Oranges can be a nutritious treat for dogs. Hence, Can Dogs Eat Oranges? is the most frequently asked question by dog owners. Here’s what you need to know if you want to share an orange with your dog while you’re going to eat one.
Yes, dogs can have oranges. Like other fruits including apples, watermelon, etc, oranges are edible for dogs. But giving them large quantities could be harmful, including blood oranges, Bergamot oranges, clementines, and more. So, seedless navel oranges are preferred.
Oranges are tasteful and one of the most preferred fruits among humans. They give energy and are one of the best fiber sources of Potassium and vitamin C. But the question is if it is the same for dogs, are oranges also good for your dog?
Dogs usually don’t like citrus foods, they prefer sweet treats, but this doesn’t change the fact that oranges are healthy for your dog and are a good source of vitamins and minerals.
But what about the taste? Well, if you as a dog owner want to feed your dog some oranges, all you have to do is extract the fresh and juicy pulp of the orange, and there you have a tasty and pulpy treat for your furry friend.
Can Dogs Eat Oranges?
Some fruits are healthy for dogs, however, the question is can dogs eat oranges? Well, oranges are not poisonous to dogs, so your dog may enjoy this delicious and juicy fruit. The natural sugars and citric acid in oranges aren’t harmful unless you feed them to your dog in excess.
Oranges are high in fiber and vitamin C, as well as they also taste good to most dogs. Even though dogs do not require vitamin C supplements, fresh vitamin C sources, such as dog-safe vegetables and fruits, might improve a dog’s immune system.
However, can dogs eat orange peels? No. Dogs can’t consume orange peels since they are difficult to digest as well as cause intestinal obstruction, therefore avoid giving orange peel to your dog as the hazards outweigh the possible advantages of oranges.
Depending on the size of your dog, you may give them 1 or 2 slices for smaller dog breeds and a full entire small-sized orange for big dogs. Oranges, despite their high vitamin content and wonderful flavor, should be reserved for special occasions only.
Nutritional Value Of Oranges For Dogs
Who doesn’t occasionally give their tail-wagger a snack even though they should be eating nutritionally balanced dog food? Or succumb to the “stare” pressure while munching on a snack?
A less expensive and healthier option than the prepackaged treats found in most pet stores is to offer fruits and vegetables from your refrigerator. Oranges, particularly, match the category of healthful treats with little risk.
Vitamin C: A potent antioxidant, vitamin C actively seeks and destroys free radicals that might harm cells. Lowering inflammation, battling some malignancies, and slowing cognitive aging strengthens the dog’s immune system.
Potassium: Your dog’s kidneys need this crucial mineral to function correctly. Additionally, it promotes a healthy digestive system, strong muscles, and effective cardiac function.
Manganese: Supports strong bones and joint cartilage thanks to manganese. Metabolizing the protein and carbohydrates that sustain your dog’s energy levels also aids in creating fatty acids. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and eggs all contain manganese, which is not in meats.
Dietary Fiber: Fruits include soluble fiber, which is good for your dog’s colon because it promotes the development of healthy cells and intestinal flora. The fiber traps water, promoting regularity and consistency in stools.
Moderate Natural Sugar: In addition to the essential vitamins and minerals mentioned above, it is crucial to remember that oranges have a moderate amount of sugar and can increase a dog’s blood sugar.
If your dog has diabetes, this would be a concern. The natural sugar content may also influence obesity.
Health Benefits Of Oranges For Dogs
While oranges are healthy for dogs of all sizes, breeds, and also ages, you should void offering them to overweight and/or diabetic dogs. Although the natural sugar included in this citrus fruit is not fundamentally harmful, it can produce a surge in blood sugar levels in a diabetic dog and contribute to excess calories if you give given oranges to your dog in big quantities.
Oranges’ natural sugar and acidic nature can also induce stomach irritation, so, if your dog has a sensitive gastrointestinal system then you should entirely avoid giving oranges to your dog. If you are unsure whether your dog belongs in this category, feed them a little orange slice the first time as well as observe their reaction.
Furthermore, if oranges are not properly offered, some puppies may have difficulty swallowing them. If the oranges still have seeds or peels on them, make sure to remove them to avoid choking hazards.
Potential Hazards Associated With Oranges For Dogs
In case your dog is completely healthy, then oranges should not be dangerous to your dog when you offer oranges in small amounts only. Nevertheless, there are specific conditions that can be worsened by consuming oranges. Here are a few of the potential health hazards to consider before you feed your dog oranges:
- Digestive Issues: In case your dog frequently suffers from stomach issues, the acidity present in oranges (or some other citrus fruits for that matter) may upset their entire digestive system.
- Diabetes: In case your pooch is diabetic, then you must avoid offering them oranges because of the high sugar content of the fruit.
- Gastrointestinal Upset: Although oranges aren’t toxic for canines, there are some things you must remember when giving them to your pup as a snack. Foremost, oranges certainly do have a medium sugar content as well as can potentially lead to a gastrointestinal upset in case your dog consumes too much. In case you wish to try feeding your dog an orange, then it’s perhaps a good idea to begin slowly to observe how your dog’s stomach reacts. Ensure you remove orange peels properly and also make sure to remove all the seeds from an orange.
- Excess weight: In case your canine is overweight as well as on a weight-loss diet plan, you should consider feeding him a low-calorie fruit alternative, such as apples. Otherwise, your dog will end up getting excess weight.
Even if one of the aforementioned circumstances applies to your pet, it doesn’t imply they should never offer an orange to your pet. To ensure it is 100% safe and healthy for your dog, you should speak to your veterinarian.
Possible Side Effects Of Oranges For Dogs
- Because citrus fruits like oranges are acidic, some dogs may experience vomiting or diarrhea as a result. Start modestly with one small slice, and then wait to observe if there is an adverse reaction or not. You can then add more pieces if you don’t notice any adverse side effects, but don’t go beyond the suggested daily serving quantity.
- Particularly for tiny dogs, seeds might pose a choking hazard. If seedless oranges aren’t available, you can still give your dog other kinds of oranges as long as you remove the seeds beforehand.
- Orange rinds are tough for a dog’s digestive system and might cause gastrointestinal irritation, thus, it is not advised to give orange rinds to dogs. Dogs can eat the fleshy parts of other citrus fruits like limes, lemons, and even grapefruits, but most dogs dislike them since they are so acidic and sour. All citrus fruit peels and seeds may result in digestive problems.
Allergic Reaction To Oranges In Dogs
Although vitamin C and Fiber are both beneficial, what about potential allergic reactions? Unfortunately, some dogs have an allergy to citric acid. It is probably an allergic response if you see your dog itching the body, losing fur, or having an ear infection.
Additionally, limonene, a substance largely present in orange peels, can cause allergies in dogs. Because of this, you should be cautious when introducing oranges to your dog’s diet.
Dog With Diabetes And Oranges
Oranges have high sugar content, thus, overweight dogs shouldn’t consume them. Fresh fruits don’t usually contribute to canine obesity, however, giving an orange to a diabetic dog may affect its blood sugar. Choose low-starch and low-sugar produce instead, such as tomatoes and blueberries.
Although orange juice might seem like the healthiest choice, orange juice has a high sugar content and could include dangerous ingredients for dogs depending on its preparation. A nutritional imbalance may result from the fortification of several commercial items with additional nutrients. So, stay with the flesh fruits only. So, if your puppies eat oranges, make sure it is fresh and not packaged. Thus, eating oranges is not bad, but if a dog eats an orange product that contains too much sugar then it may harm your pooch.
How To Feed Oranges To Your Dog?
- No matter what healthy snack you give to your dog (even oranges), you should never give more than 10 percent of your daily calorie intake to your dog, so ensure to adjust portions of meals accordingly and then give a particular treat to your dog.
- Larger dogs can consume 2-4 portions of a medium-sized orange, while smaller dogs can safely take 1-2 sections if they don’t have any underlying medical or health disorders or sensitive gastrointestinal (GI) systems.
- Hand-feed the properly peeled oranges to your dogs as a tasty treat and make sure to remove all the seeds from the orange before offering them to your dog.
- Do not forget to wash the orange properly before peeling it and offering it to your dog.
How Many Oranges Should A Dog Eat?
As a dog owner, you must be loving towards your furry friend and must be having a hard time resisting giving your dog the treats he desires again and again.
It is a very joyful and satisfactory moment when you see your dog wagging its tail and showing a happy reaction to getting his favorite treats.
But as much as you want to see your dog happy, excessive amounts of any food can be harmful. Despite your dog’s love for oranges, the number of oranges and other snacks in its diet should not exceed 10 % of its daily calories.
Orange-Based Recipes For Dog Treats
Here is a tasty dog treat that you can make using orange slices.
Cranberry And Orange Dog Treats
The sweetness of oranges and the sharpness of dried cranberries are combined in this dessert to make the best dog treats at home.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of gluten-free flour
- ½ cup of dried cranberries
- ½ cup of peeled oranges
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup of honey
- 1 cup of gluten-free oats
- 1 tbsp Goat Milk
- 1 orange
- ½ cup of water
- ½ tsp of vanilla extract
How To Make?
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place cookie sheets and parchment paper.
- Make orange puree
- Combine oats, flour, and also Goat’s Milk powder
- Dice dried cranberries and add them to the dry mixture
- Now add orange puree, egg, honey, and vanilla extract well in a bowl
- Knead the dough into balls.
- Split the dough into smaller balls.
- Now roll the balls
- Cut using a cookie cutter and place the small pieces on a cookie sheet.
- Place in your oven and then bake for 20-23 min.
- Remove from the oven and then let cool for around 1-2 hours.
SUMMARY:
So, now that you know that the answer to the question of whether can dogs eat oranges is affirmative, as a pet owner, you should make sure that the seeds are discarded from the pulp, and only after that, the fruit is fed to your fur friend. Also, ensure not to feed your dog a lot of oranges to maintain good health.
