Yes, Dogs can eat clementines! In moderation, oranges are a healthy addition to your dog’s diet with many great benefits.
Are you considering sharing the sweet taste of clementines with your dog? Has your dog stolen a piece of clementine and you’re worried about whether he is going to be okay?
The good news is that clementines are safe for your dog.
In fact, if you’re wondering to yourself “can dogs eat oranges?”, you’ll be happy to know that feeding oranges to your dog can offer great health benefits to improve and extend your dog’s life. But, be careful not to give too much citrus fruit.
Are Clementines Good for Dogs?
Clementines can be beneficial to your dog’s health, but there are also some risks to consider.
When first introducing a new food to your dog, always consult with your veterinarian. Offer a small amount and watch for any signs of illness.
Health Benefits of Clementines for Dogs
Vitamin C
Like with humans, vitamin C offers many great benefits. The best-known is the fact that it boosts the immune system.
It also works to reduce inflammation and fight the effects of aging.
While your dog’s liver will synthesize vitamin C naturally, it’s always good to offer more. This will cover if his liver isn’t providing enough.
Vitamin C is a water soluable vitamin, so any extra will pass in his urine.
Potassium
This valuable electrolyte plays an important role in the function of your dog’s heart.
It helps aid the electrical charges that move through the nervous system. These electrical charges are used to send messages to the muscles in his body.
A dog that is deficient in potassium may feel tired all the time. This is caused by the heart struggling to keep up.
They may also experience a decrease in muscle mass. The electrical charges allow for muscle contractions.
With weaker muscle contractions, the muscles begin to weaken. Your dog may also experience muscle cramps.
Fiber
If your dog is expereincing digestive problems, fiber is a great addition to his diet. It helps to regulate digestion and relieve either constipation or diarrhea.
Fiber also leaves your dog feeling full longer. This is great for supporting weight loss.
Hydration
Clementines contain a high water content. This means that they can provide necessary hydration.
If your dog isn’t drinking enough water, adding foods with high water content can help! They are enticed to eat the food with the yummy taste and reducing the risk of dehydration.
But, any treat like clementines should not be seen as a replacement for access to fresh water.
Health Risks of Clementines for Dogs
Citric Acid
One concern if you are considering feeding clementines to your dog is citric acid.
In small amounts, citric acid isn’t likely going to cause any issues for your dog. But, in larger amounts, it can cause irritation to the digestive system.
Some experts warn that in significant amounts it can even impact the nervous system.
High Sugar Content
As with most fruit, clementines contain a large amount of natural sugar.
Much like with people, too much sugar can be problematic for dogs. It can encourage weight gain, cause dental problems or contribute to developing diabetes.
Excess sugar has also been associated with an increase in inflammation. Inflammation in the body cause cause pancreatitis, dermatitis, and arthritis.
Clementines and other high-sugar fruits should not be fed to dogs with diabetes.
Risk of Obstruction
Dogs are unable to break down the peel of an orange effectively. This means that they can cause a dangerous obstruction in the digestive tract.
An obstruction is a partial or complete blockage in the digestive system. This prevents either solids or liquids from passing through.
Blockages or obstructions are most commonly found in the stomach or intestines.
If your dog does suffer from an obstruction, surgery is often required to remove it.
How Much Clementine Can a Dog Eat?
Due to the high sugar content, it is not recommended that most dogs eat more than 1 or 2 segments per day.
To be more specific, small or toy dogs should limit their intake to 1 segment per day. Larger dogs can safely enjoy 2 segments per day.
Any treats that you feed your dog should not exceed 10% of his daily calorie intake. To determine this amount, check the calorie count on your dog’s food packaging.
Can I Give My Dog a Whole Clementine?
If your dog has recently eaten a whole clementine, take a deep breath. They are not toxic, even in high amounts.
But, there is a good chance that he is going to suffer from an upset stomach. Symptoms like nausea, vomitting and diarrhea are common.
This stomach upset will likely be further compounded if he ate the peels.
If you notice any signs of illness beyond digestive upset, contact your veterinarian. They will recommend the next best steps for his care.
The best way to safely feed clementines to your dog is to divide them into smaller bite sized pieces, and remove the skin and seeds. Start with small quantities if your dog hasn’t had them before.
Can Dogs Eat Cuties Oranges?
Yes! Dogs can eat Cuties oranges, in moderation.
Cuties are two different varieties of mandarin oranges, according to the company. The type is determined by the time of year.
From November through January, the company sells clementine mandarins. February through april, they sell W. Murcott mandarins.
Both options are seedless and safe for your dog to enjoy. But, stick to a couple of sections to prevent making him ill.
Are Cuties Toxic to Dogs?
No, feeding your dog oranges, including Cuties oranges, is safe. But, be careful to only offer them as an occasional treat.
Eating too many oranges can cause digestive upset. If your dog eats a piece of orange and gets an upset stomach, stop feeding them.
If this digestive upset continues, contact your veterinarian.
Are Citrus fruits Toxic to Dogs?
In small amounts dogs can safely eat oranges and other citrus fruits. This includes lemons, limes, grapefruit, and all types of oranges.
But, most don’t like the tart or acidic taste of most citrus fruits.
The more citric acid in a fruit, the less your dog can eat before making it sick. For example, a lick of lemon isn’t going to be dangerous, but eating too much can cause problems.
What Happens if Dogs Eat Orange Peels?
Orange peel is incredibly difficult for your dog’s digestive system to break down (this is true even for large breed dogs). This means that orange peels will likely cause digestive upset.
If your dog has recently eaten orange peels, you can expect nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Your dog may also avoid eating due to how they are feeling.
Another risk associated with the peel is the risk of an obstruction in the digestive system. Bowel and intestinal obstructions can quickly turn fatal if unaddressed.
Signs of a bowel obstruction include:
- Whining
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Painful abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Straining or unable to pass stool
- Weakness
- Bloating
- Dehydration
- Restlessness
- Aggressive response to someone touching his abdomen
If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately. Time is of the essence!
Luckily, most dogs will avoid eating the peel. They are highly tart and acidic, making them undesirable for dogs.
Can Dogs Have Orange Juice?
Orange juice is not recommended for dogs.
The oranges themself are safe in moderation. But, the juice is a concentrated version.
This means that with each lick of orange juice, your dog is ingesting a high level of sugar and citric acid. Too high for your dog to enjoy it safely.
Drinking orange juice can make your dog feel very sick, so pet parents should be wary.
Final Thoughts: Can Dogs Eat Clementines?
Are clementines a safe treat for your four legged friend? Yes! In moderation, clementines and other types of oranges can make a healthy snack for your pup.
Oranges offer some incredible health benefits.
They boost your dog’s immune system, protect joints, and fight harmful free radicals.
But, oranges of any type should only be offered as an occasional treat. With their natural sugars, too many oranges could lead to trouble.
As always be sure to consult a vet when introducing a new food into your dog’s diet.
