Orange juice is truly refreshing and has become a breakfast staple the world over.
Not only is it refreshing, but it gives you the boost of energy you need to start your day. It is tasty and is good for your health.
If you enjoy treating yourself to some orange juice from time to time, then you may be wondering “can dogs drink orange juice as well?”
As you might already know, the orange fruit is safe for your dog to eat if you give it to him in moderation. But what about orange juice? Is orange juice safe for your doggy to drink?
The quick answer to your question is yes! Dogs can consume orange juice, but only in small quantities and there are a number of things you need to know.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at orange juice for a dog and answer the question “can dogs have orange juice?” in as much detail as possible.
So here we go!
Table of Contents
Can Dogs Drink Orange Juice?
As a responsible pet parent, you may be wondering, “can my dog drink orange juice?”
Yes. Your dog can have some orange juice, but it is not recommended.
To start with, dogs have different nutritional needs and they can get all the nutrients in orange juice from their regular diet. For your dog, drinking orange juice for health benefits is not necessary.
In fact, there is no nutritional value your dogs will get from drinking orange juice.
Many dog owners think that water is too boring and that their dogs must be tired of drinking water all the time, especially when there are other drinks that taste better than plain water.
However, nothing could be further from the truth! In fact, your dog can stay fully hydrated by drinking water only.
⚠️ If your pup has sipped some orange juice, however, there’s no cause for alarm. If your pooch has drunk a whole jug of orange juice, he may have a stomach upset for a few hours. Therefore, it’s always best to avoid giving orange juice to your dog.
Can Dogs Have Orange Juice? Yes or No?
Yes. Dogs can have orange juice, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
The best way to keep your dog fully hydrated throughout the day is by providing him with fresh water at all times.
Your best friend can eat oranges if you feed them to him in moderation and without the seeds.
⚠️ However, most orange juices that are available in retail stores near you contain a lot of extra sugar, preservatives and other substances that may harm your dog.
In fact, you’ll find that some of the ingredients used may even be poisonous to your furry friend.
Therefore, it’s not a good idea to give your dog orange juice from the shop or supermarket. However, fresh orange juice (without added sugars, additives and preservatives) will not harm your doggy friend in any way.
At the same time, even if orange juice tastes good, it doesn’t benefit your pup in any way.
The nutrients in the orange fruit are often lost in the juicing process. Moreover, the juice doesn’t provide any dietary fiber. Therefore, your pooch is much better off eating the actual orange fruit than drinking its juice.
Benefits of Orange Juice for Dogs
Orange juice definitely offers many benefits to humans, but none to your dog.
No matter the amount of orange juice you feed to your doggie friend, it will not enhance their immune system or give them the burst of energy they need to get up in the morning.
Orange juice may help quench their thirst, but water helps them stay hydrated for longer while also being healthier.
If you would still like to give your dog a little orange juice, then you need to consider the consequences.
The orange juices found at the supermarket are usually packed with added sugars, additives and preservatives. Read the ingredients list on the back of the container. You’ll find many other substances besides water, sugar and oranges.
⚠️ The mixture of citric acid and sugar is bad for your dog’s teeth. Too much of this mixture can definitely damage their enamel. This can ultimately lead to tooth decay and other dental health issues.
Drinking too much citric acid from oranges can also upset your dog’s stomach, which can eventually lead to vomiting and diarrhea.
Some dogs can even become sick after consuming just a small amount of fruit juice. The consequences of drinking too much orange juice can be an awful experience for any dog. So how much is too much? Let’s find out below.
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How Much of Orange Juice Can Dogs Have?
Giving a small amount of orange juice to your dog a few times per week is acceptable.
However, the problem that may arise by feeding too much juice to your pooch is the added sugar and preservatives it may contain.
Store-bought orange juice may contain a lot of natural sugars, but some manufacturers also add artificial sweeteners to the beverage to make it more enticing.
If you want to give your doggie friend some of this juice, make sure that you check the ingredients list to ensure there are no ingredients that can be harmful or toxic to your dog.
As we’ve mentioned above, too much sugar and citric acid is a terrible combination for a dog’s teeth. Avoid drinks and foods with citric acid since they can damage your doggy’s teeth enamel.
Other problems to watch out for include vomiting, diarrhea and stomach upsets. In addition, dogs may experience a burning sensation during bowel movements due to a high amount of acid in their stools.
If your dog likes orange juice and does not suffer from any health issues after consuming it, then you can actually use it as an occasional treat, but avoid feeding them too much.
Orange juice for dogs may be ok in small amounts, as an occasional treat, but avoid giving them this juice on a daily basis. It won’t offer much nutritional value to your dog, but it might not harm him either.
Is Orange Juice Bad For Dogs?
If your dog consumes a little orange juice, there’s usually no cause for concern. In rare cases, it may upset your dog’s stomach. If your dog drinks a lot of orange juice, there could be some other problems.
Prolonged drinking could potentially cause severe health problems. The extra sugars and citric acid can damage the dog’s tooth enamel.
Moreover, the extra sugars and preservatives are likely to cause many other health problems for your dog.
With no real benefits and some potential side effects, it’s not a good idea to give orange juice to your dog.
However, there is nothing to worry about if they drink a little orange juice. The most it can do is to upset their stomach and cause discomfort.
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Side Effects of Orange Juice for Dogs
Orange juice is high in sugar, and your dog should avoid sugar. The acid content can destroy a dog’s teeth enamel if he drinks too much juice at the same time.
Too much sugar in your pet’s regular diet can cause a number of other health problems, including diabetes, obesity, hyperactivity, or lethargy. So try and keep your dog away from extra sugars!
Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid), is naturally produced by dogs and for that reason, it’s unnecessary to include it in a dog’s regular diet.
Some believe that since Vitamin C is water soluble and can be passed out in the urine, it is impossible to overdose by giving dogs orange juice.
However, overdose of Vitamin C from orange juice can pose a danger to dogs. When it is given in large amounts, it can lead to cell oxidation or damage.
The problem with overdose of Vitamin C is that the symptoms might not manifest until permanent damage is done. The damage might include inability to make their own vitamin C and an increased risk of developing oxalate stones in the urinary tract.
Contrary to popular belief, giving your dog Vitamin C with the aim of preventing conditions like bladder stones can only make things worse. In fact, no scientific studies have shown that Vitamin C helps to prevent bladder stones or any other conditions in animals.
According to the experts, pets that have a large amount of Vitamin C in their body are more likely to suffer from joint damage than those on a smaller amount.
Moreover, your dog will never get bored of drinking clean water, so it’s unnecessary to give him orange juice.
Healthy Dog Treat Alternatives
If you’re considering giving your furry friend a little orange juice as a doggie treat, there are many other alternatives that can actually improve your dog’s health.
These include raw carrots, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, honeydew, sprouts or pumpkin. All of these foods are beneficial to dogs.
If your dog loves orange juice and you still want to give him a little, allow just a few sips on rare occasions. When starting out, keep an eye on your best friend to ensure there are no issues arising during digestion.
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Conclusion: Can Dogs Have Orange Juice?
While freshly-made orange juice is safe for dogs to drink in moderation, orange juice from the supermarket isn’t recommended because it contains added sugars and preservatives, which can take a toll on your pet’s health.
In addition, orange juice doesn’t have any actual healthy benefits for dogs. There’s not much evidence that shows orange juice helps dogs overcome bladder stones or any other health conditions.
It is strongly recommended to keep your dog hydrated by giving him plenty of clean water. Therefore, it’s best to keep orange juice away from your furry friend.
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