Yes, dogs can eat mandarin oranges in moderation. Mandarin Oranges are citrus fruits with lots of beneficial compositions within. And it is proven to be a good source of antioxidants and anti-toxin for your canine’s health.
Mandarin oranges are the citrus fruit belonging to the orange family. Clementine, Tangerine are the two variants of Mandarin. Unlike Clementine, Tangerines are more tart. Mandarin’s thick skin can be peeled easily. It is more of seasonal fruit and can be found just before the fall. It is a vital source of antioxidants and vitamins. They are comparatively smaller in size and flat at the top.
Are Mandarin Oranges Safe For Dogs?
Yes, Mandarin Oranges are safe for dogs if fed in moderation. However, although they are packed with essential vitamins and antioxidants, there are a few parts that must be avoided, they are:
Mandarin peels: Mandarin peels may have pesticides that can be harmful to dogs. Also, feeding Mandarin peels can affect the dog’s digestive system.
Mandarin seeds: Seeds contain cyanide, affecting the dog’s digestive system.
Why Are Mandarin Oranges Good For Dogs?
Mandarins have several benefits that improve immunity and GI issues in your canine. Mandarin is a good source of Vitamin C, minerals, and a healthy treat for overweight dogs and works well with their immune system. Let us see how these vitamins and antioxidants help a dog.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A helps your dog’s vision skin and heals wounds easily. It also aids in bone growth, reproduction, and the overall immune system.
Thiamine
Thiamine is one of the 8 B vitamins, also known as Vitamin B1, one of the canines’ essential vitamins. It helps in:
Good functioning of the brain
Metabolizes fat and protein
Good for the whole nervous system
Produces energy
Increases appetite
Good for stomach health
Vitamin C
Dogs are the natural producers of Vitamin C on their own and don’t require much of it in their diet. But adding citrus fruit to their diet in small amounts won’t hurt them. Also, vitamin C intake is proven beneficial for dogs with liver diseases and gastrointestinal problems.
Dietary Fiber
Citrus fruits are a good source of dietary fiber that helps in improving stomach health. Works well with the canine who has digestive problems and heals GI issues.
Potassium
Potassium is an electrolyte essential for your dog’s health. Potassium helps electrical charges in the heart, nerves, and muscles work correctly. If your dog lacks this vital mineral, you may notice that they are constantly fatigued, which is not normal, or that they have no desire to eat.
Calcium
Calcium is an essential dietary component for your dog’s health. It is required for bone and tooth development, nerve impulse transmission, cell communication, muscle contraction, and blood coagulation. Therefore, it’s critical for your dog’s general health that he gets adequate calcium.
Copper
Copper is necessary for producing bones, tendons and ligaments, collagen, and myelin in dogs. Copper also aids in absorbing iron, making it an essential component of red blood cell activity.
Magnesium
At the cellular level, magnesium is involved in energy generation. Magnesium is required to allow the passage of energy whenever your pet moves a muscle, has a heartbeat or has thought.
Manganese
Manganese is required to produce energy, metabolize protein and carbs, and form fatty acids in dogs. In addition, manganese is a component of many enzymes and aids in the health and preservation of bone and cartilage in joints.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral found in numerous things in the dog’s body, including enzymes, proteins, and hormones. Zinc is also necessary for the immune system and thyroid function. Therefore, zinc insufficiency can cause various issues in dogs, including incapability of infection protection.
Increase immunity
Mandarins are a great fruit that helps improve your dog’s immune system. It detoxifies your dog’s body in case of consuming toxins like raisins or nuts. It helps in:
Healing Inflammation
Skin Diseases
Decrease the chances of catching a cold
Good for stomach
Good for digestion
Good for overweight dogs
Mandarins are good for obese dogs. Generally, sweet snacks tend to fatten your pooch. However, Mandarins, on the other hand, are good for reducing obesity and can be an excellent alternative to sweet snacks.
Water
Any fruit is full of water content. So does Mandarin. Mandarin helps to keep your dog hydrated and healthy.
Why Are Mandarin Oranges Bad For Dogs?
Although mandarin oranges are good for dogs, they have downsides too. First, they have high sugar content, affecting the dog in various ways.
Tooth decay
Stomach Upset
Diarrhea
Diabetic problems
GI issues
Excessive ingestion of Mandarin oranges can cause more severe health issues like:
Drooling
Vomiting
Increase in blood sugar levels
How Much Mandarin To Feed Your Dog?
Mandarin oranges or any variant of oranges can add up to 10% of your dog’s diet. The same proportion will be applicable for the puppies too. However, too much Mandarin may harm your dog’s health, and that might require calling your vet.
How to Serve Mandarin Oranges to My Dog?
Serving mandarin oranges to your dog is interesting. First, remove the peel and seeds. Next, remove the thin translucent layer, separate the pulps and serve it minimally to your small dog. If your dog is large, serve three to four segments of mandarin oranges.
While serving, remember the 10% rule to maintain your dog’s good health.
What If My Dog Ate Mandarin Oranges?
Mandarins are not toxic for dogs, and according to the vets, a canine can consume one whole Mandarin without any health issues. If they are being fed with Mandarins for the first time, it may seem they are witnessing little vomiting or diarrhea. But these are mild symptoms and aren’t considered bad for your dog’s health.
In case your dog has eaten the whole crate of mandarins, seeds, and peels, we suggest you contact your vet immediately for any further instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is orange poisoning in dogs?
Mandarin oranges are not harmful to your dogs if served in good proportion. If your dog has ingested an excessive amount of mandarin, that might lead to some symptoms such as:
Vomiting
Drooling
Muscle Spasm and tremors
Intestinal Obstruction
Depression
Weakness
Can dogs be allergic to mandarins?
No, mandarins are generally not allergic to dogs if fed in diet-approved proportion.
Can dogs eat orange peel and seeds?
Peels and seeds should be removed before feeding your dogs. Peels are challenging to digest, and the oil in the peels can cause severe GI problems and stomach upsets leading to vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration.
Can all breeds eat oranges?
Mandarin consumption reactionaries can differ according to the breed and size of the dog. A larger breed can tolerate more orange segments than a smaller breed.
For instance, breeds like Husky and German shepherd can have 2-3 segments of oranges with no health issues, whereas smaller breeds like Yorkie and Pomeranian should be fed less than that.
Can dogs eat tangerine oranges?
Yes, dogs can eat tangerine oranges in moderation. They are not toxic to dogs. However, excessive consumption can affect the digestive system.
Can dogs eat satsuma?
Yes, dogs can eat satsuma in moderation. They are packed with vitamins and minerals. However, excessive consumption may trigger digestive issues.
Final Thoughts
So we can comprehend that Mandarin oranges are beneficial to dogs’ diet and can be considered a good alternative to any sweet treat for your dog. But it is always necessary to contact your vet when you are adding any new food to your dog’s diet. Mandarins are good food for your dog until they are served in a diet-approved proportion, as discussed in this article.
