Starting your morning with a glass of fresh orange juice is a great idea. Some of us do it every day.
You get the energy that will last through the day, vitamins, and you wake up without any caffeine. The day can start.
Oranges contain natural sugars that are fuel for your body, muscles, and mind. And then there is vitamin C, a boost for your immune system.
With so health benefits of oranges, some pet owners want to share it with their dog. The question is can dogs eat oranges?
The refreshing feeling of oranges is undeniable, so why not share it with your dog?
The short answer is yes, dogs can have oranges. And you will notice your puppy will start to drool when you give them a fresh orange slice.
Dogs go nuts for the smell of orange.
One of the common misconception with oranges is that they can be harmful or toxic to dogs. It is easy to assume that.
After all, oranges, tangerines, and similar citrus fruit contain citric acid. Citrus fruits are also high in sugar, and that can cause digestive issues for your dog.
But that happens only if your dog has too many slices of orange.
With that in mind, oranges are safe and beneficial, but only if given correctly and in moderation. Like many good things, there is a limit to how much you can feed your dog.
Health benefits of oranges for dogs
Now that we know the answer to can dogs eat oranges, let’s talk about why you should feed the fruit to your puppy. Oranges are extremely rich in nutrients.
Just look at their nutritional profile. The fruit contains potassium, folate, thiamine, and vitamin C.
Those are all delights for your puppy’s health. And at the same time, oranges are low in sodium, making them a healthy treat for your puppy.
Vitamins and minerals in oranges help improve the immune system of your dog. They also help your dog to get rid of toxins, and clear the stomach.
Oranges help clear your puppy’s teeth as well.
The fruit is recommended for dogs with a vitamin C deficiency. Extreme exercise and extreme stress can sometimes overwhelm your dog’s liver capacity to make vitamin C.
In that case, you can provide your dog with some additional source of vitamin C. And oranges have plenty of the immune-boosting vitamin.
How to serve oranges to your dog
With every fruit or vegetable you try to give to your dog, it is important to serve it in a safe and secure manner. When it comes to oranges, that means removing orange peels and seeds.
They are not toxic, but they are difficult to digest. Your pet cannot digest the fiber found in peels easily. Do not allow the dog to lick the peel from the outside as well.
The best part of the orange is the white layer of the orange. This is where the goodness lies. The white part is where oranges contain antioxidants and vitamin C.
So, to feed oranges to your puppy, peel the fruit, remove the seeds, and give him just the fleshy part of the fruit.
How many oranges can your dog eat?
Too much of a good thing can become a bad thing. That is something that applies to oranges for dogs as well.
There is a limit to how much oranges your dog should eat. Remember, oranges are high in sugar content, which can be harmful in high doses to puppies.
Therefore, one or two slices of orange per day are more than enough. More than that, and you risk obesity in your dog.
Remember the 90/10 treat rule as well. Only 10% of your dog’s diet should come from treats, and orange slices fall into that category.
When you introduce your puppy to oranges, give him just one slice of orange per day.
Your dog needs time to adapt to any new food to his diet. And one slice is enough for your furry friend to accept the new and exciting ingredient safely without any issues.
With that in mind, if you notice your dog has diarrhea or experiences vomiting, or any other unusual behavior, stop giving him oranges.
Precautions and possible side effects
There are situations when you should not give oranges to your dog. Yes, the fruit is considered generally safe for dogs.
However, if your dog has diabetes, the last thing you want to give him is something with high sugar content. Oranges can affect the sugar levels in the blood, and a dog with diabetes does not need that.
Puppies that are overweight, should also stay away from oranges. Being high in sugar, oranges are also high in calories, and they can make the obesity problem even worse. If that is the case, go for strawberries better.
Last, but not least, use only natural and fresh oranges. While the fruit is safe, any store-bought orange juice or orange-flavored drink and snacks are not safe for your dog.
Most of these items contain artificial sugars, and they spell troubles for your puppy.
Last, but not least, be aware of the additional calories and sugars, and whether they are fit for your dog’s daily diet and lifestyle. If your dog is not that much active, any additional sugar can cause obesity.
Does your dog need oranges?
Dogs on complete and balanced diets do not need any mineral or vitamin supplementation. With that in mind, in most cases, your dogs do not need additional vitamins from fruits.
Their food provides it. We mentioned that dogs with vitamin C deficiency need some oranges.
With that in mind, oranges, and fun and refreshing. And not all dogs are all about the meat. You will be surprised, but some dogs go crazy for fruits and vegetables.
In addition to oranges, there are other fruits that are safe for your dog. Those include bananas, blueberries, apples, and watermelon as the most well-known one. You might even see these as an ingredient in your dog’s food.
If you feed your dog oranges, make sure to do it safely. That means removing peel, rind, and seeds.