Oranges are high in vitamin C and if you’re like me, you eat them every day. Since getting my Vitamix, I’ve used all kinds of fruit and vegetables on a daily basis. If you have a Pug, they’ve probably looked at you with those big bulging eyes and it’s made you wonder “can Pugs eat oranges and are they safe for them.
Can Pugs Eat Oranges?
Yes, this fruit is safe for dogs to eat, as you feed them only the fleshy part and do so in moderation. You never want to feed your dog the peel or the white film (pith) that is found in the orange’s fleshy part.
Related: What Fruit Can Pugs Eat?
Related: Fresh Cooked Food For Pugs!
Are There Any Benefits To Feeding Oranges To Pugs?
While dogs don’t need to eat their fruits and veggies like we do to get essential vitamins and nutrients. There are some benefits that your dog can reap by eating oranges.
Related: What Foods Do Pugs Eat?
Fun Orange Facts
Oranges grow on trees and are a part of a large family of citrus fruits. This fruit was originated in Eastern Asia thousands of years ago. Today, they are grown in the warmest regions of the world, such as Florida.
They are a healthy source of antioxidants, Vitamin C, Fiber, and folate that provide us with several health benefits.
Nutritional Facts
These are the nutrients that can be found in one half of a large orange (100 grams)
- Fat: 0.1 grams
- Calories: 47
- Protein: 0.9 grams
- Fiber: 2.4 grams
- Carbs: 11.8 grams
- Sugar: 9.4 grams
- Water: 87%
The vitamins and nutrients found in oranges can help strengthen your dog’s immune system. Oranges can also help older doggies with a vitamin C deficiency. Dogs possess a natural ability to make their own vitamin C, however, as they age, their body doesn’t produce it as well.
As you can see, your dog will be fine without eating an orange for Vitamin C. Some people claim have shown that Vitamin C can help treat bladder infections or even hip dysplasia. Unfortunately, there have never any scientific studies to back up those claims.
Are Oranges Safe For Pugs?
The citric acid found in clementines, oranges, and tangerines is not toxic or harmful to your dog. As long as it is fed in moderation, it can be a safe treat for your pooch.
These citric fruits are high in sugars and cause digestive system problems if your pooch has too many slices.
Digestive Problems Can Be Common
Unfortunately, too much of a good thing can be bad for your dog. Diarrhea and vomiting are common side effects for dogs that have consumed too much of the citrus fruit.
Oranges and other citrus fruits are high in sugar and citric acid. This is why it’s important to monitor your Pug closely when feeding them a piece of orange.
If your dog experiences any digestive issues after ingesting even a small amount, stop feeding them immediately and eliminate it from their diet.
What Types of Oranges Can Dogs Eat?
There are literally several types of oranges such as Tangerines, Clementines, Mandarin, Blood Oranges, Pomelo and etc. Basically, it comes down to two basic categories for oranges, the sweet and the bitter types.
Start out with the navel oranges first, just remember to remove the seeds, pith, and the peel. If those are out of season, I’d opt for a different sweet orange and avoid any of the bitter ones.
Dogs tend to do better with sweet rather than bitter fruits, that’s why dogs don’t do lemons.
Can Pugs Eat Orange Leaves?
People have been using orange leaves as herbs or to make tea. In fact, the orange blossoms are well-known for their scent and essential oils. Unfortunately, both the blossoms and leaves can be toxic to dogs and other pets.
If you have an orange tree in your backyard, the bark is also dangerous for dogs. Consuming the leaves, bark, blossoms can lead to orange poisoning. Although, they would need to eat a very large amount.
What About The Peel And Seeds?
The orange peel and the seeds are NOT toxic to dogs, they do present a choking hazard. Your dog won’t be able to digest them and even if they do swallow them, they can cause a blockage.
Not only that, but they can cause your pup to get an upset stomach. Always peel the fruit and remove the seeds before feeding it to your dog.
Can Dogs Drink Orange Juice?
No, absolutely NOT. Orange juice is high in acidic content and sugar which can eat away at their tooth enamel over time. Dogs will do fine by just drinking water to stay hydrated.
If your Pug has taken a few laps of water with their tongue, they should be fine. However, if they drank a whole jug of orange juice, they’ll most likely experience a tummy ache for a few hours.
Avoid giving your Pug any store-bought orange juices, orange-flavored drinks, and snacks. Almost all of those items contain artificial sugars, which are very bad for their health.
The tummy ache should go away on its own, but if it doesn’t, I’d recommend contacting your veterinarian.
Feeding Oranges to Pugs: Use Common Sense
As with any type of fruit you feed your dog always make sure that you’re only feeding them the edible parts they can consume and won’t cause any choking hazards.
Also, make sure you only feed them in small moderation and monitor them closely in case they have an allergic reaction or become sick.
If your dog doesn’t show any interest in eating the fruit, don’t try to force them. Pugs love to eat and you should NEVER force them to eat something they just don’t want or don’t like the taste of.
Which Parts Of An Orange Should You Feed A Pug?
Refer to the table below for a quick summary on which parts of orange to feed your dog.
| Parts of an Orange | Safe for Your Pug to Eat |
| Peel | No |
| Pith (white film) | No |
| Flesh | Yes, this is the only part they should eat. |
| Leaves | No, they have essential oils that can be toxic to dogs. |
| Seeds | No |
How Can I Feed My Pug Oranges?
If this is the first time feeding your Pug fruit, then start off with 1-2 sections of the flesh. Monitor him/her closely to ensure they do not get sick or have any side effects, which can take a while to show up.
If your dog has diabetes or suffers from obesity, avoid feeding them any part of the orange. You’ll want to opt for a healthier option such as strawberries.
The sugar content is high and can lead to tooth decay and weight gain if fed too often. Never feed a puppy that is less than 12 months old and is still in the growing stages, anything other than high-quality puppy food.
Remove The Peel, Seeds, and Pith
Always remove the seeds, peel, and pith before feeding your Pug any parts of this fruit. The pit isn’t toxic for your doggie, and it is rich with fiber and antioxidants. However, it can be difficult for your Pug to swallow this part.
Feed them the flesh of the fruit only!
Recipes for Dogs
There are literally tons of orange recipes specifically for dogs that you can try out. Spend some time browsing the Internet and I have no doubt that you’ll find one. Here’s an Orange Cranberry Dog Treat Recipe (source) that you can try that I am sure they will love.
How Many Oranges Should You Feed Your Pug?
If there are no negative reactions or your Pug isn’t allergic to the fruit, you should only feed them one to two sections of the fleshy fruit at any given time. It is recommended that you feed a dog no more than one or two segments per day.
Alternatives to Oranges For Pugs
If your Pug enjoys eating oranges, I’d highly recommend checking out some of these other fruits which will make a great occasional treat for your dog!
Final Word On Feeding Pugs Oranges
Now that you know oranges are safe for your Pug, it’s important to know that treats, vegetables or fruits should not consume more than 10% of your Pug’s daily calories.
Don’t feed your Pug oranges every day, instead use it as an occasional treat. Your Pug should be getting most of its nutrients from high-quality dog food, like this.
Research and Further Reading
Wiley Online Library – The Effect of Vitamin C Supplementation In Healthy Dogs On Antioxidative Capacity and Immune Parameters