Can Dogs Eat Orange Peels? Nutrition Facts & Safety Guide

Dogs, like people, enjoy snacking on a sweet piece of fruit, and will often enjoy strawberries, bananas and apples. But what about oranges, and specifically orange peels? Are they safe for dogs to eat, or should you avoid feeding them to your pet?

The short answer is, no. Orange peels should not be fed to dogs.

Orange peel itself isn’t toxic to dogs, and it’s not likely to poison them, but it is quite hard for dogs to digest and consumption may lead to your dog suffering from an upset stomach. Orange peel can also be a choking hazard, so it’s a good idea to ensure that you don’t leave any orange peels on a plate where your dog can reach them.

What Symptoms Should I Look Out For?

If for some reason your dog does eat some orange peel, provided he has swallowed them without any issue, there is no need to panic. Your dog is likely to experience diarrhea and vomiting, but it is unlikely to cause a lasting problem, and your pet will likely be back to their usual self within a day.

If your dog suffers more than mild symptoms, or if you are at all concerned about your dog, you should consult your vet.

Possible symptoms

Is There a Way to Stop My Dog Eating Orange Peel?

Orange peels smell great and will almost certainly be attractive to your dog, and if you leave them lying around, there is a good chance your dog will try to eat them.

As such, the only way to prevent your pet from eating orange peels is to ensure you don’t leave any peel where your dog can reach it, or avoid eating oranges around your dog.

What About Oranges? Can My Dog Eat Oranges With the Peel?

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), fed in moderation, oranges are safe for your dog to eat. They contain a range of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and fiber that are good for your dog, and as they’re also low in sodium can be an excellent sweet snack to give them.

However, the AKC recommends that your dog should be limited to one or two orange segments a day and that you must remove all peel and seeds before feeding oranges to your dog.

I’ve Heard Oranges Can Help With Fleas. Is This True?

Yes, orange oil is a useful natural and inexpensive way to eliminate fleas.

Sliced orange skins can be boiled in water to release orange oil. Then, once cooled, this orange oil mixture can be spread onto your dog’s fur, or mixed with a good shampoo and used to bath your dog. You can also put the orange oil mixture into a spray bottle and spray it on carpets, furniture, dog beds and dog toys to keep them flea free.

You may also want to spread a few drops of orange oil on your dog’s collar every couple of days.

See Also:

• Can Dogs Eat Apricots? Nutrition Facts & Safety Guide
• Can Dogs Drink Orange Juice? Is Orange Juice Safe for Dogs?

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Featured Image Credit: FotoRieth, Pixabay