Can Dogs Eat Mandarins? Risks and Benefits
As you can see, there is always the risk of an initial or immediate effect which is an anticipating effect and wants to know what is being treated. So actually one is always faced with a risk of immediate effects or initial effects as one can see here and there is also a benefit which is always the anticipating benefit regardless of time, you are always faced with a benefit of what is being corrected or what is being treated. As dog parents, we would never wish not to find new surprises that would be healthy to our fur babies.
However, dogs do not eat everything that human beings eat. Concerning the fruits, the majority of them are not dangerous, in general, though, the person will have to study which fruit can be dangerous. Mandarin orange is one of such fruits that gives rise to a number of questions. Mandarins are sweet-tangy and they rank among the most popular citruses, so can dogs eat mandarin? The questions that the article answers are, Is it safe to feed a dog with mandarins? What are the possible benefits and shortcomings; how may you make this safe to pursue into your dog. You may be wondering to know more about your pet food habits and guide then Pet Fresh Supplies can be the best place for you.
Can a Dog Eat Mandarins?
It is, however, important to mention that even though the fruit is not toxic, the dogs must only be exposed to mandarins in small quantities. Most pet experts advise that fruits are supposed to constitute only a minor portion of the total diet of your dog. High-quality dog food should form the most important part of the nutritional content of your dog and this diet should be well balanced in terms of the ratio of proteins, fats, and the necessary vitamins and minerals. There are certain food that cannot be given to certain dog breeds.
Mandarin Health Benefits to Dogs
Mandarins can also be used cautiously, at least with respect to the health benefits it can bring to dogs, provided that they are taken in small amounts. Now, shall we have a closer peek on what the nutrients in the mandarins do and how they could benefit your dog?
Vitamin C
Mandarins contain Vitamin C which is responsible for nourishing a healthy immune system. The dogs, as a rule, are producers of their Vitamin C, but it may become deficient due to some health issues or old age. Feeding the dog mandarins in small quantities may also help increase the immune system to avoid infections and disease-causing germs.
Fiber
Mandarins are also dietary fiber providers. Dietary fiber also aids in maintenance of healthy bowel movements, regulation of the digestive tract and prevention of constipation. This can be especially helpful for dogs with digestive problems or those that are prone to being obese, because it would hold them over longer.
Antioxidants
Mandarin fruit is an antioxidant food which has antioxidants, such as flavonoid which is capable of protecting the cell against any damage, which has been caused by the presence of the free radicals. These antioxidants may have the potential of making your dog live a better life since they may have the ability to delay inflammation, plus boosting the immune status.
Hydration
The water content available in mandarins is high and this may keep your dog hydrated. This is particularly necessary in warmer weather or when your dog is liable to become dehydrated. Another snack that can be a nice change is a snack of mandarins which can keep one hydrated.
Potential Risks of Feeding Mandarins to Dogs
Sugar Content
Mandarins, citrus fruits among others are high in natural sugars. Although the small amounts of sugary foods do not cause any harm, they are a factor that may lead to obesity and other health complications in dogs when overdone. Sugar consumption can also cause diabetes and weight gain among other metabolic disorders.
Essential and Citrus
Dogs may get irritated by the essential oils present in the citrus fruits such as the mandarins. Such oils may result in gastrointestinal distress and in other circumstances they may result in more extreme effects such as vomiting or diarrhea. As much as the flesh of the fruit is safe, the peel and the seeds have greater percentages of these essential oils. Before serving mandarins to your dog, it should be peeled off and the seeds should be removed.
Possibility of Upset Belly
Mandarins have a high level of acidity; hence, have more chances of causing stomach cramps on some dogs. When you overfeed your dog, it will most probably become susceptible to gastrointestinal issues including an upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. Do not make your dog eat mandarins just in case he/she is sensitive to foods that are acidic.
Safe Mandarin Feeding to Your Dog
Once you choose to feed your dog with mandarins, feeding him or her safely is necessary. Following are some of the important suggestions when feeding mandarins to your dog:
Proper Preparation
You must make sure to prepare mandarins properly before feeding it to your dog. First, you have to peel and de-seed the pumpkin as the peel and the seeds may choke the dog as well as be dangerous to the vital organs of the dog as the pumpkin has vital oils that are toxic to dogs. Feed your dog with the mandarin flesh.
Serving Sizings Are Recommended
Dogs have mandarins as one of the secondary sources of food. Hence, they are to be administered in small amounts. A half piece of a mandarin slice is normally enough to serve a small dog and one or two slices can be served to a bigger dog. They should not eat mandarins every day because their excessive intake might cause digestive disorders and obesity.
Frequency
Mandarins cannot be a staple in the diet of your dog and it should be used sparingly as a treat. Donate them one or two times per week so that you do not overfeed your dog on sugar or acidity. You should also keep an eye on your dog in case it expresses any negative effect after eating mandarins. Should they exhibit symptoms of stomach upsets stop feeding them mandarins and seek your vet.
Symptoms to Watch for After Dogs Eat Mandarins
Once you feed your dog on mandarins you should be cautious on their well being since they may show signs of distress. The side effects that may be felt as a result of consuming mandarins may be some of the following:
Upset stomach: In case your dog vomits, has diarrhea, or suffers stomach pains, then it could be a case of overeating fruits.
Increased thirst or urination: Due the presence of a lot of sugar, your dog may be more thirsty resulting in frequent urination.
Sluggishness: Lethargy; Since lethargy or sickness on the side of your dog after eating mandarins would be a bad idea, you can contact your veterinarian regarding this.
Once any of these symptoms has been identified, you need to get to your vet immediately particularly in case the symptoms last longer than a few hours.
Other Citrus Fruits that can be fed Dogs
It is not mandarins only that some dogs owners take into consideration feeding their pets. Now it is time to discuss a couple more of the common citrus fruits and their safety to the dogs:
Oranges
Oranges, similar to mandarins, are rather safe to dogs in small doses. They offer good amounts of vitamin C and fiber. But oranges are sweeter as compared with mandarin, thus they should be administered in small amounts.
Limes and Lemons
Although lemons and limes have Vitamin C, they are highly acidic as compared to mandarins and oranges. Its strong acidity is likely to disturb the stomach of your dog and lead to even worse gastrointestinal complications. Consequently, lemons or limes should not be given to the dogs.
Grapefruits
Dogs are exceptionally poisonous to grapefruits whereby even slight amounts of grapefruits are likely to lead to serious health issues. They also have compounds which are toxic to the dogs hence it is important to keep away their use all together.
Conclusion
Dogs should also be fed mandarins in moderation; in this case the mandarins would be a safe and healthy dog-treat. To some extent, it can be beneficial to health because the fruit has Vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants that can be beneficial to health, especially when it can be used as an occasional snack. Nonetheless, because of the amount of sugar in it and the likelihood of gastrointestinal discomfort, it is necessary to restrict your dog to a few mandarins. Whenever you end up preparing the fruit, always do it in the right manner by disowning the peel and seeds and watch out for your dog as to whether there are certain signs of discomfort after feeding. You may read more about your pet’s eating habits by reading our blogs.
You can always refer to your veterinarian when in doubt of adding new fruits or foods to the diet of your dog. Your vet can help you with required instructions depending on the situation and what your dog is in terms of health and diet. You can know more about your pet food guide on The American Kennel Club (AKC). or PetMD.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can all dogs eat mandarins?
Mandarins are not poisonous to the canine, however they ought to be administered in small amounts. This fruit may cause stomach discomfort to some dogs as they are allergic to them.
- What should happen should my dog (including mandarins) over-eat?
Just in case you feed your dog an excessive amount of mandarins and the dog starts reporting an upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea, you should seek the assistance of your vet as soon as possible. They can also provide some recommendations and understand whether your dog needs some treatment.
- What other fruits can I give my dog?
There are other fruits, which can be regarded as safe for your dogs in a moderate population. These fruits are apples (without seeds), strawberries, blueberries and watermelon.
- How often do I feed my dog with mandarins?
Mandarins should be given as treats and not make part of daily feeding of your dogs. It should be OK to have a couple of slices every now and then or twice a week but nothing more than that.
