Mandarins are one of the most popular fruits out there. That is because they contain a lot of nutrients that are very healthy for us.
But our bodies work significantly differently than our furry pets. So no matter how much we love them and consider them as family, that does not mean that everything we eat, they must eat.
Some foods are good for us but are bad for them. Their bodies intake nutrients differently from us.
And when it comes to fruits, there are some no-nos for them. But are mandarins a part of those prohibited fruits for them like grapefruits?
So a question a lot of us dog lovers have is, “Can dogs eat mandarins?” In this article we will tell you whether mandarins are safe for dogs. We will tell you if this food has healthy benefits or if it has harmful effects to our dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Mandarins?
The short answer is yes. Dogs can absolutely eat mandarin. Mandarin is an okay food for dogs.
Even though there are many types of fruits that are not good for dogs such as grapes, apricots, and avocados, mandarin is not one of them.
Mandarin is a good food for our furry pooches. It contains a number of benefits for dogs.
Health Benefits of Mandarins For Your Dog
Mandarin is rich in certain minerals and vitamins. It is rich in Vitamin C, Fiber, Folate, Choline and Potassium.
To start with, mandarins are rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C is great for strengthening a dog’s immune system as well as their bones.
Mandarin also contains a good amount of potassium. Potassium can keep your dog’s bones strong and healthy. This makes mandarin a good food for older dogs.
Mandarin is a great source of fiber. Fiber helps in solving a dog’s digestive problems. Foods rich in fiber such as mandarin can help against bowel movement problems.
Both folate and choline are great for dogs. They are essential vitamins that help in preventing things such as fatty liver.
Precautions To Take When It Comes To Dogs and Mandarins
However, while they offer some health benefits, some precautions are necessary with them and your dog. To begin with, You must never feed your dog the peel of mandarin.
Peels of mandarin may contain harmful bacteria and are hard to digest. Feeding them the peel can cause obstruction in the stomach.
But not all dogs can eat mandarin either. Overweight dogs or diabetic dogs should avoid consuming this fruit.
More About Mandarins and Dogs
Mandarin contains high levels of natural sugar. Although natural sugar is not all that bad, it can impact the blood sugar levels of your pooch, especially if he/she is diabetic.
Mandarins and other citrus fruits like lemon and lime are also a little bit acidic. This can cause an upset stomach to your dog.
To avoid problems, it is best to feed your dogs 1 to 2 parts of mandarin per day at most.
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs
This article is part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?”
In our next articles, we talk legumes. Specifically lentils. Find out Can Dogs Eat Lentils here.
