Can Dogs Eat Oranges?

It's summertime, and some of you have been reaching out to us at Cornucopia Pet Foods to ask the team at Cornucopia, with their 50+ years of experience, “Can dogs eat oranges?"

 Can My Dog Eat Oranges? (Yes)

You will be very happy to know that…yes, to some extent, your pooch can eat oranges.

According to the experts at Cornucopia, while normally not all fruits and vegetables are safe for dogs, oranges are fine for them to eat-although in very small quantities. 

As some of us might know, oranges are full of vitamin C, which can benefit your dog’s immune system. In addition, packed with the goodness of such nutrients as potassium, and some fiber, they are also low in sodium. The high-water content that this leads to can provide the added hydration your pet so desperately needs on hot summer days.

But just how much is very small quantities? How much orange can I give my dog?

How Much Orange Can I Give My Dog?

Indeed, whilst an orange makes for a healthy dog snack, it must only be given in limited amounts — perhaps one or two segments a day. 

The rule of thumb is that, even if your dog shows adverse reactions or signs of indigestion, limit its intake of oranges and all treats to no more than 10 percent of your dog's daily calories.

This advice is most important if yours is a small dog.

Can Small Dogs Eat Oranges?

Although not toxic to your dog, oranges do not have their hazards-especially if you have a small dog.

According to the team at Cornucopia, while oranges are non-toxic to dogs, there are some things to remember when feeding them to your dog as a snack. 

Firstly, oranges contain moderate sugar content, that can potentially cause GI upset if your dog eats too much. Consequently, the team at Cornucopia advises that you always check with your vet before you offer a new sweet, Vitamin-C- loaded food such as an orange which has high sugar content to your dog-especially if diabetes or weight management is a concern when it comes to your pet.

However, should you decide to give your dog an orange this summer, then it is probably a good idea to start slowly and observe how your pooch's stomach reacts. 

NOTE, citrus fruits are acidic. This can lead to signs of diarrhea and/or vomiting in some dogs.

PLEASE STOP! feeding your dog-big or small- oranges AT ONCE should you notice any adverse reaction or unusual digestion-related behavior that you suspect could be the result of your pooch eating an orange.

Unlike big dogs, because of their smaller bodies, small dogs are more easily and greatly affected when they eat potentially toxic foods in large quantities. As such, even if your small dog has a large appetite for oranges, always limit its intake of the treat. 

Doing so for both small and big dogs will help you not only prevent a high intake of possible toxins, but also an upset stomach and weight gain in your dog. 

Other than the precautions outlined above, usually, smaller dogs without any underlying medical health conditions or sensitive gastrointestinal (GI) systems can, safely eat 1-2 sections of a moderate-sized orange while larger dogs can, safely eat 2-4 sections.

And just how do I serve oranges to my dog, you ask?

How to Serve Oranges to Dogs

If your dog is one of those that will gobble anything and everything you put in front of it, then be extra careful when giving your dog an orange to eat. The tarty smell and taste of orange might just tempt your dog to gobble both the fruit and the orange peel or rind! 

So, firstly, make sure you peel the orange. While orange peels are not toxic, however, they can get lodged in your doggie’s digestive tract, causing an obstruction that will require corrective surgery. 

Secondly, also remember to remove all seeds. Seeds can be a choking hazard, especially for smaller dogs. And should seedless varieties of orange be out of season in your neck of the woods, then other types of oranges are fine to give to your dog, but PLEASE don't forget to remove seeds.

Otherwise, it’s best to keep oranges out of your dog’s reach for these reasons. 

Once the steps above are out of the way, feel free to give the peeled, seeded, and succulent appropriate portion to your dog by hand. It builds intimacy with it that way.

Alternatively, give it to your dog as a topper in its regular meal. 

Want to feed your dog the best food for pets? Check out our collection of healthy and organic products today!