot-flavoured yoghurt or jam?
These are sugary and often dairy-based. Not toxic in small licks, but not a good treat for cats.
Talk with a vet
If your cat has been batting around an apricot stone and you think part of it is missing, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you decide what to do next. Speak with a Dial A Vet vet.
References
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Cyanide poisoning in animals.
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Raw apricot kernels.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and non-toxic plants: Apricot.
- Li X, et al. Pseudogenization of a sweet-receptor gene accounts for cats' indifference toward sugar. PLoS Genetics, 2005.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.