Can Dogs Eat Oranges? Benefits, Risks & Safety Tips

There’s nothing more delicious on a hot summer’s day than a juicy orange. It’s tangy and sweet all at the same time. Because of this, you’ve probably been snacking on an orange and looked down to notice your pup looking up at you with pleading eyes asking for some.

Before you give your dog any human food, it’s important to do your research. After all, even though there are plenty of human foods that are safe for dogs to eat, there are also a lot that aren’t.

It can be difficult for any pet parent, whether new or old, to remember everything their pets should avoid, but we’re here to help. At Spot Pet Insurance, we understand how much goes into keeping your pet happy and healthy. After all, we’ve been there ourselves.

As part of your family, we understand that your pet’s health is one of your biggest concerns. We’re hoping that by providing educational resources as well as personalized pet insurance plans, we can help you help your pet.

Part of keeping your pet healthy is making sure they have a well-balanced nutritional diet. Your dog’s kibble should take care of all their nutritional needs, but if you’re thinking about making your pup’s meals yourself or are looking for a healthy treat alternative, you’ve come to the right place.

So are oranges safe for dogs to eat? Yes, if they are prepared properly. However, some dogs don’t like the acidic taste.

Are oranges safe for dogs to eat?

Sometimes, things happen, and food accidentally gets left out. If your dog manages to get a hold of some oranges, you’ll need to know what to watch for and whether or not you should be worried.

Fortunately, oranges don’t contain any toxins that can harm your dog, although sometimes the seeds or peels have a trace amount of toxins. Usually, it won’t be enough to harm your pup, though.

However, if your dog has diabetes, it probably isn’t very good for them to eat fruit because of the high sugar content.

You might also notice that your dog might have a sensitivity to the acid or sugar in the orange. If you notice your dog having any digestive issues, like vomiting or diarrhea, stop feeding your pup oranges until you’ve consulted a licensed vet.

If you notice that your dog has a rash or hives after you start feeding them oranges, it probably means that they are allergic, and it might be a good idea to get them tested for allergies.

It is always a good idea to discuss any dietary changes with your dog’s veterinarian. Since they know your pup and their health needs, they can advise you on what food is beneficial in your dog’s diet and what foods might not be as helpful.

Since we’ve established that oranges are safe to eat, our next step is to learn the benefits and potential risks involved.

What health benefits do oranges have?

We all know that oranges are loaded with vitamins and minerals that are good for us, but what exactly is in them, and how does it benefit our health? Do they have the same benefits for dogs?

One of the biggest health benefits oranges can offer is that they have lots of vitamin C, which supports the immune system. Dogs usually produce their own vitamin C, though, so although oranges may help us in that department, they might not have any added benefits for your pup.

A little extra vitamin C won’t hurt your dog either. Extra vitamin C won’t pile up in your dog’s digestive system; it will just end up in your pup’s urine.

Although your dog already produces enough vitamin C to boost their immune system, oranges still have other health benefits, like:

Small amounts of fiber can be great for your pup since it helps with digestion. Antioxidants are great in preventing cellular damage. Oranges can have plenty of benefits for dogs, and they make a great replacement for doggy biscuits.

Are there any dangers in feeding oranges to my dog?

Although there aren’t any toxins in the edible parts of the orange, the seeds, the pith (the white stuff), and the peel may have small amounts. Usually, this isn’t enough to cause concern, but there are other dangers that you need to pay a little more attention to.

It’s always a good idea to remove the seeds of any fruit before feeding it to your dog. This is partially because they usually contain some kind of toxin, but seeds are also choking hazards. The peels are also choking hazards since they can be difficult to chew and swallow.

Another issue is that the peel can cause blockages in the digestive system. If your pup accidentally eats some of the orange peel or the seeds, you might want to call a vet to see if you need to worry about poisoning, depending on how much they ate.

You also need to keep an eye on your pup. If they show signs of discomfort, retching without results, or constipation, it may be a sign that they have an intestinal blockage, and you should take them to the vet (and stop feeding them oranges).

What’s the best way to prepare oranges for my dog?

If you want to give your dog oranges, you’ll need to get them ready first. First, peel them and remove all the pith and the seeds (assuming this orange has seeds). If you want a seedless option, a navel orange could be a great choice.

Oranges can be used as treats while training, or you could try mixing them with an occasional meal. You shouldn’t do this too often, though, as the sugar and the acid content could upset your pup’s stomach.

How many oranges can my dog eat?

The acidity and high sugar content of the orange can upset your dog’s stomach or cause other health issues. Too much sugar can lead to certain health issues.

How many orange slices can you feed your dog? Usually, when you start, it’s best to only feed your pup one or two slices to see if they have any negative reactions to the orange pieces.

Even after they try them a few times, it’s best not to give your pup any more than a few slices. Oranges are technically treats, so they shouldn’t take up more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake.

The number of slices you give your dog will depend on how big your dog is. Smaller dogs generally need fewer calories than larger dogs.

What kinds of oranges can my dog have?

There are a few different types of oranges, so you’re probably wondering if there are any kinds that they can’t eat. Fortunately, dogs can eat any kind of fresh orange, as long as you remove the skin, the pith, and the seeds.

Some oranges are seedless, so those might be better to try since seeds can be difficult to find and remove.

Some types of oranges come packaged, like in cans or plastic cups. Usually, oranges like these have a lot of extra sugar added since they sit in a syrup. That means it’s best to avoid giving packaged oranges to your dog.

Can my pup have orange juice?

Orange juice is something that many people enjoy at the start of the day. However, it’s not really something you should give to your dog. Orange juice usually has more sugar and a higher concentration of citric acid, so it will bother your dog’s stomach.

Nutritious and delicious

Oranges can make a great treat for your dog, although they may not like the tangy taste that the acid provides. If your pup likes oranges, that’s great. If not, there are many other fruits that your pup can try, like blueberries or bananas.

Oranges have many health benefits since they contain antioxidants, potassium, and fiber. Too much fiber can cause digestive issues. Oranges also have a high amount of sugar, so you shouldn’t give a lot of orange slices to your dog.

Since they have a high sugar content, oranges are considered treats, so they should only make up 10% or less of your dog’s daily calorie intake. If your dog likes oranges, they can be a great fruit to use as incentives during training.

Part of keeping your dog healthy is by making sure that they have a well-balanced diet, but it also means that you need to keep them from eating things that aren’t good for them to have. Remembering what your dog can or can’t eat can be pretty difficult, but now you know that oranges are safe, as long as they are prepared properly.

Other Fruits That Are Safe To Eat for Your Dog

If your dog tends to turn up its nose at a treat that’s been offered many times before, or if you simply want to add variety to their diet, you can try these fruits as well:

Remember that grapes and raisins are never fruits you should feed your dog. These have particular enzymes in them that are toxic to dogs—avoid grapes and raisins around your dog like you avoid chocolate! We have compiled a big list of all the fruits your dogs should eat here.

Dogs can eat sweet potatoes and many other vegetables instead.