This holiday season, there are many fruits and food on our dining table that we are often tempted to give to our dogs. Please, please, please. Be careful what you give to your dogs.
Here are some TOXIC OR BAD FOOD for your doggo: avocado, chocolates (accumulated amounts will lead to illnesses), nuts, grapes, fruitcake (the alcohol is bad for dogs), smoked ham (this has preservatives), anything with garlic and onions (accumulation in the body will cause illnesses), food with coloring and artificial flavor, and anything with salt (please remember dogs’ kidneys are much smaller than human’s kidneys).
Apples, mangoes, pears, dragon fruit and watermelon are good for dogs but remove the skin and seeds first before giving the fruit to your dog. Romaine lettuce and other kinds of lettuces are good for dogs, so are the cucumber and carrots in your salad. But do not give the salad dressing please.
Oranges are not bad for dogs but…
Oranges are not poisonous or toxic to dogs. But you can give only a small amount to your dog because oranges have a high sugar content. Their seeds and peel should not be given to dogs too because these are hard to digest.
“So if you share oranges with your pup, keep quantities small and prepare them carefully, “ said Lucy Easton in “Can Dogs Eat Oranges: Are Oranges Good For Dogs?” in the Labrador Site.
Easton added: “..there is little benefit to feeding your dog oranges, apart from some possible but unlikely benefits to liver health. But as long as your dog is healthy and without any dietary restrictions, it should be fine to give him or her a little taste of orange. Overall, oranges for dogs are perfectly safe.”
Oranges contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), an antioxidant that “helps heal wounds and protects the body from disease, making it an essential nutrient for humans,” Easton said.
However, a 2008 study by the Laboratory of Animal Nutrition showed dogs do not need additional food-sourced vitamin C. “That is, they don’t need vitamin C supplements to be healthy,” Easton said.
Dogs don’t really need oranges
A healthy dog fed with a normal, balanced diet does not need more vitamins.
“Oranges do not contain any harmful chemicals or nutrients that negatively affect dogs,” Easton said, but be careful when feeding orange to your dog as “any food can be a choking hazard for young dogs.”
Peels and seeds are also not good for dogs with GI issues or diabetes due to the acid and sugar because it can lead to upset stomachs, vomiting, or diarrhea.
The high sugar content can also cause long-term health issues in dogs. These health issues include obesity, dental problems and diabetes.
Signs your dog ate too much orange
Diarrhea, vomiting, bloated belly, loss of appetite, and lethargy are all signs that your dog may have eaten too many oranges.
“However, this does not mean that you need to be concerned. More often than not, these symptoms will pass on their own. Ensure your dog gets plenty of hydration and stop feeding them oranges straight away. If these symptoms worsen over time or your dog has other underlying health issues, contact your vet right away,” Easton said.
“As with any food, if you notice your dog behaving strangely after eating an orange, stop feeding him oranges immediately,” Easton said.
Orange juice is not good for dogs
Raw orange is best if you really want to give a citrus fruit to your dog.
Orange juice contains added sugars. “Your dog may love to lap it up, but too much can lead to health problems like obesity or dental problems. Therefore, it’s best to provide your dog with plenty of water and save orange juice just for your breakfast,” Easton said.
Health benefits of oranges
Yes, there are certain benefits your dog can get from oranges.
1. For the liver. Easton said “…additional ascorbic acid can help prevent damage to the liver and improve the stability of other nutrients. This is particularly true when dogs exert themselves through strenuous exercise, which may halt the liver’s ability to produce vitamin C. However, there is no evidence to support that giving your dog oranges has any significant health benefits. They’re more a nice treat that your dog may enjoy.”
2. Anti-inflammatory but for humans only. No sufficient research on treating canine inflammation.
Oranges, Easton said, also have anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat inflammation in humans and reduce the risk of inflammatory diseases. “But can they do the same for dogs? Although some people believe that vitamins and antioxidants may help reduce inflammation and help older pets with arthritis, there is not enough research to support the theory that oranges can treat canine inflammation,” she said.
3. Oranges are rich in fiber, and so it’s no wonder some people will look to them to relieve their doggy friend from uncomfortable constipation. However, there is no major research to support this theory. In addition, if your dog has a sensitive digestive system, it might not be best to introduce new foods such as oranges or other citrus fruits.
Ideal serving
The amount of orange to give depends also on the size of your dog.
“Large dogs can eat two or three pieces with no issues, but tiny dogs may get sick with that amount. Generally, veterinarians recommend that treats should not make up more than 10% of your pet’s daily calories. And remember, make sure to remove peel and seeds as these can cause an upset stomach,” Easton said.