Toxicity to pets

The seeds, leaves, and stems of the apricot tree harbor a cyanide-containing molecule. While ingestion of a few leaves or the pit of an apricot poses a low risk for cyanide toxicosis, the ingestion of hulled apricot kernels – also called bitter raw apricot seeds – poses a high risk for cyanide poisoning in pet animals. Clinical signs of cyanide poisoning are sudden severe gastrointestinal disturbance, respiratory distress, and neurological dysfunction including collapse, seizure, and death.