The orange fruit is considered the most famous and common among citrus fruits. Some botanists speculate that it is a hybrid of mandarin and pomelo. Interestingly, in ancient times, the orange tree looked different and was a stunted, prickly shrub, and the fruit was bitter-sour. Today the fruit owes its appearance and taste to the Chinese – their skillful crossing of wild citrus fruits with the sweetest and juiciest fruits. In this article, we will find out can dogs have oranges or not.
What are the benefits of orange
In Europe, the orange (Dutch for “Chinese apple”) arrived only in the 15th century. Many people liked its taste and the bright orange color of its fruit aroused a positive attitude, that’s why right away they started trying to grow this climatically demanding tree in unusual for it conditions. For protection from the cold, greenhouses were built (by the way, the name of the greenhouse comes from the word orange). Today you can buy the sweet and sour fruit at any time of the year in any store, and the main suppliers are countries with warm climates – China, India, Brazil and others.
Overestimate the benefits of orange is impossible – it is the most useful product for vitamin deficiency, because it contains a high concentration of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), group B, as well as A, E. Vitamin C helps to strengthen the immune system and protect it from bacteria and viruses. It is involved in the processes of hematopoiesis, the synthesis of some proteins in the body, normalizes metabolic processes, accelerates the removal of toxins from the body.
Ascorbic acid protects the body from the negative effects of stressors. In addition, it is found that vitamin C slows the aging process in the body and inhibits the development of cancer cells, so taking it is recommended as a preventive measure of cancer.
In 100 oranges contains 58.2 mg of vitamin C, while the daily norm is about 90 mg. But in addition to ascorbic acid the orange fruit contains other useful substances:
- Fiber and pectin – they are necessary for the normal functioning of the digestive organs. Enveloping the intestinal mucosa, they improve its peristalsis, “feed” the useful microflora;
- Phytoncides – have an antibacterial effect on the body;
- Essential oils – have a relaxing, sedative effect;
- Anthocyanins – protect cells from oxidative processes;
- Flavonoids – reduce fragility of blood vessels, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, inhibit blood clotting.
Can dogs eat mandarin oranges?
Veterinarians do not include orange in the list of prohibited products for four-legged pets, so you can give your dog an orange, but only if you follow certain rules.
The vitamin-rich overseas fruit will undoubtedly have a beneficial effect on the pet’s body. The dog’s body produces its own vitamin C, but in case of illness, stress and exposure to other negative factors, additional nutrition will do no harm. Oranges stimulate the immune system of the animal in addition, they contain minerals – potassium, iron, as well as fiber, necessary for the body of the animal.
Important!
Orange contains natural sugars, which must be taken into account when feeding the pet – the frequent presence of citrus in the diet can cause a spike in blood sugar levels, so the fruit is forbidden for dogs with diabetes. Therefore, the answer to the question, “Can dogs eat oranges” is obvious, you need to do everything correctly, having previously studied the material about oranges.
Can dogs eat tangerines?
Animals living in the wild extract essential nutrients and vitamins from plants and berries. Given that in the natural environment there are no products analogous to oranges and tangerines and other exotic fruits, experts do not recommend feeding them to pets. Read more about exotic fruits and dog feeding: can dogs eat pineapple and should the dog eat bananas.
How many oranges can dogs eat?
Oranges and tangerines for pets are treats and should not make up a large portion of the diet. Pets get most of their vitamins, minerals and other nutrients from foods that form the basis of their diet. These are meats, grains and vegetables. It is not necessary to include oranges in the daily menu of the pet, and to encourage the pet the amount of treats (in terms of calories) should not exceed 10% of the total daily calorie intake. And we are not only talking about oranges, which the dog should not eat more than 1-3 slices per day.
But at first you can only give one, or even half a slice, first cleaned of the peel, membrane and seeds. You can give only the pulp, if the dog eats it, you need to observe the reaction of the body. After all, oranges and other citrus fruits are considered some of the most allergenic foods.
Interesting!
In fact, most dogs don’t like citrus because of its sour, bitter taste. If the dog doesn’t ask for it, you shouldn’t even offer it. He should get all the nutrients he needs from a proper diet. Especially since vitamin C is produced by your dog’s body. So after reading our material you can decide: can dogs eat oranges or tangerines?
Can a dog safely eat oranges and how many oranges can dogs eat
Restricting dogs from eating citrus can be due to several factors. First of all, the acid that oranges contain in large quantities can provoke vomiting or diarrhea in the pet. Secondly, and this is important because it is a factor that can lead to negative consequences for the pet’s body, all imported fruits from other countries undergo special processing. This allows them to be picked unripe, allowing them to ripen on the road, and the processing preserves the freshness and flavor of the product.
For this purpose, it is used:
- Diphenyl, a crystalline substance insoluble in water, which is mixed with organic solvents to produce a solution, resulting in a toxic compound. Although health and safety regulations require that only the outer part (peel) of the fruit be treated, there is a risk that toxic substances could get inside;
- Gases, fungicides, and methyl bromide are also used to prevent the fruit from rotting during transport. All of them are also toxic and can be ingested if the rules of transportation, storage are violated. The longer exotic fruits are brought to us and stored in warehouses, the more dangerous they become to health.
Of course, the body of a healthy animal is quite able to cope with the toxins, but is it worth exposing the health of the pet to such tests?
Important!
Veterinarians do not recommend overfeeding pets with exotic fruits – much healthier and safer are local fruits and berries, and even better – those grown on your own farm. So can dogs eat oranges safely, they can, but in moderation. For senior dog, it is better to choose balanced food from Orijen dog supplies for small and large breeds. Dog food is conveniently stored in special storage containers.
Can a dog have orange juice?
You should not, Natural orange juice is a more concentrated source of sugars and acids, particularly citric acid, and this is certainly not good for the body.
There is one more limitation, if you still decide to spoil your pet with slices of citrus fruit once in a while. Dogs categorically should not be given the peel (the reason is the presence of toxic substances in it, mentioned above), seeds and internal septa of the fruit. They can cause blockage of the intestines, which will lead to its obstruction and life-threatening. Check out the excellent range of Royal Canin hypoallergenic dog food.
Can I give my dog orange peels?
Large quantities of orange peels have a laxative effect and cause vomiting. Miniature breeds can be given about a third of an orange a day, but large dogs can be given a whole fruit at a time. The peel contains no hazardous substances, but it is difficult to digest, so you should not give orange peels to dogs.
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