Can Cats Eat Apricots? NZ Safety Answer

Quick answer

Avoid apricots for cats, especially the stone, stem and leaves. Cats do not need apricot as a treat, and stone-fruit scraps can create avoidable risk.

Why

Pet Poison Helpline's toxic food guide groups apricots with stone fruits because stems, pits and leaves can contain cyanide compounds. ASPCA's people-food guidance also warns about fruit pits and seeds for pets. A NZ cat is more likely to encounter apricot in jam, cake, dried fruit mix, lunchbox leftovers or compost than as a useful food.

If your cat ate it

Contact your NZ vet, after-hours emergency clinic, or SPCA for advice.

Safer alternatives

Cats do not need fruit. Safer options are a cat-specific treat, a few pieces of the cat's normal complete food, or vet-approved enrichment food. Avoid fruit stones, pits, stems, leaves, sweetened fruit and desserts.

Related reading

• Cat Food Guide NZ
• Cat Care NZ Complete Guide
• Pet Emergency Kit NZ Civil Defence Guide

References

• Pet Poison Helpline, Toxic Food Guide for Pets, checked 2026-06-13: https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/4671_Toxic-Food-Guide-for-Pets-Infographic_FINAL_REVISION.pdf
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control, People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets, checked 2026-06-13: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets

Important notice

*General food-safety information for NZ pet owners, reviewed against ASPCA/VCA guidance (June 2026). For any suspected ingestion or illness, contact a NZ vet, after-hours emergency clinic, or SPCA for advice.*