Yes, dogs can eat a few pieces of the mandarin but should they be eating this citrus fruit on a regular basis?

No! Mandarin may not be toxic to dogs, but they’re not a good choice for regular consumption. Dogs can’t digest citrus fruits as humans can. So, it’s unwise to give them a lot because they’ll get sick. If your dog eats too many mandarins, he/she may end up feeling nauseous, have diarrhea or experience gastric discomfort. But this doesn’t exactly mean that dogs can’t have this tasty fruit once every while. Eating a few pieces of mandarin will not harm your canine companion. It might actually be beneficial to your dogs’ health!

Here is a detailed answer to your question ‘Can dogs eat mandarins?’

Health Benefits Of Feeding Mandarins To Dogs

To begin with, mandarins are high in Vitamin C. This vitamin helps your dog’s body function better. When the body is functioning well, it will be able to fight off infections and maintain a healthy immune system. Secondly, the citric fruit has a good amount of potassium to help regulate blood pressure, heart rhythm, and other bodily hormones. Thirdly, mandarins are chock-full of antioxidants that not only improve your pet’s health but can also delay aging.

Antioxidants are important because they neutralize harmful compounds in our bodies known as free radicals. They keep the body’s functions and processes running like a well-oiled machine. The fruit also contains a lot of other beneficial minerals such as calcium, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. These minerals are essential for the development of your dog’s bone structure, his/her blood clotting ability, immune system, eyesight, metabolism, etc.

So, mandarins are quite healthy for dogs to eat. However, dogs can get most of these nutrients from their daily kibble, which is why we recommend you feed mandarins to your dog only once every while. 

Are Mandarins Bad For Dogs?

As we mentioned earlier, dogs can have a hard time digesting citric fruits. So, if your dog eats too many mandarins, he/she may develop intestinal problems such as stomach aches, diarrhea, vomiting, and even dehydration. These symptoms usually occur because your dog just can’t digest the fruit. If your canine friend is having one of these symptoms, we recommend you feed him/her small amounts of high-quality dog food and lots of water. If the symptoms persist or worsen, it’s time to visit the vet and get an exam and a diagnosis.

Additionally, fruits like mandarins are high in sugar content. This can lead to problems like tooth decay, obesity, diabetes, and other health risks for your dog. So, be sure to avoid giving your dog mandarins on a regular basis. This will only make the problem worse. And if your dog has a weight problem and/or diabetes, mandarin oranges are not a good option for them.

Another important point is that dogs should never eat a whole mandarin, especially not the seeds and the peel. Your canine bud might have a hard time digesting the mandarin peel which could lead to nausea, an upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea. The peels may also contain little amounts of pesticides which can be really harmful if your dog eats them in large amounts. As for the seeds, they could prove toxic to dogs in large quantities. Mandarin seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide, which is detrimental to your pups’ health. So, don’t give your dog mandarin seeds because of the danger they pose to your pet!

Remember to check up on your dog after he/she eats the mandarin. If your pup shows adverse reactions such as vomiting, diarrhea, and/or stomach pains after consuming the fruit, we recommend you make the dog drink plenty of water. If the symptoms persist, you should call your vet and schedule an appointment for your dog.

Conclusion

Mandarin is a great fruit for humans but not so much for dogs. If you’re wondering, “Can dogs eat mandarins?” – we’d answer, “Yes.” However, we advise you to do so in moderation and only feed your dog a few pieces of mandarin once in a while because it’s quite high in sugar and carbs. And if your friend is eating a whole mandarin, there’s a good chance that he/she will end up feeling bad. But mandarins aren’t completely off-limits for dogs, so feel free to give them a few pieces occasionally! In the end, remember that all dogs are different. So, don’t forget to watch how your dog reacts to mandarins before you give him/her a whole fruit.

To explore more, here are some orange-related articles for dogs that you might be interested in.

Have you ever tried giving mandarins to your dog? Did they like it? We would love to hear from you. Please share your experience with us by leaving a comment below!