Can Dogs Eat Tangerines? 4 Tips for Feeding Dogs Tangerines

Yes, tangerines—in small portions—are a safe treat for dogs. Tangerines offer mild health benefits for dogs when eaten in moderation. They contain antioxidants, potassium, hydrating electrolytes, flavonoids, folate, and vitamin C. Though dogs can synthesize vitamin C on their own, tangerines can boost a dog’s immune system and help dogs with vitamin C deficiency.

Other citrus fruits that can be good treats for dogs include oranges, mandarin oranges, and clementines since their high quantity of natural sugar makes them sweet and appetizing. Your dog may be less interested in low-sugar citrus fruits like limes, lemons, and grapefruits since their high ratio of citric acid makes them taste especially tart. Avoid giving your dog orange juice or other citrus juices since these can have dangerous additives and a high sugar content.

While tangerines and other citrus are healthy, sweet treats for dogs in small amounts, citrus fruits have higher amounts of sugar and fiber than typical dog food. Too much citrus in a short amount of time can cause an upset stomach and, over time, can lead to health problems, including obesity or blood sugar issues.

Before you offer a tangerine to your dog, here are a few tips:

1. 1. Consider your dog’s health condition. While tangerines can be a fun, healthy treat for many dogs, they’re not a good choice for diabetic dogs or dogs with a sensitive stomach or digestive system, weight problems, or other health issues. Consider your dog’s health before offering them tangerines.
2. 2. Make pieces bite-size. Tangerines, oranges, and other citrus fruits can pose choking hazards for dogs, so slice the tangerine into smaller, bite-size pieces. This reduces choking risks and extends treat time by slowing down how quickly your dog finishes the pieces. If your dog swallows a large piece of fruit (or any food), monitor them closely. If they seem in pain, they may have a blockage that needs vet attention.
3. 3. Pay attention to portions. The key to feeding your dog any treat is to control the portion size—too much of any treat (especially high-sugar treats like tangerines) can cause digestive issues or weight gain. In general, opt for no more than two pieces of tangerine per day for larger dog breeds and no more than half a piece per day for smaller dog breeds. Treats should make up no more than ten percent of your dog’s daily calorie intake and aim to diversify treats instead of giving your dog large amounts of citrus fruits.
4. 4. Remove the peel, pith, and seeds. The peel, pith (or white fibrous lining between the peel and the flesh), and citrus seeds are hard for dogs to digest and can contain traces of toxic substances and essential oils. Never offer these parts of a tangerine to your dog; they can cause digestive problems and stomach upset. If your dog eats a tangerine rind, don’t panic—in most cases, the dog may feel sick and experience an upset stomach for a brief period without further complications. However, consult a veterinarian if your dog displays symptoms or side effects for more than two days.

To add tangerines to your dog’s diet as a healthy treat, follow these steps to prepare the fruit:

1. 1. Prep the fruit. Tangerine flesh is the only part of the fruit that’s suitable for dogs, so remove the peel, pith, and seeds until you have a few segments of clean, toxin-free citrus.
2. 2. Select a healthy portion size. Tangerines are healthy only in small quantities. Aim for no more than two segments each day for larger dog breeds and no more than half a segment per day for smaller dog breeds.
3. 3. Slice the segment into smaller pieces. Slice your dog’s portion size into small pieces to avoid a choking hazard.
4. 4. Offer the fruit alone first. The first time you offer your dog a tangerine, offer it in isolation first, rather than mixed into their food. That way, you can find out if your dog likes tangerines first. Similarly, avoid offering a tangerine in conjunction with another new treat. Offering treats in isolation also allows you to be sure your dog reacts well to the new food.
5. 5. Offer them in different ways. Once you determine that your dog likes tangerines (and doesn’t get sick), get creative with how you offer them. Mix tangerines into their food, prepare them frozen in special dog-safe popsicles, or place them inside their favorite treat-dispensing toy.

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

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