Can dogs eat tangerines? This is the question that has been asked many times before. The answer is yes, they can eat tangerines but should be given in moderation.
Tangerines are tangy oranges that are high in vitamins A and C, both of which are important to your pup’s skin and immune system. Consuming tangerines, much like citrus fruits, can also offer your dog a nice dose of antioxidants and flavonoids to help protect them from developing diseases such as cancer and heart disease. But as with any other citric fruits, it’s important to monitor your dog’s intake. Dogs could have a hard time digesting tangerines and could develop an upset stomach if they have too many.
Tangerines For Dogs
Dogs can eat tangerines, but only in moderation. These tangy oranges are high in vitamins A and C, both of which are important to your pup’s skin and immune system. It’s a good idea to give your dog tangerines for a variety of reasons. This citric fruit provides them with important vitamins and antioxidants, which can help ward off diseases such as cancer and heart diseases. But all of these health benefits are only viable to dogs that eat the tangerines in moderation. Always monitor your dog’s diet, because it could be harmful if they consume too many tangerines.
Eating too many tangerines regularly, on the other hand, could upset your dog’s stomach. The citric acid in tangerines can be hard for them to digest, so if they consume too many, they could develop diarrhea, an upset stomach, and vomiting. Furthermore, tangerines contain a lot of natural sugar, so if too many are eaten, it could lead to obesity and/or other weight issues. Regular consumption of excess sugar in tangerines could also lead to pancreatitis and diabetes. So, always keep a close eye out on the amount they eat.
As for the seeds and skin of the tangerines, small amounts of both shouldn’t be too much of a problem. A pooch that mistakenly swallowed one or two seeds and/or a small portion of the skin won’t likely experience any serious problems. But if they eat a large portion of the skin it could lead to choking and intestinal blockage. The seeds on the other hand contain trace amounts of cyanide, so it’s best to avoid giving your dog too many of them. Tangerine seeds are believed to contain larger amounts of cyanide in their seeds compared to other oranges, so be extra careful while feeding tangerines to your pup.
Additionally, dogs with citrus allergies, pups with underlying health conditions, pooches on medications, and pregnant dogs shouldn’t eat tangerines. However, if you’re hesitant about giving a tangerine to a pup with a pleading experience, you should consult with your veterinarian before feeding the fruit to the dog. If the vet says it’s fine for your pooch to eat the tangerine, start with small amounts, maybe a section or half once a week or you could follow the 10-percent rule of dog treats. If they seem to do well, slowly increase the amount.
But if the dog shows adverse reactions such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and/or stomach pain to eating the tangerines, immediately stop feeding it to them. These symptoms can be treated with home remedies, but if they persist, take the dog to the vet.
Conclusion
As a source of vitamin C and other antioxidants, tangerines make a great snack for your dog. But make sure they are only given in small amounts, which shouldn’t cause any problems for your dog. These tangerines are naturally rich in sugars and should be avoided by dogs with health issues such as diabetes and obesity. While tangerines are still nutritious for your dog, they need to be eaten in moderation in order to ensure that they can fully benefit from these health benefits.
If you’re giving your pup a tangerine, start with small portions and slowly increase the amount until you find out they can eat it without any problems. It’s possible to feed tangerines as part of a dog’s daily treats. However, they should never be more than 10% of the total amount of treats.
To explore more, here are some orange-related articles for dogs that you might be interested in.
Have you ever tried giving tangerines to your dog? Did they like it? We would love to hear from you. Please share your experience with us by leaving a comment below!