Yes, cats can eat apricots in small quantities and with caution.
Yellow orange in colour, apricots are delicious, fleshy fruits that belong to the genus Prunus. They may be eaten fresh or dried, and are known to be low in calories and high in essential nutrients. These include vitamins A, C, E, and potassium.
Cats are known for being obligate carnivores. They are creatures that do not need to consume plant-based food to meet their nutritional needs. However, they can enjoy fruits as treats as long as these do not go beyond 2% of their total calorie intake. Apricots may be enjoyed by your cats as long as they only eat the fleshy part.
Similar to plums, peaches, and cherries, the leaves, stems, and pit of apricots are poisonous to cats. These contain the compound cyanogenic glycosides, which can become toxic when in the process of wilting. Symptoms of apricot poisoning include brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, and shock.
How to feed apricots to your cat: Always speak with your veterinarian before introducing new food to your cat. Find out how much apricot she is allowed to eat, and how often she can eat it based on her size, weight, age, physical activity, and health conditions.
Carefully check the ripe fruit for any rotting parts. Remove these as well as the stem, leaves, and pit before offering it to your cat. It is advisable to slice the flesh into smaller pieces to prevent choking. Dispose of the pit, stems, and leaves properly to avoid your cat from accidentally playing with or eating them.
Cats can also eat dried apricots as long as they do not have any unnecessary flavourings such as sugar or cinnamon.
Here are three ideas for apricot treats your cat will love:
- Chop up one piece of dried apricot and mix it with your cat’s food.
- Make baked apricot chews for Kitty.
- Chill bite-sized chunks of the ripe apricot and give them as refreshing afternoon treats!
In summary: Cats can occasionally eat apricots in limited amounts. Just remember to remove the fruit’s stems, pits, and leaves. Refrain from overfeeding her or the excess fiber found in the fruit may cause diarrhea.
If your cat enjoys eating fruits, you can read up and discover other plant-based food you can safely feed her! Check out our “can cats eat” blog category.
References:
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. All fields are required.