Dogs love scooping up food of both the savory and sweet variety. While we have already discussed the health benefits of apples and bananas for dogs, the next fruit under speculation is the equally popular orange. Are oranges good for dogs? Today we will find out.
Can Dogs Eat Oranges?
The orange is one of the most popular fruits for humans. Can dogs enjoy the citrusy treat as well? It turns out dogs can eat oranges. This juicy fruit is safe for dogs to enjoy as a healthy snack.
Pet MD explains that the high natural sugar level of fruits, such as oranges, is balanced out by the fiber of the fruit. This makes oranges a certified safe sweet treat for your dog.
The Wonderful World of Vitamin C
Many humans have likely turned to a good old glass of orange juice when they’ve been sick. The high level of vitamin C in oranges helps strengthen human immune systems.
The good news is, this benefit is no different for dogs. Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is especially beneficial to dogs that are overstressed or exercise excessively.
Vitamin C from oranges is beneficial to dog immune systems. It can also be helpful to dogs that have eaten a toxic substance. Overall, vitamin C is an essential element for a balanced and healthy canine.
Are Oranges Good for Dogs?
How else are oranges good for dogs? What makes this fruit different from a vitamin C supplement? The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes oranges as a good snack option for dogs. In addition to being high in vitamin C, oranges also have potassium and fiber.
The tart taste of oranges might not be appealing to all dogs, but this should not concern you. Citric acid is not harmful to dogs. This means that tangerines and clementines are also safe for dogs to eat.
When to Avoid Oranges
While oranges are good for dogs, they are not the right snack for all canines.
The high natural sugar content of oranges, as well as the added calories, makes them a treat that should always be served in moderation. If your dog is struggling with weight issues, oranges might not be the best snack option.
The USDA estimates that the average orange has about 62 calories and 12 grams of sugar. Serving an appropriate amount of the fruit to your dog as a snack shouldn’t be an issue if your dog is at a healthy weight.
However, some dogs may be more sensitive to oranges than others. Due to the high levels of vitamin C in oranges, the fruit can affect the blood values of dogs that are diabetic. Therefore, if your dog has any issues with blood sugar, oranges are probably not the right snack. When in doubt, always be sure to call your vet.
Another issue to be aware of is dog digestion. Not all dogs digest foods the same way. To check if oranges are okay for your pup, start out with small servings of the fruit. If your dog does not appear to have any stomach issues, you can continue to serve oranges as an occasional snack.
How to Feed Dogs Oranges
It’s always dangerous to feed a dog an entire piece of fruit. In addition to the calories and sugar, your dog should only be enjoying the flesh of the fruit. Therefore, always cut up fruit into healthy doggie portions.
Most dogs can enjoy between 1/4 to a 1/3 of a whole peeled orange. Very large dogs can eat a maximum of one orange per day. While raw oranges are a safe bet, don’t feed your pup any artificially flavored orange snacks that aren’t intended for dogs. However, there is dog food on the market that has fresh fruit as an ingredient.
You don’t have to worry about your dog consuming too much vitamin C. Once the body absorbs the levels it needs, the rest will be flushed out in urine. The element that you need to be aware of is sugar.
Additionally, though the orange rind is high in vitamin C, it should not be fed to dogs. Ingesting the outer rind could cause stomach and digestive issues.
Lastly, because oranges are high in sugar, overfeeding them to your dog will likely cause GI issues.
Orange You Glad You Asked?
Are oranges good for dogs? Oranges are high in vitamin C and provide a fat-free, sodium-free snack option that is healthy in moderation. However, oranges might not be the best treat for all dogs. Dogs struggling with blood sugar or weight issues should probably find another fruit to snack on. The good news is, there are many other dog approved fruits.
