Can Dogs Eat Dried Apricots?

Dried apricots are a great snack for humans. Not only do they taste good but they are also low in fat and sodium. But are they are good snack for dogs? Can dogs eat dried apricots?

This article will dive into whether or not to feed this dried fruit to your pup as well as provide other healthy alternatives.

So, Can Dogs Eat Dried Apricot?

Yes, dogs can eat dried apricots, but it isn’t recommended. Although dried apricots aren’t toxic to dogs, the sugar content and preservatives in most store-bought versions aren’t healthy for your dog on a regular basis. Homemade dried apricots are the safest bet to feed your dog.

What is Dried Apricot?

Dried apricot is the dehydrated form of the popular stone fruit. The flesh part of the apricot is treated to remove most of its water content.

This process shrinks the fruit but preserves and concentrates most of its nutrition. That includes beneficial fiber, vitamin A, and potassium. Because it is dry, it doesn’t spoil as quickly and is more convenient to snack on.

Potential Hazards of Feeding Your Dog Dried Apricot

Apricots are listed as a toxic food for dogs, but only because the pits, stems, and leaves contain cyanide. When dogs ingest these parts, it could lead to severe consequences.

Dried apricots, however, are made solely from the fruit’s flesh,

which does not contain any substances that are harmful to dogs.

Nevertheless, feeding your pup dried apricots is not completely safe. These snacks are typically preserved using chemical compounds like sulfites and sulfur dioxide.

Although these are not expected to cause any immediate reactions, these preservatives are linked to thiamine deficiency in dogs.

Additionally, dried apricots contain plenty of sugar.

The fruit itself is rich in fructose, which is concentrated after it has been dried. It is also common for manufacturers to add sugar to improve palatability.

Unfortunately for dogs, the high sugar content in dried apricots means it is not really an ideal treat.

To minimize the risks of feeding your canine dried apricots, choose products that are preserved without the use of sulfur dioxide and sulfites. Also, opt for the ones with no added sugars.

But even with better products, you should still refrain from giving your dog this food too often.

Benefits of Feeding Dried Apricot to Your Dog

Many dogs love the taste and texture of dried apricots. It can also be a better alternative to many commercial dog treats that don’t offer much in terms of nutrition.

Although they aren’t really meant to be included in any dog’s diet, they’re high in fiber and rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin A and potassium.

How to Make Your Own Dried Apricots

If you really enjoy dried apricots and want to share them with your pup, you might want to try making your own. Dehydrating your own apricots enables you to ensure that the fruit pieces don’t contain added sugars or harmful preservatives that many store-bought options have so they are safer for your dog.

Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to make your own dried apricots.

To make your own dried apricot dog treats at home, take some ripe apricots, slice them in half, and remove the pits. Slice them into smaller pieces, but not too small because these will shrink significantly as they dry up.

You just need to make sure that the dried-up fruits will be appropriately sized for your dog.

Once sliced, arrange the pieces on your dehydrating trays. Set your dehydrator to high and remove them when the pieces are dry but still pliable. Store the pieces in an airtight glass jar.

Note: If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can make these in your oven by setting your temperature to 135°F. It might take approximately 12 hours for the fruits to dry up completely.

Better Fruit Alternatives for Dogs

If you’re not too keen on drying your own apricots, you can also make your own passion fruit roll-ups for dogs or blueberry dog gummies. Or, you could skip the preparations altogether and treat your dog to fresh pet-safe fruits.

Strawberries are safe for dogs and are rich in antioxidants and enzymes that offer plenty of health benefits. Also, many dogs love bananas, which contain many vitamins and minerals like magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. 

Watermelons are also excellent for dogs especially during the summer because they are hydrating and refreshing.

Final Thoughts

Depending on how it is prepared, dried apricots are safe for dogs to eat as long as they are given infrequently and in small portions. Nevertheless, there are many better alternatives to giving dried apricots as dog treats. You just need to figure out what your own pup likes and what foods you shouldn’t give any dog.