Can Dogs Eat Oranges?

Yes and no. Learn how to safely feed citrus to your pup

31 October 2023

Oranges aren’t just the punchline of a terrible joke your dad makes at family gatherings: “Orange you glad I didn’t say banana?” They’re also a pretty reliable snack when you’re craving something sweet but want to forgo the vending machine in favour of the fruit bowl. But what about when your dog is standing by, asking for a slice? Can they have one? While oranges are largely safe for dogs to eat, they do contain some components that can be toxic to dogs.

Nutrition facts: oranges for dogs

Most people know that oranges are packed with vitamin C, with a single orange containing about 75 percent of the recommended daily value for a person. Oranges are also loaded with other essential vitamins and minerals, including copper, potassium, calcium and numerous B-vitamins.

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Are oranges good for dogs?

Despite being rich in vitamins and minerals, oranges aren’t particularly good for dogs. There’s no proven health benefit to feeding oranges to dogs, and their sugar content can be an issue. If your dog is one of the few that enjoy citrus, oranges are fine as an occasional snack or treat, but they shouldn’t make up a significant part of any dog’s diet.

Can dogs eat orange peels?

Orange peels are toxic to dogs. Orange peels and other parts of the plant contain essential oils that can cause stomach upset. Eating orange peels can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs, so keep them out of their reach. Instead of offering orange peels to your dog, use them as an excuse to make your favourite mixed drink, complete with garnish.

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Are oranges completely safe for dogs?

There are some parts of the orange that are not safe for dogs. The flesh of the fruit is safe for dogs to consume, but the peels, tree leaves, and tree branches contain oils that are toxic to dogs. Do not give orange peels to your dog and throw them away in a secure trash can.

The bottom line: can dogs eat human foods?

Dogs can eat many human foods, but some foods that people eat are not safe for dogs. Always verify that foods are safe for dogs before offering them. Human food should not make up a significant portion of any dog’s diet. An occasional snack or treat can be fine, but these should make up less than 10 percent of your dog’s calories for the day.

Always start off with a small amount when offering your dog a new food or treat because they may be unexpectedly sensitive to it. If your dog has any health issues or is on any medications, talk to your veterinarian before introducing a new snack. Some human foods may cause negative effects for dogs with certain conditions. Keeping snacks limited is ideal, even if your dog tries to convince you otherwise.

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Other fruits that are safe for dogs

Fruits are usually high in sugar, so they should be avoided in dogs with diabetes or obesity. Even in healthy dogs, fruit should not make up a significant part of their diet, but sharing a bite of these fruits here and there can be OK.

Blueberries: blueberries are the perfect size for many dogs to catch out of the air, making them an easy snack to share. Blueberries are high in both fibre and vitamin C. If frozen, they can make a crunchy, cool treat during the hot summer months.
Apples or applesauce: apples are also full of fibre and vitamin C. They will need to be cut into pieces appropriate for your dog because dogs can choke on apple slices if they get excited and don’t chew them completely. Many dogs prefer a few licks of applesauce to whole apple pieces. Use the unsweetened version to minimise extra calories.
Bananas: some dogs go wild for bananas, which are high in potassium and fibre. Ripe bananas do contain a good bit of sugar, though, so limit it to a couple of slices when you’re sharing. Banana peels aren’t toxic, but they can pose a choking and intestinal obstruction hazard because they don’t digest well in the stomach.

Other fruits that are potentially dangerous

Avoid feeding these toxic fruits to your dog and keep them out of areas where your dog can reach them.

Grapes: grapes can cause acute kidney failure in dogs. The toxic ingredient, tartaric acid, is present in variable amounts in every grape, and some dogs are more sensitive to it than others. Because of this there’s no safe amount of grapes to feed a dog, so avoid this fruit entirely.
Raisins: unsurprisingly, dried grapes aren’t great for dogs either. The toxin in grapes isn’t eliminated when they’re dehydrated to make raisins. In fact, raisins will contain more of the toxin by weight.
Tamarinds: tamarinds are a sweet, tangy fruit commonly used in Mexican, Indian and Middle Eastern dishes. Tamarinds contain an even higher amount of the tartaric acid that makes grapes and raisins so toxic.

Frequently asked questions

How many oranges can a dog eat?

Dogs can eat small bits of orange flesh if they enjoy it, but feeding whole oranges to dogs is not recommended.

Is it OK to give dogs oranges?

It’s fine to give your dog small bits of the flesh of oranges, but you should avoid sharing the peels because they can cause stomach upset.

Why do dogs like oranges?

Many dogs seem turned off by citrus fruits in general due to their tartness and acidity, but some may like the sweetness of oranges.

Can dogs eat oranges?

If they like oranges, dogs can have a small amount of the fruit as an occasional treat. Do not give them any peel, though, because they can cause stomach upset if eaten.