Can Dogs Eat Oranges?

Yes, dogs can eat a little orange. Peel it, take out the seeds, and give just one or two small pieces. The AKC says that is usually enough. Too much can upset your dog’s stomach. The peel is the part to avoid.

Is orange safe for dogs?

The soft inside of an orange is fine for most dogs in small amounts. The ASPCA says that a small bite of citrus fruit is not likely to cause more than a mild upset stomach.

The ASPCA plant page for oranges lists the plant as toxic to dogs. It names oils and a plant chemical called psoralens as the cause, and it says the fruit itself is edible but the skin and plant parts can cause problems. Signs it lists are vomiting, diarrhea, low energy, and sometimes skin irritation.

So the answer depends on which part of the orange your dog gets.

How much orange can a dog eat?

The AKC says one or two small segments a day is typically enough, depending on how big your dog is. Orange has natural sugar, and the AKC warns that too much can cause diarrhea and other stomach trouble.

Treats of all kinds, oranges included, should stay under about 10% of your dog’s daily calories.

How to serve orange safely

• Peel it completely.
• Take out all seeds. The AKC says they can be a choking risk.
• Cut the fruit into small pieces.
• Start with one piece and watch your dog for the rest of the day.

If your dog acts strange or has stomach trouble after eating orange, stop giving it and talk to your vet.

Can dogs eat orange peel?

It is best to skip it. The AKC says the peel is tough and hard to digest, and it can raise the risk of a blockage in the gut. A blockage can need a vet’s help. The ASPCA also says the skin can cause problems.

If your dog swallowed a lot of peel, or keeps vomiting, call your vet.

Other kinds of orange

Can dogs eat orange chicken, like Panda Express?

No. Orange chicken is a restaurant dish with fried chicken in a sweet sauce, so it is not the same as a piece of fruit. The sources we read do not cover this dish. We also can’t vouch for what is in any restaurant’s recipe.

Here is what the sources say about the kinds of food it is made from:

• The AKC says fatty food can cause pancreatitis, a painful swelling of the pancreas. Even one big helping of fatty food can be enough to trigger it. Signs include repeated vomiting, a hunched back, belly pain, diarrhea, and no interest in food.
• The ASPCA says onions and garlic can damage a dog’s red blood cells. It also warns that too much salt can make a dog very sick. Restaurant sauces may include these, so check with the restaurant.

If your dog ate some orange chicken, watch closely for the signs above. If your dog ate a lot, or seems sick, call your vet.

Safer treats to try instead

Most dogs enjoy plain fruit in small pieces. See our guides on apples and bananas. For the full list of foods to avoid, see our guide to foods that are toxic to dogs.