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Can Dogs Eat Oranges?

Can Dogs Eat Oranges?

Updated on July 18, 2024
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Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care
Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

You love your dog and strive to feed them nutritious food and treats that will help keep them happy and healthy. But you also know how tempting it can be to share a little bit of your favorite snacks with them.  That’s why it’s important to keep in mind that canine and human digestive systems have some important differences. Dogs, for example, can’t process fat, sugar or sodium as well as we can. This means that many table scraps might be risky or even dangerous for dogs. But what about fruits and vegetables? Can dogs eat oranges? What about other citrus fruits? Read on to find out, but remember that you should never intentionally introduce a new food into your pup’s diet without first consulting your veterinarian to determine if the choice you’re about to make is a wise one.

Health benefits of oranges for dogs

Oranges are a good source of potassium, fiber and other nutrients and are low in sodium. While your dog can produce vitamin C on their own, supplemental vitamin C has been shown to help boost the general health of dogs as well as their immune systems. The sugar and citric acid in oranges can have unwanted side effects  for your pup in large quantities, however. So, while many dogs can eat oranges and the flesh is acceptable as an occasional snack, it’s not recommended as an everyday food.

How to feed oranges to dogs

Can dogs eat oranges safely? The answer isn’t completely straightforward. The peel, pith and seeds can cause GI upset, so you’ll need to carefully remove them before feeding the fruit to your pet. Luckily, oranges already come naturally segmented, and providing one segment at a time can be an appropriate amount for your dog to chew. If you have a smaller dog or one who has trouble chewing, offer a half segment at a time.

» MORE: Learn about fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat.

FAQs About Feeding Your Dog Oranges 

Yes, dogs can eat the fleshy part of oranges but not the peel, pith or seeds. However, just because dogs can eat oranges doesn’t mean they always should, you should limit their intake. Oranges and other citrus fruits are highly acidic and sugary and may upset some dogs’ stomachs. Plus, dogs don’t need as much vitamin C as humans do, as their bodies create it naturally. If your pup has diabetes or digestive issues, your vet will probably recommend against feeding oranges as a treat.

No. The peel—also called the rind—and the pith—or the white lining that connects the peel to the flesh—can cause digestive upset or even an obstruction. Trace amounts of toxins may be present in the seeds, not to mention that they can be a choking hazard. Plus, all these parts of the orange are typically hard for your dog to digest.

If your pup is healthy and loves oranges, there’s nothing wrong with giving them a segment or two every so often. As with any new food or treat that you give your dog, you’ll want to initially feed them less to see if there are any adverse reactions. Also remember that treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories.

All varieties of oranges are generally OK for dogs to eat. Just be sure to remove the seeds, pith and peel—or opt for navel oranges, which don’t have seeds (but will still need to have their peel and pith removed.

Yes. Orange juice—even when it’s natural and organic—is packed with concentrated sugar and citric acid that can upset your dogs’ stomach. Citric acid can also wear away tooth enamel over time.

Yes, dogs can eat the fleshy parts of most citrus fruits, including grapefruits, lemons and limes. As with oranges, you’ll need to remove the peel, seeds and pith. Many dogs don’t like acidic foods, however, so yours might pass on this treat.

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