Can Dogs Drink Orange Juice? All You Need to Know
However, just because a drink is good for humans does not mean it’s good for dogs. Orange juice provides sufficient vitamin C to your dog, but it is also high in sugars, fructose, and lots of calories. This is why it is not recommended to give orange juice to dogs. Yet, if your dog takes a sip, don’t panic- it’s not that bad!
Continue reading to learn more about orange juice and how it affects your dog.
Orange Juice Has Many Health Benefits
Orange juice is considered healthy for humans; it is high in vitamin C and helps to strengthen the immune system. The fiber in orange juice helps to improve digestion and gastrointestinal health.
Orange juice may be healthy for humans, but it is not for dogs. Yes, dogs require vitamin C, just like humans, and their bodies make it naturally, which is why it is not necessary for dogs’ health. What dogs need is constant access to fresh, clean water to hydrate themselves.
Further Reading: Can Dogs Eat Oranges? What You Need to Know
Orange Juice For Dogs: There Are Health Concerns
Orange juice is not a healthy addition to your dog’s diet. It can also cause health problems.
- Orange juice is quite acidic: This can cause a variety of problems. Overly acidic foods can cause gastric upset in the short term, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration. Dental problems can also be caused by high-acid foods, such as tooth decay and gum disease.
- Orange juice is high in sugar: A high sugar diet can lead to obesity and poor dental hygiene in dogs.
Artificial Sweeteners In Juice Can Harm Dogs
Manufacturers use artificial sweeteners to maintain the sweetness of juice products without adding too many calories. Xylitol is one of the most popular artificial sweeteners found in commercial juices.
Xylitol in Juice
Xylitol can be very dangerous for dogs. It’s a common ingredient in many products used by humans, such as coffee, tea, and peanut butter. Dogs can inhale xylitol if their owners do not know.
Many dogs love apples and peanut butter. Peanut butter is a favorite treat for dogs and is of particular concern. It is important to read product labels, as low-calorie peanut butter might contain xylitol among its ingredients.
Many fruits and vegetables contain natural xylitol, including apples, carrots, mushrooms and raspberries. However, they have very little xylitol, so dogs need to consume a lot to become ill.
You should immediately call your veterinarian if you suspect your pet may have eaten something containing xylitol.
You can also contact the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals (ASPCA), Animal Poison Control Center, or the Pet Poison Helpline. You can get advice from the staff on what to do and when you should bring your dog to see a specialist. Do not wait until your pet shows signs of toxemia before seeking professional help.
Xylitol poisoning symptoms include:
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Tremors
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Jaundice
- Collapse
- Coma
- Death
Sucralose, erythritol, and stevia are all possible sweeteners to be added to commercial fruit juices. Even though these artificial sweeteners don’t pose any danger to pets, they can cause stomach upsets, such as diarrhea.
“Sugar-Free” vs. “No Sugar Added” Juices: Are they the Same?
Any juice or other product labeled “sugar-free” simply means it doesn’t contain natural or processed sugars. A sugar substitute such as xylitol and aspartame is used instead as a sweetener. These artificial sweeteners have very few calories or none.
However, “no added sugar” means that there has not been any additional sugar added to the product during processing. The product could still contain naturally-occurring sugars such as lactose or fructose.
What to do if Your Dog Has Had Orange Juice
Orange juice is not recommended for dogs; however, it isn’t considered toxic. A full glass of orange juice may cause your dog to experience vomiting or diarrhea. To counter this, your dog must drink more water and replace any liquids lost.
You should monitor your dog to see if his symptoms worsen. Even if he consumes a full glass of juice, he should still be fine. Orange juice is generally not toxic but has no health benefits.
Alternatives to Orange Juice for Dogs
You can give your dog carrots as a healthy sweet treat that contains less sugar than orange juice or other fruit juices. You can also get carrot juice, which is a refreshing and tasty treat for your dog.
Dogs do not require any extra liquids or drinks to rehydrate. If they are sick, they will only need pure water.
You can give Pedialyte to your dog if they are dehydrated or have mild symptoms. It replaces electrolytes and rehydrates your dog. You should contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice these symptoms persist or worsen, even after your dog has been rehydrated with water and Pedialyte. Dehydration can be fatal!
Conclusion
Orange juice is not toxic for dogs. However, orange juice has few health benefits, as your dog can produce vitamin C by itself. This vitamin is not necessary to be added to your dog’s daily diet. Instead, you can give your dog plain water to hydrate them.
Further Reading: