can dogs eat orange chicken?

Can Dogs Eat Orange Chicken? Is Orange Chicken Healthy?

Can Dogs Eat Orange Chicken? Is Orange Chicken Healthy?

Dog owners love to give their dogs food that is made for humans but not for dogs. In comparison to humans, dogs have a different metabolism. That is why, before introducing any new food to dogs, you must be aware of all of their potential adverse effects and health benefits, as well as whether or not a particular food is suitable for your dog.

Orange chicken is a crowd favorite when dining at a Chinese restaurant or ordering takeout. It is sweet, tangy, spicy, and is a sure hit with even the pickiest eater. Your dog probably isn't too picky and will likely be begging for a piece of orange chicken. So, can dogs eat orange chicken? Is orange chicken safe for dogs to eat?

In short, no, dogs should not eat orange chicken. The sauce used contains salt, spices, sugar, soy sauce, as well as garlic - garlic is toxic to dogs and should never be given to them, even in small amounts. We'll cover the ingredients used in orange chicken, how they affect your dog, and what to do if your dog eats some orange chicken.

bowl of orange chicken with rice

What Ingredients Are Used In Orange Chicken?

Most Asian restaurants serve orange chicken. It consists of bite-sized chicken pieces that have been battered and fried until crispy. After the battered chicken has been fried, it is coated in a sweet and sticky orange and chili sauce, which is how this dish acquired its name.

The following are the main ingredients used to prepare Orange Chicken:
  • Chicken
  • Black Pepper
  • Egg
  • Oil
  • Sugar
  • Distilled White Vinegar
  • Salt
  • Flour
  • Cornstarch
  • Soy Sauce
  • Orange Juice
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Chili Flakes

Orange chicken is a delicious dish for people, but all of these ingredients are likely to upset your dogs stomach. Due to the high sugar and salt content, orange chicken provides little nutritional value to dogs besides the protein content. Furthermore, most recipes for orange chicken contain garlic - garlic is highly toxic to dogs and should never be given to them, even in small amounts.

dog begging for a bite of orange chicken to eat

Why Is Orange Chicken Bad For Dogs?

Orange chicken is bad for dogs to eat for a number of reasons. Salt content, Toxic ingredients, and poor nutritional content are all factors.

Potential Pancreatitis

Orange chicken is most commonly made with dark chicken meat. Most veterinarians advise against feeding your dog dark chicken meat because of its high fat content. Giving your dog rich, fatty food might cause your dog's pancreas to swell, leading to pancreatitis.

Sodium Poisoning

Orange Chicken includes a significant amount of sodium. The majority of Orange Chicken dishes contain more than 600mg of salt. While this may not seem like a lot of salt to us, it is a lot of salt to our beloved canine companions.

Your dog should get their daily salt from a well-balanced and healthy diet. Any salt consumed in addition to their main meal, such as snacks or desserts, will add to their salt intake limit.

Diabetes

Sugar is abundant in orange chicken, and excessive sugar consumption can cause a variety of health problems in dogs, including diabetes, upset stomach, dental problems, and weight gain.

Digestive Issues

The spices and ingredients used in making orange chicken most likely will not agree with your dogs stomach. Upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea are all likely outcomes if your dog eats any orange chicken.

plate of orange chicken

What Should I Do If My Dog Eats Orange Chicken?

If your dog does manage to snag a piece of orange chicken from your dinner he will most likely be fine. Make sure there's enough clean, fresh water available for your dog to drink whenever he gets thirsty. Feed your dog a bland diet of rice and cooked lean meat the next day if you want to be extra cautious.

Be sure to monitor your furry friend on the following hours to make sure he is not experience any signs of sodium poisoning or toxicity. You'll want to keep an eye out for indicators of salt poisoning and pancreatitis in particular. Take your dog to the vet right away if he starts to vomit, becomes lethargic, or experience stomach pain.

Review: Can Dogs Eat Orange Chicken?

Due to toxic ingredients and poor nutritional benefits, dogs should not be given orange chicken. The high fat and sugar content contribute to this, as both are harmful to a dog even in small amounts. Excess fat and sugar consumption can cause immediate concerns like pancreatitis, as well as long-term problems like obesity and diabetes.

Garlic used in orange chicken sauce is toxic to dogs. Avoid giving your dog orange chicken. If your dog does eat a bit of orange chicken from your plate while you weren't paying attention, monitor your dog for signs and symptoms of distress. If you notice anything, call your veterinarian for further instruction.

There's nothing wrong with giving your dog a treat now and again, but the best way to ensure that it lives a long, healthy, and happy life is to feed it the food it was designed to consume.

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