All humans have a longing for something sweet. It doesn’t matter what the doctor has said; no one ever said, I love the bitter taste; That’s too much of an exaggeration. However, some sweet things will harm your body system in the long run; we know you already know that.
Animals and pets long for sweet things, too, be it food, fruits, or things like that. Have you ever wondered if you can give your dogs sweet things like tangerine fruit? Can dogs eat tangerines?
It is a healthy concern because, as much as this fruit may be packed with so many health benefits and energy boosters, they may as well damage your dog’s health.
The sole reason why many dog owners try to introduce new meals to their pets is to ensure their continued energy boosts and good health.
However, this sincere move to introduce new meals to their pets has sent these pooches to an untimely death and severe sickness. Therefore, these questions of what dogs can and cannot eat must be asked more often to find good and helpful results.
This article, by way of a guide, will introduce tangerines, discuss their effect on your dog’s health and, most importantly, answer the question; can dogs eat tangerines?
Let’s find out.
What Are Tangerines?
Tangerine species in the Rutaceae family include a small form of thin-skinned orange known as the mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata). Mandarin culture originated in Southeast Asia and travelled westward through trade routes to the Mediterranean.
The fruit is cultivated both in the Old and in the subtropical regions of the New World, mainly in southern Europe and the southern United States.
The flesh is soft, juicy, and flavorful with lots of vitamin C. Many flavourings and liqueurs use the oil obtained from the fragrant tangerine peel as a prominent ingredient.
Mandarins are smaller and less rounded than oranges. The taste is considered to be sweeter and stronger than oranges.
The texture of a ripe tangerine is firm to slightly soft, with pebbly skin without deep grooves and also orange in colour. The skin is thin, with a small bitter white mesocarp. All these characteristics are shared by Mandarins in general.
A peak tangerine season lasts from autumn to spring. Most mandarins are peeled and eaten by hand. The bark is used fresh or dried as a spice or rind for baking and beverages.
Tangerine and frozen juice concentrate are commonly available in the United States. Although the tangerine typically has a slightly tart, sour taste, numerous sweet varieties have been developed.
They include the following:
- The Honey tangerine, which is one of the most popular varieties of fruit.
- Fairchild tangerines are hybrids developed for their sweetness and rich flavour
- Sunburst tangerines are sweet and almost completely seedless.
How To Use Tangerines?
Tangerines are a juicy fruit with huge health benefits. They can be used as
- Raw fruit
- Juice
- Essential oil
- The peel is edible
- Tangerine sauce
Tangerines can be combined with chocolate and walnuts to refresh summer cakes. They are delicious and can be eaten as a dessert on a sultry summer afternoon.
Mandarins can also be wrapped or dipped in melted chocolate to make a sweet snack for children.
Tangerines also go very well with caramels, marshmallows, and other sweet ingredients. For a juicy and refreshing taste, meat products such as seasoned ham can be marinated with tangerine sauce.
Nutritional Value Of Tangerines
Despite their small size compared to other citruses, such as grapefruits and oranges, tangerines are rich in nutrients and water. They contain about 85% water.
Below is the nutritional value of 1 medium (88 grams) tangerine:
- Calories: 47
- Carbs: 12 grams
- Fibre: 2 grams
- Protein: 0.7g
- Fat: 0 grams
- Vitamin C: 26% Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin A: 3% DV
- Potassium: 3% DV
Tangerines are excellent sources of vitamin C, the nutrient that is probably behind most of the health benefits of tangerines.
Tangerines also have beta-cryptoxanthin. This antioxidant converts to vitamin A in the body and is responsible for the orange colour of tangerines and other fruits.
In addition, tangerines provide potassium and B complex vitamins, namely B1, B6, and B9, or thiamin, pyridoxine, and folate.
The nutritional value of tangerines provides help in the following ways.
A High Content Of Antioxidants
Antioxidants protect your body by neutralizing the harmful effects of oxidative stress caused by the build-up of free radicals. These harmful molecules are involved in developing heart disease, arthritis, and cancer.
Mandarins, including their peels, are a rich source of vitamin C and beta-cryptoxanthin, which are antioxidants and flavonoids such as naringin, hesperidin, and nobiletin.
The antioxidant capacity of vitamin C is known to help the skin and heart health and also has cancer-fighting properties.
Research has linked flavonoids to numerous health benefits, including reduced chronic diseases and brain-protective effects.
Immunity Boosters
The vitamin C in tangerines protects the body’s immune system from viruses by acting on T cells. T cells are a type of white blood cell (WBC) that protects your body.
Research shows that the vitamin affects the development and function of T cells and blocks the pathways that lead to their death. Therefore, the vitamin helps maintain a healthy level of these cells to fight infections.
In addition, vitamin C boosts phagocytes, immune cells that eat bacteria and other harmful compounds and kills skills microbes, boosting your immune response.
Support Brain Health
The vitamin C and nobiletin in tangerines aid against chronic brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
For example, research has linked increased free radicals to the development of schizophrenia.
Nobiletin protects brain cells from the accumulation of beta-amyloid and the toxicity associated with the onset of the disease.
Regarding the effects of tangerines on Parkinson’s disease, their nobiletin content appears to improve motor disorders by protecting dopamine-producing cells in the brain. Damage to these cells leads to disease progression.
Skin Appearance
Adding tangerines to diets can promote smooth and clear skin due to vitamin C’s effect.
Collagen is recognized as the most abundant protein in the body. It helps and gives good body structure, strength, and stability to connective tissues, including the skin.
As one age, the amount of collagen decreases. However, vitamin C synthesizes collagen, thereby improving wound-healing processes and reducing signs of ageing.
Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties can reduce the signs of ageing by slowing skin damage caused by free radicals.
Weight Loss
Mandarin oranges can help with weight loss by increasing your daily fibre intake. Citrus fruits, including tangerines, provide insoluble fibre, which doesn’t ferment in the gut, such as cellulose and lignin.
By delaying the transit of food through the digestive system, this type of fibre improves feelings of fullness. This subsequently controls Your hunger, which may aid in weight loss.
Additionally, studies demonstrate that those with higher fibre intakes are better able to maintain or avoid weight gain than individuals with lower fibre intakes.
Additionally, a test-tube investigation discovered that nobiletin greatly boosted the activity of activated protein kinase (AMPK) and prevented fat from accumulating in fat cells. A protein called AMPK controls cellular energy balance, which can prevent the growth of new fat cells.
Heart Health
Tangerine antioxidants like vitamin C and nobiletin may be beneficial for heart health.
Research shows that vitamin C reduces the risk of heart diseases and failures by lowering blood pressure, platelet multiplication, blood vessel function, blood triglycerides, and LDL (bad) cholesterol.
According to test-tube research, the risk of atherosclerosis, the narrowing of the arteries brought on by plaque development, may be decreased by nobiletin. It might possess anti-cancer qualities.
Antioxidants in tangerines may confer cancer-fighting properties.
- Vitamin C can prevent tumour growth and spread,
- Promote wound healing after surgery,
- Increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
Research has found that people with cancer tend to be deficient in vitamin C and that vitamin C supplementation can improve outcomes in people with terminal cancer. However, human research is still inconclusive.
The flavonoids in citruses can reduce the risk of certain cancers, including stomach, breast, colon, and lung cancer.
To be clear, adding tangerines to your diet is not the same as using large dosages of the vitamins or other substances contained in tangerines that were employed in most research. Therefore, more research is still required.
Read Also: Can Dogs Eat Banana Peppers? Find Out
Easy To Add To Your Diet
Although tangerines are less popular than other citrus fruits, they are very versatile. Here are some ideas to help you add tangerines to your diet:
- Peel and cut their parts in half and add them to salads.
- Grate the peels, then stir them into sauces, beverages, or cocktails.
- Get their juice, which is high in antioxidants, by pressing them.
- Prepare a fresh tangerine salsa to serve with chicken or fish.
- Make chia pudding or yoghurt with them for a wholesome breakfast or snack.
- Tangerines that are whole and uncooked don’t need to be refrigerated. If you choose to peel them beforehand, keep in mind to put the chilled, peeled tangerines in a container.
Can Dogs Eat Tangerines?
Not only are tangerines non-toxic, but they join many other fruits, vegetables, and human foods that are generally safe and good for dogs.
Mandarins, like oranges, are high in nutrients that are good for dogs. This includes vitamin C, folate, potassium, and beta-carotene (also big in carrots).
One study suggested that giving dogs tangerines in small amounts would not harm them and provide some valuable nutrients. Additionally, tangerines are, of course, sweet, so your dog might enjoy them.
The motor is always that any fruit or vegetable treat added to a dog’s diet should be added in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Giving dogs sugary or salty high-calorie treats too often can significantly increase their daily calories and help them put on pounds that are hard on joints, organs, and lifestyle.
Mandarin oranges contain a lot of sugar, so regularly limit what you put to a few sections.
That’s why, yes. Dogs can eat tangerines. But you have to be careful with them. “Many of the same considerations that apply to oranges also apply to feeding tangerines to dogs.
Dogs either love or loathe citrus, so you’ll have to try it and see. But dogs who love oranges, as well as their related fruits, will love tangerines.
Benefits Of Tangerines For Dogs
Fruits like tangerines are regarded as being suitable for canines to eat. They are not only risk-free, but they also include certain nutritional benefits for the well-being of your dog.
Tangerines, like oranges, are rich in several nutrients that are healthy for your dog. Tangerines include several vitamins, including:
Beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene is the pigment that gives some fruits and vegetables their colour and is found in tangerines. It is a precursor to vitamin A, which helps maintain or improve vision.
This is one of the reasons why beta-carotene is an important nutrient for keeping your dog healthy.
Foods rich in beta-carotene, such as tangerines, can help improve your dog’s vision – especially in low light. Not only is it good for eyesight, but it’s also an antioxidant that can help keep your immune system healthy and prevent disease and infection.
It can also help keep your dog’s coat shiny, nourish his skin and promote strong bones.
Vitamin C
Antioxidants help reduce the amount of harmful free radicals in your dog’s body. They can also help reduce inflammation and help keep your dog healthier as it ages. Vitamin C is found in many fruits containing important nutrients for humans and dogs.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant and supports your dog’s immune system while providing plenty of energy for running and playing.
Some studies show that vitamin C can relieve dogs suffering from inflammatory conditions.
Folate
Folate is another vital nutrient your dog can get from eating tangerines. This water-soluble B vitamin occurs naturally in certain foods, such as tangerines.
Folate has several different roles in the body, including helping to make blood cells in the bone marrow, making nucleic acids like DNA, and making new proteins.
Folate plays a key role in maintaining the proper function of the immune system, aiding in cell division, and maintaining normal blood formation.
Potassium
Another nutrient that can be found in tangerines is potassium. Usually, when people think of good sources of potassium, bananas come to mind. While bananas are one of the best sources of potassium, they can also be found in tangerines.
It is an electrolyte essential to the health of both humans and dogs. Potassium helps nerves, muscles, and the heart function properly by allowing electrical charges to function as they should.
Difference Between Tangerines And Oranges
Size is the primary distinction between oranges and tangerines. Depending on the kind, oranges come in a variety of sizes and somewhat varying forms. But generally speaking, oranges reach a larger size than tangerines.
Tangerines, sometimes called “baby oranges,” are smaller, slightly flatter, and generally less rounded, making them the ideal snack for a pocket.
When mature, tangerines are also gentler to the touch than oranges, which are often weighty and solid.
Depending on the kind, oranges, and tangerines can have a lot of seeds or none at all. For instance, Valencia oranges include seeds, but navel oranges don’t.
The colours of oranges and tangerines can also vary. Except for the blood orange, which has a strong crimson colour, oranges are normally more yellow-orange in colour. Although tangerines are coloured similarly to most orange varieties, they are typically more red-orange.
Risks Of Tangerines For Dogs
Tangerines are rich in natural sugar, which means too much can cause gastrointestinal problems to your dog, ranging from vomiting to diarrhoea.
Citric acid can upset the digestive system of some dogs and cause nausea and diarrhoea; in puppies, it can cause serious dehydration.
Unlike humans, dogs have a much shorter digestive tract, so high-fibre foods like tangerines can move through their system so quickly that the nutrients aren’t properly absorbed, resulting in little or no benefit from providing them.
You should also peel the tangerine before giving it to your pup and remove the seeds while you’re at it to avoid a choking hazard. In short, only tangerine pulp can be safely fed to dogs.
The rind can cause obstruction and contains large amounts of citrus oils that can irritate and disturb the digestive tract. Kernels and seeds can pose an additional obstruction and choking hazard.
Dogs should only be offered a few bites, as eating too much tangerine can cause an upset stomach causing symptoms such as:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
If any of these symptoms occur after eating any part of a tangerine, consult your veterinarian.
When Is Tangerine Bad For My Dog
Most healthy dogs of all ages and sizes can eat small portions of tangerine flesh without adverse side effects.
However, tangerines contain a high amount of natural sugar, which can increase the sugar level in the body and thus affect their health.
If your dog has one of the following problems, do not feed him tangerines. It’s also worth checking with your regular vet if there’s any reason your dog can’t eat tangerines, especially if they’re old or have other medical conditions.
- Diabetes
- Gastrointestinal/digestive problems
- Allergy
Precautions When Feeding Tangerines To Dogs
It’s important to research any fruit you want to feed your dog. You don’t want the treatment to cause your dog’s diet to become unbalanced.
Also, identifying fruits that are safe for dogs is not rocket science. With a little reading, you can be sure of what your dog can and cannot eat.
In taking precautions when feeding tangerines to your dog,
- First, wash the outside of the tangerines.
- Then remove the peel and white pith.
- This skin contains compounds such as essential oils that are dangerous to your dog’s health.
Taking the time to peel a tangerine can help you avoid cleaning up diarrhoea or vomiting later. Mandarin oranges are naturally seedless, so seeds are not a problem.
Some dogs have more responsive body systems than others. When you introduce acidic foods like tangerines, it can cause things like diarrhoea and vomiting.
If this happens, you know your dog can’t eat tangerines. Feel free to take it away. The best way to monitor your dog is to feed a small portion of a tangerine.
Carefully watch out for any adverse reaction. No change means your dog can freely eat tangerines as a treat.
While dogs can mostly eat tangerines safely, it is important to watch your dog the first time they eat tangerines.
While tangerines is digestible in most dogs, it has been known to cause stomach upset in some dogs.
They have been known to vomit or have an upset stomach after ingesting tangerines. It may be best to stop feeding tangerines to your dog if your pet vomits them.
Even if your dog does not have diabetes, eating too many tangerines could increase your dog’s risk of type 2 diabetes as well as obesity.
Some dogs also do not like the sour taste of tangerines. Too much fibre in a dog’s diet can cause your dog to have loose and watery stools.
Read also: Can Dogs Eat Lamb Bones?
How To Feed Tangerines To Dogs
There are a few things you should think about before giving tangerines to your dog as a treat to be sure you’re doing it safely. Before peeling the tangerine, wash the outside to get rid of any dirt or pesticides that might be present.
Make sure to eliminate as much white pith as possible when peeling a tangerine. Certain substances found in the pith, including essential oils, might be hazardous to your dog when taken in high quantities.
You may lessen the risk that your dog will get an upset stomach by removing the majority of the pith.
You shouldn’t be concerned about checking the tangerines for seeds before feeding them to your dog because they are seedless fruit. You can feed your dog small amounts of food at a time, but moderation is the key in all situations.
Portion Size
Tangerines contain sugar because they are a very sweet fruit. They can cause your dog to become overweight or experience other health issues if consumed in excess over time.
The dog should only need a few slices at a time to avoid absorbing too much fruit sugar. They should be given to your dog as treats to augment the nutritious diet that should already be giving him all the nutrients he needs each day.
Remember that not all dogs are created equal; hence, while some dogs may appreciate tangerines as a reward, others may respond negatively to them.
Dogs can eat tangerines without harm, although some dogs may have delicate digestive systems and react poorly to them. As a result, while giving tangerines to your dog for the first time, start slowly and see how he responds.
Sensitivity
Your dog can throw up or have diarrhoea if tangerines make him sensitive. In this situation, you should cease providing your dog tangerines and monitor his health.
After the initial meal, if your puppy doesn’t respond to a small slice of tangerine, you can periodically offer him a few extra as a treat.
Do not give tangerines to your dog if he has a medical issue like diabetes. The sugar content in tangerines can cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate or result in further weight gain.
It is recommended to consider giving your dog an alternative reward that is lower in calories and sugar in these circumstances.
Even if your dog doesn’t have these illnesses, it’s best to limit the number of calories they consume daily, even for treats like tangerines.
A dog’s diet, for instance, shouldn’t account for more than 10% of its daily calorie requirements. Your dog should get all the remaining calories from his usual dog food, which should be rich in protein and other essential elements.
That being said;
- When giving your dog tangerine, use moderation and careful preparation. Fortunately, this fruit is quite easy to prepare.
- Tangerines should always have the skin removed before eating. Citrus fruit skins frequently contain high oils that irritate a dog’s stomach.
- It’s not a smart idea to give your dog a full tangerine. Your dog will probably process the peel and be OK even if they eat it. However, depending on the size of your dog, this may change.
- Also, usually, a cause for worry is seeds. Apple and pear seeds, for example, contain cyanide, but even when they don’t have harmful effects, seeds are a choking threat.
FAQ
How Much Tangerine Can A Dog Eat?
Go for no more than two mandarin oranges daily for larger dog breeds and half a piece daily for smaller dog breeds. Treats should not make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake, and aim to diversify the treats instead of giving your dog large amounts of citrus fruits.
Can You Feed Puppies Tangerines?
Yes, puppies can eat tangerines. Dogs can also eat tangerines and clementines. Dogs eat all kinds of oranges, including tangerines.
What Fruit Is Not Safe For Dogs?
Grapes/Raisins: Grapes and raisins are extremely dangerous to dogs and can cause kidney failure. They should not be given to dogs. Cherries: Do not feed your dog cherries, as the pits and stems can cause intestinal blockage.
Can Dogs Eat Oranges?
Yes, according to vets, in very small amounts. Oranges have healthy vitamins and nutrients like potassium and fibre. And low in sodium, making them a healthy snack when eaten in limited amounts: perhaps one or two segments a day.
Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers?
Cucumbers are safe for dogs and offer a low-calorie crunchy snack many dogs love. Pickles contain only about 8 calories per half-cup slice, compared to 40 calories in one medium cookie, and are very low in sodium and fat.
Why Do Dogs Like Tangerines?
This includes vitamin C, folate, potassium, and beta-carotene (also big in carrots). “Giving tangerines to dogs in small amounts will not harm them and will provide some of these valuable nutrients,” says Hinder. Plus, tangerines are, of course, sweet, so your dog might enjoy them.
Can Dogs Eat Corn?
Raw and cooked corn is safe for dogs to eat in small portions, in moderation, and always off the cob. Frozen corn can be a fun, crunchy food stuffing for dogs—just be sure to watch them eat it to ensure they don’t choke.
Can Dogs Eat Pineapple?
Dogs can eat Pineapple. Raw Pineapple is packed with nutrients that benefit you and your canine companion. Frozen pineapple chunks are also a delicious way to beat the heat.
Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?
Dogs can eat tomatoes in moderation, but only ripe ones. Do not offer your dog tomatoes in large quantities or often, and make sure you do not feed them green tomatoes as they contain substances that can be harmful to them.
Can Dogs Drink Milk?
Although rich in beneficial nutrients such as calcium and protein, cow’s milk is not a healthy choice for your puppy at any age. Cow’s milk contains a sugar called lactose, which dogs lack the necessary enzyme for digestion. Therefore, consumption of cow’s milk can cause digestive problems and possibly problems with excretion.
Conclusion
Like other fruits and treats, feeding your dog tangerines should be done with extra precaution. Granted, it is well established that the answer to the question: Can dogs eat tangerines? is yes.
Knowing this, it will be wise to consult with a veterinarian before introducing new meals to your dog. Tangerines, like other citrus fruits, have seeds that can cause digestive problems for your dogs if not properly chewed. Therefore, we implore you to carefully watch your dog when introducing tangerines to them.
Most dog owners do not take this advice as seriously as it should be; you see them giving away food to their dogs, and off they go. Certain meals, however pleasant, can have adverse effects on dogs, including humans. Do not treat feeding your dog lightly unless you want your pup to wind up with complications or, worse, die.
We hope the advice in this article comes in handy for you and your loved ones. That being said, feel free to share it with them. If you have any questions, feel free to use the comment box, we will respond as soon as possible.
