Are Oranges Good for Dogs? Can Dogs Eat Oranges Peels?

Yes, oranges good for dogs. Orange is known for its purifying capacity in us, humans. But does it have the same properties and effects in dogs?

In this article, you will learn about the properties of orange and how you should give it to your dog so that he ends up liking it.

Can dogs eat oranges?

Dogs are neither fructivorous nor omnivores, but they may eat fruit from time to time. And in fact, they should try foods of this type since foods like oranges will give you an extra in many aspects.

According to veterinary nutritionists, although there are certain foods we should be careful about -such as grapes or raisins- many fruits provide them with fiber and antioxidants.

Orange has a lot of vitamin C

Oranges are well known for their outstanding contribution to vitamin C. But… do dogs need it?

Dogs, by default, make their vitamin C from the glucose they consume. However, this vitamin is always scarce in the dog’s body due to its high oxidation and usefulness. Therefore, an extra never hurts.

Vitamin C is one of the main culprits in collagen formation, vital in bone development and nail growth. So this additive could be said to be essential in all dogs, but especially in those that suffer from some mobility problem ( such as arthritis).

As is already evident in the article, the best way to give an adult dog vitamin C without making mistakes is to give him food as natural as oranges.

That’s fine if your dog typically eats oranges, like Rex, a boxer who loves the fruit. It is curious to see how he patiently waits for his owner to peel the orange and give him the segments.

We have already seen what it can mean for a dog to eat an orange. We have to convince our dogs to do it if it doesn’t come naturally.

How to get your dog to eat an orange?

Ideally, all dogs should be allowed to try all types of (healthy) food as puppies, and thus they will tolerate any “culinary novelties” well in the future.

Pro Tip: If you teach your dog to eat oranges from a young age, they will readily accept them as adults.

However, this is rarely the case. And if you have searched for the answer to this question, it is because you are already late. Here below, you will find another way to convince him.

When you have a dog who doesn’t like oranges (like a kid who hates vegetables), but you still want him to get the benefits of vitamin C, you have three alternatives:

1. Gently ‘force’ your dog to eat them

It may work at first. You may force the dog to try the food if you insist too much, but this way, you will never get him to like it (if he doesn’t like it).

One way to do this is to try putting orange pieces on his plate, which he will likely avoid.

Pro Tip: Another option is to mix all the foods and puree the fruit and meat.

As we already mentioned, the dog will end up eating the fruit in one way or another, but it will do so reluctantly. He will suffer. And we don’t want that either.

2. Throw the orange at him and “let them understand each other”

If you drop an orange in front of your dog “to see what happens,” here’s what can happen:

Some dogs like to play with food. Either because they don’t like oranges or because they think it’s better as a toy. Here we leave you a list of the best toys for dogs if you choose to eat the orange.

3. Patiently convince him

If you try to give him this fruit and your dog rejects it, it is good to encourage or reward the behavior.

Just as you can reward a child who doesn’t like vegetables with ice cream, you can convince a dog with bits of sausage, which you can give him as an alternative to the orange bits.

You can even give him fruits as a reward for something he has done well sometime later! A resource to take into account to save money with prizes.

Final precautions to be taken into account

Do not forget that any fruit is a supplement, not your usual diet.

The dog will need to get the nutrients it needs from the animal protein, and then you can take a bite of these simple dishes. So it is wiser to give them in small amounts.

It is also very important that any piece of fruit given to a dog is free of seeds and pips, making them feel bad because they are harmful to their digestive system.

Can dogs eat orange peels?  

Yes, oranges are safe for dogs, but they must be limited in consumption. If your dog is fed a balanced diet, these citrus fruits can be beneficial and safe. Overeating oranges can cause upset stomachs and other health problems. 

Pro tip: Is your cat or dog prone to swallowing things that they shouldn’t? Pet insurance is most famous for pets with gastrointestinal issues. More than 90% of dogs will have an emergency at some point in their lives. Pet insurance allows you to be more focused on your dog’s health and less on the cost of his critical care.  

Oranges are high in potassium, folate, thiamin, and dietary fiber and low in sodium. High levels of vitamin A are also found in oranges, which can help support your dog’s immune system.  

Although puppies can produce vitamin C by themselves, they can be affected by stress or intense activity. In these cases, oranges could be beneficial for your health. Even if your dog isn’t suffering from this condition, it won’t hurt to give them some vitamin C. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that will be excreted.