When it comes to dog food, we all think of meat. This is probably because some fruits and vegetable are toxic to dogs. Oranges are not toxic to dogs. Many people assume that the citric acid present in oranges may be toxic to dogs. The citric acid may be harmful to cats, but it’s a non-issue to dogs.
Oranges are entirely non-toxic to dogs if only the intake is in small quantities. You may notice that some dog foods contain oranges and other fruits as one of their active ingredients. In the manufactured dog foods, the portions are minimal. You, therefore, have to be very careful with the quantities when giving oranges to your dogs.
The nutrients in the orange fruit will boost the nutritional value of your dog’s diet. And it’s not all about the nutrients. The sweetness of oranges may soon make the oranges your dog’s favorite snack. You may notice that your dog becomes livelier whenever you give it a slice of an orange. It loves the sweetness.
If you decide to give oranges to your dogs, one or two segments will be enough per day. Giving too many segments can result to various health issues to your dogs. You don’t want to have your Oreo ailing because of excessive consumption of oranges.
The Benefits of Oranges for Dogs
Oranges are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential to the dog’s body and health, just like it is to the human body. Giving your dog a bite of oranges a day can supplement Vitamin C in its body. Dogs manufacture their own Vitamin C.
Besides Vitamin C, oranges are rich in potassium, iron, and fibers. This makes oranges a suitable health supplement for your dogs, especially if the dog food contains these nutrients in small quantities.
Sometimes vigorous exercises or even stress can inhibit the capability of the dog’s liver to synthesize Vitamin C. This may have an effect on the general body functioning of the body. In such cases, a supplement of Vitamin C from the few slices of oranges would be a good idea. The incapacitation of the liver rarely occurs though.
The nutrients in oranges are good for the immune system of the dog. Furthermore, if the dog takes in some toxic substances, oranges can come in handy. Oranges can help neutralize the toxicity of onion powder, oxidative toxins and propylene glycol.
The Dangers of Giving Oranges to Dogs
Many dog parents are worried that oranges may be harmful to their dogs. Well, the oranges come with some benefits to your dogs. They, however, come with a few shortcomings. These shortcomings are common when some cautionary measures are ignored. Some of the hazards of giving your dog oranges include;
Oranges contain a lot of sugar. Owners of pets should be aware that the excess sugar and calories in oranges may be unsuitable for the dog’s daily diet. If you are worried about this, it is advisable to give one or two slices of oranges to your dog on alternating days.
The sugar levels in oranges can be hazardous to diabetic dogs. The oranges can affect the blood values of diabetic dogs due to their high level of Vitamin C. If you own a diabetic dog, it would be best to avoid including oranges in their diets.
The rinds of oranges have a lot Vitamin C compared to the inner slices. There are additional minerals and vitamins present in rinds. The nutrients are more concentrated in the rinds than in the slices. However, it is not ideal for you to give orange rind to the dogs. The dog’s digestive system experience difficulty digesting the rinds. You don’t want your dog to experience diarrhea and vomiting. Just stick to the fleshy part.
Oranges are not toxic to dogs, but there are some rules you got to follow when giving them to your dogs.
What Are Some of the Rules to Follow When Feeding Oranges to Your Dogs?
First, start by giving your dog one or two slices of orange. Start by testing and see how your dog’s stomach reacts to the oranges. If the dogs react badly to the oranges, it is a sign that you have to stop. If it reacts well to the oranges, you can continue giving a few slices to them. Smaller dogs should be given fewer slices than bigger dogs. Do not exceed an entire orange per dog.
Before giving oranges to your dog, ensure you remove all seeds. Remove all rinds because they may cause digestion problems to your dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
A lot of questions come up when people think of feeding their dogs with oranges. Let’s take a look at the common questions that people ask.
What Factors Determine Whether My Dog Should Have Oranges or Not?
Before feeding oranges to your dog, check its weight. Oranges contain a lot of sugar that can result to obesity. If you have a diabetic dog, do not give it oranges. The levels of sugar in oranges can interfere with the insulin levels in the digestive tract of the dog. Other than the medical history of the dog, consider the digestive health of the dog. If the dog experiences any digestive problem, giving it, oranges may worsen the case.
Can I Feed My Dogs with Orange Peels?
No. Before feeding oranges to your dog, ensure that the oranges are free from the peeling. Remove the orange rind and the white film completely. The peels may contain toxic compounds in concentrated levels. These compounds may be harmful to your dog.
Can Oranges Be Harmful for My Dogs?
When taken in small quantities, oranges are not harmful to dogs. The high sugar levels in oranges can be harmful if taken in large quantities. Too much sugar intake means overweight and obese dogs. Just be careful with the quantities because you want your dog to remain healthy.
How Much of Orange Can Dogs Eat?
Feed oranges to your dogs as treats. Treats compliment approximately 10% of your calories in your dog’s diet. One to three pieces per day should be enough for most dogs. Excessive feeding can be harmful. You don’t want your dog suffering from obesity and other digestive disorders.
How Do I Give Oranges to My Dog?
First, you need to slowly introduce the oranges to your dog. The dog may enjoy or detest the flavor of the orange. Do not force things. Take it slow. Just a few pieces a day. Watch out for any side effects. If you notice that the dog is not taking the oranges well, stop.
How Vital Is Orange Vitamin C to the Dog?
For humans, we eat oranges, and other citrus fruits for their vitamin C. Dogs manufacture their vitamin C. They don’t need the supplement. Feeding them with a few pieces of oranges only works as a supplement.
What Type of Oranges Can Dogs Eat?
The different types of oranges include navel and blood. The seedless variety of oranges is also common in the market. The seedless variety could be the best for your dog. Dogs can eat basically any oranges. You just have to ensure the pieces you give to the dogs are free from seeds and peels.
Can the Dogs Drink Orange Juice?
No. Do not give orange juice to your dogs. You might be wondering why orange juice is unsuitable for the dogs when pieces of oranges are harmless. Well, orange juice is more concentrated in citric acid and sugars than the fruit. Do not give orange juice to your dogs, even if it is natural. You are wondering what could be the best drink for your dog. Give him water for any day any time. Water is the best drink for hydrating your dog.
Can I Give Other Citrus Fruits to My Dog?
Well, there are citrus fruits that dogs can eat, and there are others that are harmful to the dogs.
Harmless citrus fruits to the dogs include tangerine. Just like the orange, only give the dogs seedless parts of the fleshy part of the tangerine. Just a few slices of the tangerine are enough.
You may want to avoid lemons. Lemons are incredibly acidic and may affect the digestion tract of your dog. Before giving your dogs in fruit, be sure to conduct thorough research. You may also keep in touch with your vet. Do not risk giving your dog something that would be harmful to its health and wellbeing.
Wrap-Up
We all love our dogs and want them to stay healthy. We ought to be careful with what we give to dogs. Conduct research, or consult with your vet whenever you are in doubt.
Generally, dogs on a balanced diet will not need vitamin and mineral supplement from fruits. However, there is ultimately no harm in sharing a few slices with your dog. You may realize that your dog may not resist the juicy oranges when you have them. Just be careful when giving your dog’s oranges. Spread the joy by sharing the sweetness of oranges with your dog.
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