Apricot

Apricot flesh is sugary and can loosen a cat's stool; **the pit and bitter kernels hold amygdalin**, which releases cyanide when chewed, and the pit can also obstruct the gut, so remove it every time. Cats need no fruit.

Vomiting, loose stools or diarrhoea, poor appetite, lethargy and hiding; a swallowed pit causes retching and trouble swallowing, and cyanide poisoning can add rapid breathing, abnormal gum colour, weakness and seizures.

Stop feeding and watch; **contact a vet immediately** if a pit, leaf or kernel was eaten or if breathing, gum colour or weakness changes, and never induce vomiting at home.

Cats need no fruit, so at most a nail-sized piece of peeled, pitted flesh; **never offer pits, leaves or bitter kernels**, skip dried and candied apricots, and keep treats within about 10% of daily energy intake.

A little apricot flesh is low risk (though sugary), but **the pit and bitter kernels hold amygdalin**, which releases cyanide once chewed, and a hard pit can also choke or block the gut, so remove it every time.

Vomiting, loose stools or diarrhoea from too much flesh; after a pit is swallowed, retching, drooling and trouble swallowing, while cyanide poisoning can add rapid breathing, abnormal gum colour, weakness and seizures.

A small piece of flesh means stopping the treat and watching; **contact a vet immediately** if a pit was swallowed or if breathing, gum colour, weakness or twitching changes, and never induce vomiting at home.

Offer only a small piece of peeled, pitted flesh cut up; **dried and candied apricots concentrate the sugar and are not advised**, and keep treats within about 10% of daily energy intake with complete dog food as the main diet.