Alice White
Oranges are one of the most popular fruits. The sun-ripened fruits taste good both pure and as juice and are particularly popular for breakfast and as a healthy snack in between. But can dogs also eat oranges? We explain to you which nutrients are contained in oranges and what you have to pay attention to when you want to give your dog oranges or orange juice.
Are Oranges Healthy for Dogs?
Yes, oranges are very healthy for dogs. The fruits provide the body with many important vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are found in particularly high quantities in oranges:
- Vitamin C strengthens the dog’s immune defense.
- Potassium, calcium, and magnesium support nerves, bones, and joints.
- Beta-carotene has an antihypertensive effect and strengthens the skin and coat.
- Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 contribute to healthy energy metabolism.
Can Dogs Have Oranges?
If you want to feed your dog orange, make sure that the fruit is completely ripe. The best way to check this is to try a piece yourself. If the pulp is juicy and sweet, you can offer it to your dog without hesitation. Like all citrus fruits, however, oranges contain a lot of acids and should therefore only be fed in moderation.
Therefore feed your dog a maximum of one orange. Larger amounts can lead to indigestion, diarrhea, or vomiting due to the acid. If possible, buy untreated oranges, peel the fruit thoroughly before feeding and remove all seeds so that your dog does not ingest any toxins such as the hydrocyanic acid contained in the seeds.
Is Orange Juice Good or Bad for Dogs?
As an alternative to the whole fruit, you can puree oranges before feeding or process them into juice. Orange puree and orange juice have the advantage that the bioavailability is higher. This means that the contained nutrients can be better absorbed by the dog. In this way, your fur nose benefits optimally from the vitamins and nutrients it contains. In pureed form, the fruit can also be mixed well with the food if your dog spurns pure fruit.
Tip: Puree the pulp of the oranges so that the vitamins can be better absorbed by your dog.
