A small bite of ripe apricot flesh is not toxic, but the pit, stem, and leaves contain cyanogenic compounds, and the pit can choke or block a cat. If you share apricot, give only a little pitted flesh, and skip sugary dried apricots.
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Caution — flesh only, avoid the pitAmount, form, or frequency matters
Can cats eat apricots? 🍑
A small bite of ripe apricot flesh is not toxic, but the pit, stem, and leaves contain cyanogenic compounds, and the pit can choke or block a cat. If you share apricot, give only a little pitted flesh, and skip sugary dried apricots.
Source-linked record · Last reviewed July 17, 2026 · Not veterinary advice
Why this answer
Apricot flesh is non-toxic, yet the pit (kernel), stem, and leaves contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide, and the hard pit is a choking and obstruction hazard for a small cat. Dried apricots pack even more sugar, so a carnivore gains nothing and takes on risk when apricot is offered carelessly.
Watch for
Vomiting, drooling, or belly pain after eating pit or kernel
Choking or straining from a swallowed pit
Weakness or fast breathing in a rare cyanide exposure
How much is okay
One small piece of ripe, pitted flesh, about 1 cm, only occasionally — never the pit, kernel, stem, or dried fruit.
Serve it safely
Wash and pit the apricot, offering only a small piece of ripe flesh.
Keep pits and kernels away; cracked kernels are the most dangerous part.
Avoid dried apricots and any apricot jam or dessert.
Sources and evidence notes (3)
Poison List
Pet Poison Helpline — Veterinarian-maintained toxin database for dogs and cats, reachable at (855) 764-7661, with per-substance toxicity levels, signs, and species notes.
People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — Multi-species veterinary toxicology list covering alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, citrus, coconut, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, milk and dairy, nuts, onions, garlic and chives, raw meat and eggs, salty snacks, xylitol, and yeast dough.
Poisons
Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine — Feline-specific poisoning overview covering common household toxin exposures in cats, clinical signs, and the need for prompt veterinary care.
Answer card
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Remove access. Take the food away and move your cat to another room.
Note the facts. What was it, roughly how much is missing, and when? Keep the packaging.
Call before symptoms. For chocolate, onion, garlic, grapes, raisins, alcohol, or anything sugar-free (xylitol), call a hotline or your veterinarian now — early treatment is easier and cheaper.
Never do this
Do not induce vomiting, feed milk, salt, or oil, or wait overnight to "see how it goes". Signs of chocolate or Allium poisoning can take hours to days to appear.
Go to an emergency vet immediately if
Your cat is collapsing, twitching or seizing, struggling to breathe, drooling heavily, vomiting repeatedly, or wobbly on their feet.
Outside the US? Call your local emergency veterinary clinic — keep the number saved in your phone.
Effective: July 17, 2026
Can Cats Eat It? provides general educational information for cat owners. It is not veterinary, diagnostic, treatment, or emergency advice.
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