Are Oranges Good for Dogs?

All dogs aren’t always meat lovers; some also go crazy over fruits too. For most humans, orange is a sweet and nutritious snack. But as a pet parent, it always a tedious task to peel an orange while the dog sits drooling patiently in front of us, hoping for a tasty treat. Before we toss a piece of this citrus fruit towards them, make sure one asks themselves if one can feed their dog an orange?

Can oranges be fed to dogs?

Oranges aren’t particularly toxic to the canines, but the dog’s digestive system isn’t designed to process large amounts of oranges due to its high acidity and sugar content. Hence only limited amounts of the citrus fruit can be fed to the pals.

How is orange beneficial for dogs?

Oranges are a powerhouse of nutrients, potassium, and some traces of fiber. The low sodium content makes it a healthy snack if given in limited amounts (one or two slices per day). The vitamin C composition in it is seen to benefit the dog’s immune system.

When are oranges bad for dogs?

Excessive feeding of oranges is seen to cause the following health hazards in the four-legged canines.

•    Stomach upset

The natural sugar present in this citrus fruit is seen to cause digestive or stool issues.

•    Diabetes complications

Pooches with diabetes are needed to refrain from this high-sugar fruit as it will cause a spike in their blood sugar levels.

•    Choking hazard

Small dogs may have issues swallowing oranges if the orange slices have seeds or peels attached to them. Hence one needs to remove these to prevent potential choking issues.

•    Blockage

If the pet pal accidentally eats an orange peel, the peel can also create a blockage in their gastrointestinal tract which could require immediate emergency surgery.

Should one feed its dog an orange daily?

Healthy dogs can produce their own vitamin C, so this snack isn’t an important commodity in its daily diet. However, in small doses, this citrus fruit is seen to enhance its immune system with an extra dose of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. However, there is no limit to how much vitamin C a pet can have because it the vitamin C is water soluble and excess levels are seen to be urinated out and as it doesn’t accumulate in the canine’s body.

How much of orange can a dog consume?

Smaller dogs can have between 1/4 to 1/3 of a whole moderate-sized orange and larger dogs can eat an entire one.

How to serve oranges to the pet pals?

Most of the dog’s refrain eating citrus fruits due to their sour taste. But some dogs binge on any food that is offered to it. Hence a pet parent can offer the fleshy part of the citrus fruits in the form of slices without any seeds, peel or pith that is the white lining beneath the fruit sections.

Can orange juice be offered to the pets?

Experts do not recommend offering orange juices to the dogs because the juice is the concentrated source of the sugars and citric acid from the fruit. As the dogs don’t require the vitamins in oranges, the juice of the citrus fruit is not beneficial to the canine. Water is the best natural drink to keep the pet pals hydrated and healthy.

What types of oranges can a dog binge on?

Different varieties of orange–navel, blood, etc. are available in the market. To start with one can, try the seedless navel oranges. When this seedless citrus fruit is out of season, the available seasonal oranges can be fed to the dog without the rind, pith or the seeds.

Final thoughts

Even if your dog loves oranges and shows no signs of adverse reactions, it is predominantly recommended to limit its intake of oranges and of all treats to not more than 10 percent of its daily calories. Occasionally share this juicy citrus fruit with the pet pals as a treat alternative and get some grateful kisses in return!

Sources

  1. https://dogtime.com/dog-health/74835-can-dogs-eat-oranges-safe
  2. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-oranges/
  3. https://www.rover.com/blog/can-dog-eat-oranges/
  4. https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-oranges

Image link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BvZn9gVnDdU/

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