Wild cats live on raw meat from their prey, so are raw food diets for cats safe? Although domestic cats can eat raw meat, that may not provide all the nutrients they need. Learn more about raw diets for cats here.
Yes. Dogs can have fleshy fruit parts of oranges because they aren’t toxic. But does that mean your dog should eat them? A veterinarian can help you answer that. Some factors that impact whether oranges are good or bad for your dog are:
- Weight
- Diabetes or other illness
- Digestive health
Can dogs eat orange peels?
No. Dogs should not eat the orange’s peel, the white film on the orange’s flesh or any other plant part. “It’s extremely important to remove all traces of skin, pith and seeds as these parts may contain toxic compounds,” Dempsey explains.
Are oranges bad for dogs?
Oranges have a lot of natural sugar. It’s one reason that people and dogs like to eat them. But sugar means calories, so dogs that are overweight need to avoid oranges. They really don’t need to eat extra calories. It’s the same with diabetic dogs. They should absolutely not eat oranges. The sugar can cause spikes in dogs’ insulin levels.
How much of an orange can dogs eat?
“You don’t want to feed your dog anything that will put him off his nutritionally complete meal,” Purina Senior Nutritionist Jan Dempsey says. That means you’re feeding oranges as a treat. “Treats can make up about 10% of your dog’s total calories for the day, so for most dogs this means one to three sections.”
How should I introduce oranges to my dog?
Take things slow. “Try feeding a single section to see his reaction. In general, most dogs don’t like citrus as these fruits have a greater tendency to have a bitter flavour,” Dempsey says.
Also, citrus fruit has a lot of acid in it, and this can cause diarrhea or vomiting. Try one orange section a day. Wait and watch. If you don’t see signs of any side effects, you can keep it up. But be sure to not overfeed.
Is the Vitamin C in oranges good for dogs?
We eat oranges because the Vitamin C helps us stay healthy. But dogs make Vitamin C naturally within their bodies and don’t require a dietary source.
What types of oranges can dogs eat?
There are different varieties of orange–navel, blood, etc. Try navel oranges first. They are a seedless variety. Otherwise, when navel oranges are out of season, you need to be sure to remove the seeds inside the fruit along with the peel and pith.
Can dogs drink orange juice?
Not at all. “We do not recommend this. The juice–even if it is natural–is a concentrated source of the sugars and citric acid from the fruit,” says Dempsey. Since dogs don’t need the vitamins in oranges, orange juice doesn’t help them. Water is the best drink to keep your dog hydrated and healthy.
Can dogs eat other citrus fruit?
That depends. Tangerines are a citrus fruit dogs can eat, but feed them sparingly and only the fleshy part. Like oranges, they are high in sugar and calories. On the other hand, lemons are so acidic they should be avoided. To keep your dog healthy, always research any fruit or food before giving it to your dog.
