Are you asking yourself “can german shepherds eat oranges?” In this article, you’re going to find out why they can be good for your german shepherd and when they can be bad. You’ll also learn the different ways you can feed them to your dog as well!
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So Can German Shepherds Eat Oranges?
German shepherds can eat oranges! However, that doesn’t mean you should feed them to your pup all the time. When you give your german shepherd too many oranges there can bad results.
You should also know that a lot of german shepherds don’t like oranges either. So if you notice your german shepherd doesn’t eat them, don’t worry too much.
Why Are Oranges Good For German Shepherds?
Oranges are good for your german shepherd for a number of different reasons. They contain vitamin C, thiamine, folate, and potassium all of which are great for your german shepherd!
But what makes them so good for your german shepherd?
Vitamin C
- Vitamin C increases the number of antibodies in a german shepherds body. Antibodies are necessary for keeping your german shepherd immune system strong and keeping them healthy.
- It also increases the amount of interferon in their bodies. Interferon is known to help their body fight cancer. Interferon also helps prevent cancer as well!
- Lastly, it’s an antioxidant. Antioxidants help prevent signs of aging in your german shepherd as well as their cells!
(According to Whole Dog Journal.)
It is important to note that german shepherds produce vitamin C in their body naturally and don’t often require supplementation. However, if they’re often doing lots of exercise, it can inhibit the amount of vitamin C created.
Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
- Thiamine is going to help your german shepherd metabolize carbohydrates. Which, in turn, gives them more energy.
- It’s also going to help your german shepherd grow in a healthy way.
- Thiamine is also helpful in the transmission of nerve impulses.
(According to Pet Place.)
Folate
- Folate is one of the nutrients used to build new cells in your german shepherd’s body. It also helps old cells regenerate as well.
- As well as helping cells regenerate it helps red blood cells grow as well.
- Folate has also been known to reduce the chances of cancer in dogs too.
- And lastly, it’s particularly effective in german shepherds who are pregnant as it helps their puppies grow. It’s even been linked with decreasing chances of a cleft palate.
(According to Wedgewood Pet.)
Potassium
- Potassium is one of the minerals that play a part in the maintenance of your german shepherd’s nervous system.
- It also keeps all of their muscles strong, including their hearts.
- Potassium also helps nutrients be absorbed faster.
- And lastly, it also contributes to keeping their bones strong!
(According to Barking Royalty.)
When Can Oranges Be Bad For German Shepherds?
While oranges do have some benefits, you should be cautious not to feed them too many. Too much of anything is a bad thing, and it’s no exception with oranges.
Here are some of the problems that can occur if you feed them too much orange.
Weight Gain
One of the biggest problems with too many oranges is weight gain. Oranges are extremely high in sugar, and if your german shepherd isn’t burning off the excess calories then they’re going to gain weight.
And with weight gain, a whole other host of problems and illnesses can begin to happen.
Diabetes
One such problem is diabetes. Although it’s rare that your german shepherd is going to get diabetes from too many oranges, they can definitely get it from too much sugar.
You should also be cautious about giving oranges to german shepherds that are already diabetic.
Stomach Problems
Too many oranges can also cause stomach problems in your german shepherd, like vomiting and especially diarrhea and flatulence.
This is another reason you should limit the number of oranges you’re giving them, if not for their sake, then for your own!
Don’t Give Them The Peel
The peel of an orange can be hard to chew and hard to digest. If you feed your german shepherd orange peels you’re going to increase the risk of them getting an intestinal blockage.
Intestinal blockages can be fatal if they aren’t treated, so make sure you’re removing the peels!
Allergic Reaction
Lastly, your german shepherd might also be allergic to oranges. If you notice symptoms that could be a sign of an allergic reaction, you should take them to the vets straight away.
Some common signs of an allergic reaction are coughing, vomiting, and itching. In more severe cases, you may notice trouble breathing.
How Should You Introduce Oranges To Your German Shepherd
When you’re giving your german shepherd an orange for the first time, you shouldn’t give him too much.
In fact, you should only start by giving him a segment or two. If you give him a whole orange at once it could end up causing them to have an upset stomach.
On top of this, if they are allergic to oranges, giving them only a slice is going to lessen the effects of an allergic reaction.
And remember, if you do notice anything wrong when your german shepherd eats oranges, make sure you take them to the vets.
How To Feed Your German Shepherd Oranges
There are a number of different ways you can feed your german shepherd oranges. Obviously, you can just give them a slice at a time, however, this isn’t the only method. Here are a few great ways you can get them into their diet.
Add A Couple Of Slices To Their Dinner
If they love oranges, then why not try adding them to their dinner. This way they’re dinner is going to have a little bit more variety and stop being so boring. And if you don’t want to use them at dinner time, you can always use them in their breakfast!
Freeze Them
Freezing oranges can be particularly effective when your german shepherd is teething! The hardness of the orange is going to give your puppy some relief while they’re teething, and the cold is also going to soothe their gums as well!
However, be cautious when you’re giving your german shepherd frozen food. If they’re teething it can sometimes damage their teeth.
(If your german shepherd is teething then you need to read this article!)
Blend It
You can also blend it on its own or with other fruits to make a nice smoothie for your german shepherd. However, remember, if you’re going to give your german shepherd a smoothie you don’t want to give them too much.
It’s going to be high in sugars that could lead to weight gain.
(Find out why your german shepherd might not be eating.)
Add It To A Kong
If you’re leaving your dog alone all-day then this is a great idea. Adding oranges along with other treats to their kong is a great way of keeping them entertained.
You can also freeze their kong when there’s orange inside to make it feel different. And lastly, you could also add other types of fruit. Like strawberries, apples, watermelon and bananas.
Can You Give Your German Shepherd Orange Juice?
You shouldn’t give your german shepherd orange juice to drink. The main reason is that most orange juice, even the natural kind, is high in sugars as it’s normally concentrated.
This means not only will your german shepherd be getting WAY too much sugar from it, but they’ll also be getting a lot of vitamin C as well.
Can German Shepherds Eat Orange Peels?
You should also avoid giving your german shepherd orange peels as well. While they’re not poisonous, they are extremely hard to digest.
The fact that they’re so hard to digest can cause blockages in your german shepherd’s digestive system. While this is less likely in adult german shepherds, it’s going to be much more common in puppies or senior dogs.
How Often Should You Feed Your German Shepherd Oranges?
You should only feed your german shepherd 1 or 2 segments of orange a day. And make sure you’re not feeding them segments every day of the week.
As a good rule of thumb, 10% of your german shepherd’s diets can be treats, while the other 90% should of their diet should be for nutrition.
If you follow this rule you’re going to keep your german shepherd in good health, while also keeping them happy.
How Can You Tell When You’ve Given Your German Shepherd Too Many Oranges?
There are a few ways you can tell you’ve given your german shepherd oranges. One of the biggest indicators is if they have diarrhea and flatulence. You may also notice that they end up vomiting.
Over time they’ll also gain weight. Basically, look for any of the negative consequences in oranges and that will be an indicator of when you’ve given them too many.
Interested In Training Your German Shepherd The Right Way?
If you haven’t trained your German Shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
The training program I love and highly recommend is Brain Training For Dogs.
With Brain Training For Dogs you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases it’s still going to be:
- Cheaper than hiring a professional.
- Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
- And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your German Shepherd completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior, or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here, to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
Recap
Now you know german shepherds can eat oranges, and in moderation, they make a great treat for your pup! However, that’s only a small percentage of the important information on this page.
Here are some more of the main things you need to remember:
- Oranges are good for german shepherds because they contain vitamin C, thiamine, folate and potassium.
- Too many oranges can lead to weight gain, diabetes, stomach problems, and allergic reactions.
- When you first give your german shepherd an orange you should only give him one or two segments. Afterward, check for any adverse reactions. If you think he’s having an allergic reaction, take him to the vets straight away.
- You can give your german shepherd oranges in a number of different ways. Including adding them to their dinner, freezing them, blending them, and adding them to puzzle toys.
- You should avoid giving your german shepherd orange juice and orange peels.
- Only give your german shepherd 1-2 orange segments a day. And if you notice that they’re getting an upset tummy from eating oranges, then give them another treat instead.
If you liked this article make sure you check out the rest of the website. Otherwise, have a great day.
