As a responsible pet owner you want to make sure that your pup is eating all the necessary nutrients to maintain a healthy and happy life. While dogs typically enjoy a diet of meat and vegetables, you may be wondering if it's safe to add fruits like oranges, grapes, bananas, watermelons to their menu.
Here’s what you should know before giving your pup oranges
Oranges are a great source of vitamins and minerals and puns of course. But can your dogs eat oranges? The short answer is yes, but there are some safety precautions you need to keep in mind. Oranges provide an excellent source of vitamin C and potassium, both of which can help your dog health. Thanks to its properties its dietary fibers are a key element to improve digestion and absorbing food nutrients properly. While oranges are great source of vitamins and minerals make sure to monitor your dog's health for upset stomachs or allergic reactions. If these occur stop feeding them oranges and contact your local veterinarian.
Benefits of Oranges for dogs
While oranges are good source of nutrients , there are other options to provide a more balance health to your pup. Like Dr Woow Allergy and Immune chews and Prebiotics and Dr Woow Pre, Pro, Post Biotic chews that will not only be aim to better the digestion and immune system but it will provide a better overall health to your dog.
- Vitamin C & Better Immune System: Oranges are rich in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that helps boost the immune system and protect against cell damage.
- Hydration: Oranges are high in water content that allow your pup keep their hydration up especially during period of increased activity or hot days.
- Fiber: Oranges are a good source of fiber which can help regulate digestion and prevent constipation in your dog.
- Potassium: Oranges are a good source of potassium, which can help regulate fluid balance, muscle function and nerve impulse in dogs
Risk of Feeding Oranges to Dogs
Before adding any new foods to your pup make sure to check in with your vet to ensure that it fits their diet. Oranges contain high contents of sugar so if your dog is diabetic or has a weight management concern it best to check before providing oranges to them.
- Chocking Hazard: The seeds in oranges can represent a choking hazard especially for a smaller dog. Ensure you remove the seeds before giving your dog oranges.
- Diarrhea and Vomiting: Due to the acidic properties of oranges this can lead to diarrhea and vomiting in some dogs. Start with a small quantity of oranges and start adding gradually until you reach the total serving per day for your dogs weight.
- Orange Rinds: Orange rinds are not recommend to feed to dogs mainly due to its difficulty to digest and break down, causing gastrointestinal upsets.
Orange Serving Ideas For Your Dog
Oranges provide a healthy and tasty alternative to treats for our furry friends. Thanks not only to their nutritious value but also for their sweet and juicy flavor. Here are some serving ideas for your pup to eat oranges:
- Orange slices: simply peal the oranges into small pieces without the skin or seeds and give them to your pup.
- Frozen orange slices: Freeze them up and give them as a refreshing snack on a hot day.
- Use them in toys: Stuff a peeled, seeded section into a Kong toy (clean before and after use).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can dogs be allergic to oranges?
A: While fiber and vitamin C are all good, some unlucky dogs happen to be allergic to citric acid, if you see skin inflammation, itching, loss of fur, ear infection its likely to be an allergic reactions.
Q: Can dogs have orange juice?
A: Orange juice contains added sugar and has a high acidic concentration, which can cause stomach upset in canines. With juice, it might be harder to see how much orange juice your dog consumes. It' best to abstain from giving your pooch orange juice.
Q: Can dogs eat orange peels?
A: Orange peels are not toxic for dogs, however they are extremally hard to digest for our furry-friends.
Q: How much of an orange can dogs eat?
A: Oranges shall be consider as treats for your dog's health and it should not make up more than 10% daily calorie intake.
Q: Are oranges poisonous to dogs?
A: No, oranges are not poisonous to dogs and when consumed in recommended amounts, peel and seeds removed they are safe for your dog to consume.
Q: Are there any fruits that dogs can't eat?
A: Yes, some of the fruits that dogs shall not eat are Avocado, Cherries, Grapes, Tomatoes. Is always best to check with your vet for allergies and ensuring that they fit into your dogs diet.
