Mandarins look like balls and therefore are very attractive to dogs. Pet parents often have faced the question, can dogs eat mandarin/oranges? We know mandarin and all citrus fruits are loaded with Vitamin C, which can be very helpful in dogs’ nutrition.
So, giving them one odd slice of mandarin is ok. But what happens when your beloved canine friend gets hold of a whole Mandarin off your kitchen top?
Table of Contents
Can Dogs Eat Mandarins?
Mandarins are loaded with Vitamin C and belong to the Orange Family. Even though mandarins are not toxic to dogs, they could cause severe discomfort if overate. A dog’s digestive system is not designed to digest citrus fruits. The sugar level in mandarins is high for dogs with diabetes, and if your dog consumes it, make sure to call your veterinarian. To know more about what happens to a dog when they eat Mandarin read ahead:
What Are Mandarins?
Mandarins belong to the orange family and are smaller than regular oranges. They are loaded with Vitamin C and other benefits of citrus fruits. They are sweet, tangy, and are a great addition to your dog’s diet.
Are Mandarins Good For Dogs?
A few pieces of mandarin here and there during the week are ok. However, regularly feeding your dog a whole portion of mandarin could harm them. Since mandarin contains a high sugar level, they are unsafe for a dog as they do not have the system to digest citrus.
Is Mandarin Peel Safe For Your Dog?
It happens with many dog parents that while you are peeling mandarins, your dog is around, and they try to get hold of the mandarin skin. The skin of mandarin, even though it is not inherently toxic to dogs but could cause some gastrointestinal issues. The high level of citric acid in mandarins can cause an upset stomach. You could also see symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting in dogs that ate mandarin flesh.
How To Safely Feed Your Dog Mandarins?
Research shows that not many dogs like the taste of citrus fruits. Hence if you see your dog run away from your mandarin piece, you can assume they did not like it. While giving your dog mandarin for the first time, make sure you remove the seeds from it. The mandarin seeds contain cyanide hints, which could upset a dog’s digestive system.
If your dog ran away from Mandarin or other citrus fruit, you could serve them other dog-safe fruits like apples or Bananas.
What Is In Mandarins That Is Harmful To Dogs?
Mandarins are a great source of vitamin C like every other citrus fruit. However, before feeding your dog mandarin, you should know the following ingredients present in mandarin that should be kept away from your four-legged friend:
SUGAR: The high amount of sugar in mandarins and citrus fruit can cause tooth decay and diabetes in dogs. It could also lead to obesity if overfed. Adding sugar to your dog’s diet is an unnecessary practice and, therefore, should be avoided.
SEEDS: Mandarin contains seeds like their siblings from the citrus family. The seed contains hints of cyanide which could upset your dog’s digestive system. Therefore, before throwing that mandarin slice at your dog, make sure that you remove the seeds and dispose of them properly out of your dog’s reach.
PEELS: Mandarin skin/flesh is complex for your dog to digest. It is bitter or sour in taste and could cause vomiting, diarrhea, or upset stomach in dogs. Additionally, peels could be sprayed with pesticides that can be toxic to your canine friend’s health.
What Symptoms Will Your Dog Have When They Eat Too Many Mandarins?
Upset stomach: Feeding your dog mandarins can cause indigestion and an upset stomach in dogs. Make sure that you don’t feed your dog mandarins regularly!
Excess Water Intake: In adverse cases, where your canine friend ate too many mandarins, they could get excessively thirsty.
Are There Any Benefits Of Feeding Your Dog Mandarins?
Yes, your dog could benefit from the occasional Vitamin C, A, and mineral intake with mandarins! In addition, mandarins are an excellent water source if your dog likes mandarins.
Conclusion
To answer whether dogs can eat oranges and mandarins: even though mandarins are not toxic or fatal, you should not feed your dog citrus fruits regularly. They are loaded with nutritional values and are a great addition to a human’s diet. However, dogs do not digest citrus fruit well. So keep in mind the following before you feed your dog mandarins:
- Citrus fruits do not fit well with dogs and therefore should be avoided from feeding them.
- One odd piece here and there throughout the week is ok for dogs.
- If you see symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting in dogs after eating mandarins, take them to their veterinarian.
- If you are feeding your dog Mandarin, remove the seed and the flash before it lands in your dog’s bowl.
FAQs
Can dogs eat mandarins or oranges?
Yes, your dog can enjoy mandarins and oranges as occasional treats as they are an excellent source of minerals and vitamins. In addition, feeding mandarin to your dogs can ensure they are well hydrated. However, remember that you have to limit the number of pieces you feed your dog.
Are mandarins toxic to dogs?
Even though mandarins are not inherently toxic to dogs, feeding them too much can cause indigestion and discomfort in many dogs. In addition, since mandarins are loaded with citric acid, they could meddle with your dog’s stomach. If your dog is diabetic, keep mandarins away from it.
How many mandarins can I give my dog?
Two odd pieces of mandarins twice or thrice a week will not harm your dog. However, ensure that before serving your dog mandarins, you remove the peels and de-seed them. Since mandarin is acidic in nature, it could cause indigestion in dogs. Therefore avoid feeding them too many mandarins.
Can I feed my dog clementines, tangerines, and mandarins?
Dogs can safely eat two-three pieces of tangerines and mandarines. However, they should be kept away from clementines since clementines are high in sugar. Make sure that whatever you feed your dog is moderate.
