By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Bright orange dried apricots are easy to spot on a bench, and some cats will bat one to the floor and chew it. Many older articles say apricots are simply "not toxic" to cats. That is not quite right. The ASPCA lists the apricot plant as toxic to cats, because its stems, leaves and seeds contain compounds that can release cyanide. Dried apricot halves are pitted, so the flesh is the part most cats meet, and it is a poor treat rather than a poison.
Key takeaways
- The ASPCA lists apricot (Prunus armeniaca) as toxic to cats, dogs and horses.
- The stems, leaves and seeds (the stone and kernel) contain cyanogenic glycosides.
- Shop-bought dried apricots are pitted, so a nibble of flesh is unlikely to cause poisoning.
- Dried apricots are concentrated sugar and are commonly preserved with sulphites.
- If your cat chewed a stone, kernel or apricot tree leaves, call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline (1300 869 738).
- Related reading: vomiting and diarrhoea in cats.
The apricot plant and cyanogenic glycosides
Apricots belong to the Prunus group, along with plums, peaches and cherries. The ASPCA plant database lists apricot as toxic to cats and names cyanogenic glycosides as the toxic principle. It explains that the stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanide and are especially toxic when wilting. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes cyanide poisoning in animals, including bright red mucous membranes, as a feature.
That is why the stone and the kernel inside it are the real concern, along with leaves from a backyard tree. The flesh of the fruit is not where those compounds are concentrated. Apricot kernels are sometimes sold separately in health food shops. Keep those well away from pets.
Why dried apricot is a poor fit for cats
Cats are obligate carnivores. RSPCA Australia notes that cats need nutrients found only in animal tissue and cannot use plant foods the way dogs can. A dried apricot is small but dense in sugar, and cats lack a working sweet taste receptor, according to research published in PLoS Genetics. They are not missing out.
The Cornell Feline Health Center suggests treats stay under 10 to 15 percent of daily calories. Dried fruit is not a sensible way to fill that space.
Sulphites in dried apricots
Food Standards Australia New Zealand explains that sulphites are widely used to stop spoilage and keep colour, and lists dried fruit among the foods that commonly contain them. Added sulphites must be declared on the label of packaged food, so check the ingredient list. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that thiamine deficiency in cats has been linked to food preserved with sulfur dioxide. One stolen apricot is not going to cause that, but it is another reason not to feed dried fruit regularly.
Signs to watch for
After a bite of dried apricot flesh, the most likely problem is mild stomach upset:
- Vomiting or drooling
- Soft stools or diarrhoea
- A skipped meal
After a stone, kernel or leaves, the ASPCA lists these signs:
- Brick red gums
- Dilated pupils
- Difficulty breathing or panting
- Shock
A whole stone can also be a choking or blockage risk.
When to call a vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline
Call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline (1300 869 738) straight away if:
- Your cat chewed or swallowed an apricot stone or kernel
- Your cat chewed leaves or twigs from an apricot tree
- You are not sure what was eaten
Seek emergency care immediately for breathing difficulty, brick red gums, collapse or seizures.
Call within the day if your cat vomits more than once, stops eating, strains to pass stools or seems flat.
Do not try to make your cat vomit at home. The Pet Poison Helpline warns that salt should never be used to induce vomiting.
How vets help
Your vet will ask what part of the apricot was eaten, how much and when. A cat that ate a little dried flesh may only need monitoring. If a stone, kernel or leaves were involved, your vet may want to see your cat promptly to assess them and provide supportive care, or investigate if a stone may be stuck in the gut.
Prevention
- Keep dried fruit in a closed pantry or sealed container.
- Store apricot kernels and trail mixes out of reach.
- Pick up fallen fruit, stones and leaves under backyard trees.
- Bin stones in a lidded bin.
FAQ
Are dried apricots poisonous to cats?
The flesh is not considered a poisoning risk, but the apricot plant is listed as toxic and the stone and kernel are the concern.
My cat licked an apricot. Is that a problem?
A lick of flesh is unlikely to hurt. Watch for vomiting and call your vet if worried.
Do dried apricots have stones?
Most shop-bought dried apricots are pitted. Home-dried fruit may not be.
Is apricot jam a safer treat?
No. It is mostly sugar and offers cats nothing.
Talk with a vet
If your cat has chewed an apricot stone, a kernel or tree leaves and you want help deciding what to do, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can talk it through. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants. Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Apricot.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Cyanide Poisoning in Animals.
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Sulphites.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Nutritional Disorders of the Spinal Column and Cord in Animals.
- RSPCA Knowledgebase. Do cats have special nutritional requirements?.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding Your Cat.
- Li X, et al. PLoS Genet. 2005;1(1):e3. Pseudogenization of a Sweet-Receptor Gene Accounts for Cats' Indifference toward Sugar.
- Pet Poison Helpline. Salt.
- Animal Poisons Helpline (Australia, 1300 869 738). Animal Poisons Helpline | 24/7 Pet Poisoning Advice.
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.