Can Dogs Eat Oranges?

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Although many people like to pamper their dogs and treat them just like another child in the household these days, dogs really shouldn’t be eating the exact same diet as humans. Dogs can eat some human foods, but there are also many they should never touch at all. Any good veterinarian can recommend a quality dog food to ensure your dog has a healthy, well-balanced diet that delivers all the nutrients it needs for an active and healthy life. In addition to quality dog food, you can also give your dog some human food as a treat as long as the portions are small and the foods are cooked and not heavily seasoned.

Dogs can obviously eat lean cuts of meat that have been thoroughly cooked. Lean meat is better for your pooch when it you remove all the visible fat and skin (especially on poultry) and de-bone it too. Dogs can also safely eat some vegetables including carrots, green beans, cucumbers, and most squash, but you should never, ever allow your dog to eat raw potatoes of any kind. Canines are also OK with bland, cooked white rice or pasta in small portions. Surprisingly enough, dogs can also eat limited amounts of fresh fruit including apples, oranges, bananas, and watermelon as long as you remove the seeds. Dogs were never meant to eat the seeds, stems and leaves of plants and doing so can cause them serious problems. However, if you are enjoying an orange for a snack, there is no reason you can’t safely share a few slices with rover.

On the other hand, there are also some human foods that dogs should never eat. Certain human foods and the chemicals in them can really make a dog very sick or worse. Dogs explore with their nose and test things with their mouth, and it is inevitable that they will get into something they should not, no matter how careful and cautious their owners might be. As a precaution you should always keep the telephone numbers of your local vet, the closest emergency pet clinic, and the nearest Animal Poison Control Center, posted in a prominent place where you can find them quickly in an emergency.

Human Foods Dogs Should Never Eat:

Avocados - Avocados contain a substance called persin in the leaves, seed, and bark, and the fruit that is harmless for humans, but could be toxic to dogs in large amounts.

Onions and Garlic - Powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated garlic and onions can destroy a dog's red blood cells, and lead to anemia causing weakness, vomiting, and a lack of interest in food.

Alcohol – Alcohol in dogs can cause vomiting, diarrhea, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, coma, and even death.
The smaller the dog, the more dangerous alcohol is.

Coffee and Tea – The caffeine found in coffee and tea can be dangerous for dogs and can even be fatal in large quantities.

Grapes and Raisins – Although dogs can eat small amounts of grapes and raisins, it is not a good idea because they can sometimes cause kidney failure in smaller dogs.

Milk and Dairy Products - Milk and milk products can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems in some dogs.  They can also cause allergies and skin problems.

Macadamia Nuts – Oddly enough, just a half dozen macadamia nuts can make a dog ill and larger amounts can be fatal. Symptoms of macadamia poisoning include muscle tremors, paralysis of the hindquarters, vomiting, and a rapid heart rate.

Persimmons, Peaches, and Plums – These three fruits have harmful seeds in them that can cause inflammation of the small intestine in many dogs, and peach and plum pits contain trace amounts of the poison cyanide and are obviously dangerous for any living creature.

Humans eat a lot of different foods that need to be prepared in special ways or eaten in specific quantities in order for them to be safely consumed. Humans know how to prepare these foods so they aren’t dangerous, while dogs obviously do not. Dogs can eat a large quantity of something bad in an instant, and then it might be late to do anything about it. If you suspect your dog has consumed something bad or toxic, do not hesitate to call for emergency help immediately.