Last updated on March 21st, 2023 at 04:48 am

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Can Dogs Have Orange Chicken?

Orange chicken tastes delicious. Probably your dog also craves for it and licks your plate to have some, but allowing your furry baby to eat without getting ‘Can dogs have orange chicken?’ is not a good idea. You should know whether dogs can eat orange chicken or not.

Quick Answer

Dogs should avoid orange chicken as it is full of fats and oil. Other ingredients such as sugar, salt, spices, red chili, cornflour, and cornstarch make it unhealthy for dogs. Above all, orange chicken has a good amount of orange juice in the form of syrup or sauces that is extremely damaging for your pup.

So, if your dog insists on eating orange chicken, be sure to get this complete guide with all risks and benefits of orange chicken. You will get to know about each ingredient and things you should do in case of any complications. Let’s dive in!

Can Dogs Have Orange Chicken?

Orange chicken is not a healthy addition to your dog’s diet plan and may prove to be challenging in many ways. As the name indicates, orange chicken is a delicious Chinese chicken recipe with orange as the main ingredient. Orange is added in orange sauce, and you know it is rich in citric acid. Remember, this citric acid is extremely bad for your furry baby and upsets his stomach.

• Similarly, the most prominent reason to avoid excess intake of orange chicken is skinless chicken thighs or dark meat. Dark meat contains much more fat than the breast. You will be amazed to know that the same amount of dark meat will have 3 times the level of fats than breast meat.

• The extensive frying or baking with seasonings not only makes the orange chicken full of oil but also makes it hard for your pup to digest it. Even the small amounts of orange chicken can cause your dog to experience digestive problems such as diarrhea or vomiting.

So, in addition to orange as the main ingredient, there are other components too that add to the orange chicken taste but are harmful to your dog.

Orange Chicken Ingredients – Harmful for Dogs

Orange sauce – Orange juice, soya sauce, vinegar, ginger, garlic

Sugar

Salt

Oil

Spices

Cornstarch and Flour

Red Chili Flakes

Is Orange Chicken Good for Dogs?

Orange chicken is bad for dogs if taken in a large amount. This is because of the sauce and overall chicken recipe’s harmful ingredients. These include:

• Sugar and salt come first, and dogs should always avoid sweet and salty dishes.

• Orange chicken is cooked in oil and has too much fat that is extremely bad for your pup’s health. If taken in large amounts, your pup may have serious health complications.

• Spices used in orange chicken have a quite intense flavor and really affect your dog’s digestive system. Although humans can easily process spicy food, dogs’ digestive systems are sensitive and cannot process the food.

• Onion and garlic are also present in orange chicken, but remember that these things can make your furry baby really sick. These ingredients are highly toxic to dogs because they can damage red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. If the orange chicken contains good amounts of garlic and onion and your dog consumes it, he could develop anemia.

• Red chili can make your dog thirsty and cause stomach problems, including pain, gas, and diarrhea.

• Cornstarch and flour are used in orange chicken to thicken the batter and are coated on the pieces for crunch. Although there is no fat-related problem with it, they are entirely carbohydrates, which results in fat storage and weight gain when eaten in large amounts.

Can Dogs Eat Orange Chicken – Risks and Problems

Here are some common risks factors associated with feeding your dog orange chicken:

Sugar Side Effects

Orange chicken has both white and brown sugar that makes it delicious, but your little furry baby cannot handle this sweetness. Sugar directly affects his weight that gradually increases to lead to problems like metabolic changes, heart diseases, obesity, and diabetes. Dogs with diabetes have problems processing sugar, resulting in high blood sugar and causing long-term health problems.

Similarly, if you are constantly giving your dog orange chicken, the increased weight ends up stressing his joints. He may become prone to conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, and other bone-related issues.

When it comes to sugar intake in dogs, you cannot forget dental decay that makes cavities. The dogs eating too much sugar are prone to dental diseases and have removed shiny enamel coating.

Salt Poisoning

Salt is not good for dogs, but orange chicken has a great deal of salt. In addition to table salt itself, soy sauce contains a high sodium concentration, and both affect dogs in salt poisoning. While you should know that dogs must not consume more than 1.5 grams of salt per pound of their body weight, pups are more vulnerable to such unhealthy foods.

The signs of salt poisoning include:

• Confusion
• Extreme thirst and urination
• Lack of appetite
• Convulsions
• Lethargy
• Dehydration
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Loss of balance
• Seizures

Typically, slat poisoning requires immediate treatment, but it may vary depending on how much salt has consumed. If your pup has taken a few pieces, allow your dog to have fresh water and take him to the vet.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a severe condition of the swollen pancreas that is mostly triggered by fatty meals, and orange chicken has a considerably high amount of fats. If your dog is fond of orange chicken, remember, he may get extremely sick with pancreatitis.

The most common symptoms of pancreatitis include:

• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain

Increased Cholesterol 

High cholesterol level is quite dangerous that leads to cardiovascular diseases. This issue is also linked to orange chicken’s fatty content and fat build-up in your dog’s veins. As a result, the blood becomes viscous and cannot circulate properly, proving to be fatal due to heart-related issues.

What are the Health Benefits of Orange Chicken for Dogs?

As orange chicken is a meaty dish, your dog can get all benefits of chicken if taken in moderation. Instead of dark meat, use leaner chicken breast because there is be comparatively less fat. There is also no choking risk with chicken breast.

Chicken is lean meat and helps your dog to build lean muscles. Muscles break down as your dog is active or ages and needs to be replaced.

It is the best source of energy for your dog. If your dog is energy deficient, you can add chicken to his diet plan. Similarly, chicken is a source of high-quality protein and helps to improve a dog’s digestive system. Above all, chicken provides omega 6 fatty acids that help your dog shine and make his coat shiny.

FAQ’s

Can Dogs Eat Chinese Chicken?

Avoid feeding your dog Chinese chicken as it is rich in sauces, salts, flavors, and spices. Your doggie’s body stomach needs gentle food or dog-made food that is digestible and light to the body. On the contrary, dogs have a hard time digesting Chinese chicken, and they may face conditions like nausea, vomiting, or even drooling, depending on the amount of chicken consumed.  

Can Puppies Eat Orange Chicken?

You should not allow your pups to have orange chicken as it may turn into a bad feeding habit, and they grow with it. In addition to long-term health complications, puppies can show digestive issues with sick tummies and stomach ailments because their bodies are quite sensitive. The combination of spices, salt, and other unhealthy ingredients causes diarrhea, nausea, and other diseases.  

My Dog Ate Orange Chicken – What Should I do?

If your dog has eaten orange chicken, first try to determine how much he has consumed. If these are just one to two pieces, there is nothing to worry about. Give him fresh water and keep him under observation to check the above-mentioned conditions like vomiting, nausea, etc.  

But if he gets a chance to eat orange chicken with a full appetite, don’t ignore it and contact your vet. Similarly, give him water, keep him under observation, and you can give bland rice with boiled lean chicken the very next day.  

Conclusion – Can Dogs Have Orange Chicken?  

There is doubt in the taste of orange chicken but remember it is not for dogs. Your dog can face temporary digestive problems like vomiting, nausea, diarrhea or may face long term-term consequences such as dental cavities, weight gain, diabetes, pancreatitis, and even heart diseases. So, don’t allow your pup to have orange chicken and give him healthy food.