Can Dogs Eat Oranges?

If a dog owner loves the tangy and sweet flavor of oranges and wonders if their beloved pet can enjoy this flavor, the answer is yes! Veterinarians are of opinion that doggies can eat oranges if given in very small quantities.

Published: March 2, 2022.

Oranges are Good for Dogs When Given in Small Quantities

Oranges are loaded with nutrients and some fiber, and their sodium content is low.

All these factors make them a healthy treat to pooches when served in limited quantities, such as 1 to 2 flecks a day, provided the dog doesn’t have any underlying medical condition such as diabetes, obesity, or a sensitive GI tract.

Are Oranges Good for Dogs of All Breeds and Sizes?

The breed and size of the dog may also affect how their body digests oranges. Large breed dogs can tolerate larger amounts of oranges than small breed dogs can.

Thus, a large breed dog like a German Shepherd or Husky can eat 2 to 3 segments of oranges without any problem, but a smaller breed like Pomeranian or a Yorkie may have a stomach upset if they eat that many segments of an orange.

Also, the same quantity of orange would be a much higher dose of the daily calorie and sugar intake of a smaller dog, compared to a larger dog.

Are There Any Hazards?

Oranges are not toxic to dogs. However, dog owners should keep certain things about them in mind while feeding them to their dogs.

Firstly, oranges contain a fair amount of sugar which contains calories. Therefore, overweight doggies should not be given oranges as they don’t actually need extra calories. The same is true for diabetic dogs who should strictly avoid oranges.

Also, if eaten too much, oranges can cause a stomach upset in doggies. If a dog owner wants to try giving oranges to their dog, they should start slowly to check how the dog’s stomach reacts to them. Also, while serving the fruit to the dog, they should make sure they peel it and remove all seeds.

If the pooch shows any unusual behavior, the owner should immediately stop giving oranges to them.

Is Vitamin C in Oranges Good for Dogs?

Humans eat oranges because vitamin C in them benefits their immune system and helps them stay healthy.

However, dogs don’t need this vitamin from an outside dietary source, as their body forms it naturally.

How Much Orange a Dog Should Eat?

No matter, how the dog loves oranges, the owner should limit their intake and follow the rule of 10% i.e., only 10% of their daily calories should come from treats.

Limiting their intake of treats can help prevent stomach upset and weight gain. For most dogs, this means 1 to 3 sections.

Can Dogs Eat Orange Peels?

Orange peel can get stuck in a dog’s digestive tract and cause obstruction, needing surgery to rectify.

Also, the white film on the flesh of an orange or any other plant part like traces of skin, seeds, and pits should be removed as they may contain toxic compounds.

Besides, the oils in the peel can cause serious stomach upsets, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and even dehydration. Therefore, it’s better to avoid giving orange peels to dogs.

Introducing Oranges to a Dog

Not all dogs love the tangy taste of oranges. In fact, most dogs dislike citruses as they tend to be bitter.

If a dog owner is introducing oranges to their dog for the first time, they should therefore start slow i.e., serving only one section.

Citrus fruits like oranges also contain a lot of acids which can cause diarrhea or vomiting.

The dog owner should wait for the dog’s reaction upon eating a single section. If any adverse effect is not seen, they can continue. However, they should not overfeed.

What Type of Oranges can Dogs Eat?

Oranges come in various types like blood, navel, etc. A dog owner may wonder which of these varieties they should feed to their dog.

They should try one variety such as navel first. This is a seedless variety.

Otherwise, when navel oranges aren’t available, and when one feeds some other variety of oranges to their doggo, they should make sure they remove the seeds, peel, and pith from the fruit.

Is Orange Juice Good for Dogs?

Although orange juice is good for humans, it’s a strict no-no for dogs because although one extracts it fresh and natural, it’s a concentrated source of the sugars and citric acid in the fruit.

As vitamins in oranges are not needed by dogs’ bodies, orange juice is of no use to them. The best drink for anyone’s dog to keep them healthy and hydrated is water.

How to Give Oranges to Dogs?

Since oranges are very juicy, stuffing them into a toy is not a very good idea. Dog owners can serve the fleshy part of the fruit to their dog as it is or mix it into the dog’s food or top the food with the fruit’s fleshy part.

Are Other Citrus Fruits Safe for Dogs?

This varies from fruit to fruit. Tangerines are a citrus fruit that dogs can eat, but should be fed sparingly and only its fleshy part. Just like oranges, tangerines too are high in sugar and calories.

Dogs can also eat the fleshy parts of other citruses like clementine, grapefruit, limes, Satsuma oranges, and mandarins.

Even lemons can be given to dogs, but dogs mostly don’t like them as they’re too acidic. To maintain one’s dog’s health, the dog owner should always research any fruit or food, consult their vet and then give it to their dog if it’s good for them.

Can Oranges be Given to Puppies?

Yes, puppies can be served oranges. However, one should do it carefully as puppies may tend to suffer from stomach upset more than adult dogs after eating oranges.

Therefore, it’s recommended to give a very small amount of this fruit to puppies.

Also, just like with adult dogs, peel, seeds, and pits should be removed.

Although dogs don’t need oranges for their health, they can be served the tangy fruit as a treat or reward to please and praise the dog. That way the pooches will feel proud and enjoy the fruit.