After a long and exhausting day, we often look towards things that comfort us, and one of those things could be food. If you’re into Chinese food, you’re definitely likely to be a fan of the famous Kung Pao Chicken or the fan favorite Orange Chicken.
If you have a dog, you’d already expect your pooch to sit right beside you and drool all over the floor, and they would try their best to use those precious puppy dog eyes just to get a nibble of what you’re having.
We’ve all been there, but is it really a good idea to give your dog Orange Chicken? Can dogs eat orange chicken? The short answer is no, there are a number of reasons your dog and this delicious dish should be miles apart.
This article aims to inform you all about orange chicken and the possible relation with dogs. We will also answer any questions that might come along the way, as well as share facts and figures about orange chicken. So, without further ado, let’s delve right in!
Can Dogs Eat Orange Chicken?
No, dogs can’t eat orange chicken. As there are some ingredients which are not safe for the consumption of dogs and can be toxic and poisonous for the poor little things.
However, if you really insist and can’t resist the wagging tail and the puppy dog eyes, you can feed your dog one or two pieces, but that is all, don’t go overboard and feed them the whole thing, as it could be dangerous for them.
This dish is prepared using dark meat that is battered and is seasoned and flavored using many exotic spices and herbs, such as sugar, soy sauce, salt, and spices. This makes this dish highly anti-canine.
Having too much Orange Chicken cannot be overlooked, as it can lead to possible health related problems and issues that can include obesity, diabetes, pancreatitis, and even salt poisoning.
The main contents of this dish are fat, salt and an alarmingly high level of sugar as well, and all this accounts for an excess number in calories, which renders this dish unsafe and dangerous for dogs. So, the answer to the question is no, this dish is safe for humans, but the same cannot be said for dogs.
What is Orange Chicken?
Orange Chicken is a very popular dish, not just among the locals, but globally as well. This can be readily found in many Asian fast food places, and even on Panda Express and other third party services that deliver food to your doorstep.
This dish consists of a small, bite size cube of dark meat chicken, which has been coated with batter and fried until it is crispy and crunchy until it is dipped and coated in tangy, sticky orange sauce which is a mixture of sweet and chili sauces.
This is what led to the iconic creation of the dish, and it was named after the tangy and orange color, which led to the creation of “Orange Chicken”.
What Are The Ingredients Used In Making Orange Chicken?
This dish uses many different ingredients. The following are the ingredients that are used to make this dish:
Right off the bat, we can see a couple of ingredients that are not safe for dogs to consume. We will go through the detailed analysis of the ingredients, and how they are toxic to dogs, later on in the article.
Is Orange Chicken Bad For Dogs? If so, then why?
The short answer is yes, Orange Chicken is bad for dogs and dog owners should refrain from feeding their dogs this dish, for a number of reasons, let’s look into why this is so bad for dogs.
The chicken that is used in this dish is dark meat chicken, which we mentioned in the ingredients list, and this chicken has been linked to causing health problems in dogs, and the most highlighted damage this chicken causes to dogs is pancreatitis.
There is a vast difference between white chicken meat and dark chicken meat. The latter is more flavorful and decadent, which means it is rich in fats and calories, which isn’t safe for dogs to consume.
Most vets recommend keeping dark meat away from dogs for this very reason. The high concentration of fats can become the reason for your dog developing problems in the pancreas, which will become large due to inflammation, and the eventuality of developing pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis and Dogs
What are the symptoms that my dog has pancreatitis?
This disease is a very slow and painful kind, which eventually kills the dog. There are a few symptoms you can keep an eye out for, and they are as follows:
If you notice any of the signs above, it is best recommended to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible, because as they say, a stitch in time saves nine.
Moreover, Orange Chicken has bones and is not completely boneless chicken, and this is also a problem as it can pose as a possible choking hazard, which in itself is a danger and the added fact that it can cause bowel obstruction in canines. This is also very painful for the dog and can lead to the dog not eating anything at all.
Orange Chicken can contain bones, but since it sounds good that dogs can enjoy the bones, it actually isn’t. Bones that are raw are the ones that are good for the dog, as they can be chewed.
But the cooked ones are bad for dogs, as they become very soft and brittle and can break into small and sharp edges which can form splinters and even pierce through the dogs’ cheek, tongue, lips and even the roof of their mouth.
If the dog tries to swallow the bone, then it will get stuck in the windpipe and the dog will begin to cough violently, and this is also very painful.
If the dog has ingested the cooked bone pieces that are sharp and small, then these shards can even tear the soft tissues that run all along the esophagus, or they can even enter in the windpipe and tear the lining of tissues there.
Ingestion of the small bones can lead to collection in the intestines and the stomach, and this is what causes the intestinal blockage which leads to the eventual bowel obstruction.
This happens when there is a blockage that may be partial or it may even be complete in the intestines or the stomach of the dog. This blockage hinders and stops the passage of the liquids and the solids that are ingested into the gastrointestinal tract.
This blockage is very dangerous and can cause the following problems for the dog:
- The absorption of toxic content
- The reduction in the flow of blood in the entire body
- The leading cause for the deterioration of the bowels
In worst case scenarios, this obstruction can lead to an emergency abdominal surgery or endoscopy, which is very painful for the dog. Which is why it is best that you enjoy this dish alone. And ignore your pooch for their own good.
How to treat Pancreatitis in Dogs?
There are many causes in dogs that lead them to the development of pancreatitis, and these can include many things, such as a diet that is very rich in fats, and this is the primary reason dogs develop this disease.
There are other reasons such as obesity and not exercising or going out enough and even a history of dietary indiscretion.
There are treatments and cures for this disease, and the following are treatments that are commonly used for pancreatitis:
- Fluid therapy is used by injecting Intravenously (IV) in a condition of severe pancreatitis
- There is antiemetic medication to stop vomiting and prevent further dehydration
- There is an intensive monitoring of the dogs’ condition
- The pancreas is rested and the entry of food and water is stopped for 24 hours
- There are long term measures which include the monitoring of the intake of fat by the dog, which leads to the lessening of meals and the frequency of meals as well.
- The dog has its’ lipase and amylase levels monitored regularly
These are the measures that are used by vets in these dangerous conditions.
Is it true that Dark meat Chicken in Orange Chicken leads to pancreatitis in dogs?
Yes, it is very true that the dark meat used in the making of orange chicken can lead to pancreatitis in dogs. That is because dark meat is more flavorful than white chicken, which means it is coated with spices and salts that are not meant to be consumed by dogs.
The high salt content in the orange chicken can also be a huge factor, as it can cause sodium poisoning in dogs. The level of sodium in orange chicken is about 600 mg of sodium, which may not be too much for humans, but putting it in terms for dogs, it is too much.
The tolerance for dogs consuming salt safely is very low, they can only consume about 0.25 grams to 1.5 grams of sodium per 100 grams of food consumed. As we can judge, this level of sodium tolerance is way too low, and orange chicken exceeds it, which makes it dangerous.
The following are symptoms for salt poisoning in dogs, which you should keep an eye out for:
How Much Orange Chicken Is Good For Dogs?
This depends on the amount of salt the dog has consumed in the entire day, and only then you can decide whether or not giving orange chicken as a treat is a good idea or a bad one.
One single serving of orange chicken has 600 mg of salt in it, which converts into 0.6 grams of salt, which is way too much for dogs to be consuming.
Moreover, there is way too much sugar in orange chicken as well, which can lead to the dog developing diabetes as well. Orange sugar is made using a lot of sugar, and this excess sugar consumption is not good news for dog owners.
This can lead to a series of complications and problems, such as weight gain which can lead to obesity and the related problems that come with it, upset stomach, diabetes and even metabolic changes as well.
So, you should be very careful when deciding to give orange chicken to your dog, make sure that you are keeping in check the levels of salt and sugar that enters into the body of the dog, as it could mean a life or death situation for them, if it is left unchecked or unattended.
Can Dogs Eat Orange Chicken While They Are Pregnant?
Orange chicken is not good for dogs overall, and for a lot of reasons as well. It contains way too much sugar, far beyond the limit that dogs are allowed to eat, and simultaneously they contain an insane amount of salt as well, which also is no good for dogs. Coupling these two problems of pancreatitis and diabetes, it is a bad suitor for a dog that is pregnant.
So, no, feeding a pregnant dog orange chicken is not a good idea. The bones in the chicken dish could serve not only as a choking hazard, but as small, and pointy shrapnel that can pierce and tear through the soft tissue which runs along from the mouth to the anus.
This can cause severe bleeding or even death in extreme circumstances, so it is best to keep it away from dogs.
If you insist on feeding your dog orange chicken despite the various and lengthy warnings, you can safely feed them a piece or two, but no more than that, because that can prove highly dangerous.
Like we mentioned above, just a small serving of orange chicken is enough to fulfill the daily requirement of the dog, in terms of sodium, so just imagine the havoc all that excess salt and sugar would cause to your dog, once the daily limit has been crossed.
Can Dogs Eat Orange Chicken Slices?
Orange chicken is a bad idea for dogs, like we mentioned before. But you can safely give them a piece or two without having to worry about all the dire consequences.
But, if you are negligent and give in to the dog, then you might be causing the dog more harm than good. This dish is made specifically to cater to the taste buds and the nutritional requirement and safety of humans, not dogs.
There are many ingredients which are not safe for dogs to consume. If you want to give your dog orange slices, then you can, but in very limited quantities, as not all fruits are safe for the consumption of dogs. Vets recommend limited treats as the acceptable quantity for feeding dogs’ orange slices.
Can Dogs Eat Orange Chicken Liver?
Liver and the heart of birds such as turkey and chicken are a very healthy and wholesome source of nutrition for your dog.
They contain many vitamins and minerals which are good and healthy for your dog. The chicken gizzards are rich in cartilage, and these are even sold with hearts as important ingredients in pet foods.
However, mixing liver and orange chicken is still not a good idea. Sure, the thought of replacing the dark meat with chicken liver sounds appealing, but it is essentially the same thing, as the recipe still contains an insane amount of salt and accompanying that salt is an insane amount of sugar as well.
These can lead to the dog either developing diabetes or pancreatitis. If you want to feed your dog liver, then you can, in various ways, but feeding them orange chicken related foods is not a good idea.
Because the recipe will remain the same, and it is definitely a recipe for disaster, so it is best to stay clear of it, no matter how appealing or inventive an idea may look or sound.
Can Dogs Allergic To Gluten Eat Orange Chicken?
While there is no gluten used in the ingredients, do not think it is a good idea to give to your dog that is allergic to gluten.
That does not change the fact that orange chicken is still very dangerous for dogs. If your dog has eaten a few pieces of orange chicken, then that is fine, as it won’t cause much harm to your dog, and you can relax as well.
On the other hand, the real problem arises when the dog has eaten a little too much orange chicken, then that can definitely lead to a string of complications that can haunt you and your dog for a very long time.
The dog can be susceptible to diabetes and pancreatitis, and even cardiovascular as well as gastrointestinal problems. Isn’t it better to just not feed your dog orange chicken rather than having to face the problems of feeding your dog orange chicken?
Can Dogs Eat Orange Chicken With Braces?
If your dog has braces and you plan on feeding them orange chicken, let us be the first ones to tell you that it is a horrible idea.
The orange chicken is not only deadly due to its high salt and sugar content, but the dark meat has bones in it. While bones are not bad for dogs, they are good, but only when they are raw and are not cooked.
Whereas, the bones in the orange chicken are cooked, which make them hard and easily breakable, which not only pose a choking hazard, but the sharp and jagged edges can tear and damage the lining of tissues that run all along the feeding canal.
This can cause severe pain and injury to your dog, with the worst case scenario being death for the poor pooch. So, no, do not feed your dog orange chicken, because the bones can get stuck in the braces as well, and it will only serve to be a headache for you to fix.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Feeding Your Dog Orange Chicken?
Well yes, your dog can benefit a little from eating orange chicken, but only on a minimal feed, not a regular kind of thing. Your dog can benefit from the chicken as it packs a lot of protein, which is good for dogs and can strengthen their bones and make them strong and less susceptible to contracting diseases.
Chicken is a great source of protein for dogs, and it gives them energy and supports the development and growth of muscles, which makes the dog look lean and muscular, adding to their physical aesthetic. There are vitamins such as B6 and B12 which bolster the metabolic activities inside the body.
The nervous system is also healthy and maintained by these vitamins. These are the only few benefits which compared to the cons, are just not worth the risk.
How To Prepare Orange Chicken For Dogs? Or What Are The Alternatives To Orange Chicken?
While orange chicken is an option that should only be kept for you, and not your dog. It doesn’t mean that your dog can’t enjoy anything else. Here are a few alternatives that you can make, and not worry about the health of your dog.
They are as follows:
Boiled Rice and Boiled Chicken Breast:
If you boil the chicken, then it becomes one of the best options to feed your dog for protein. This boiled chicken will be free from any seasoning or spices and is a great homemade remedy for a dog that has an upset stomach. Plus, it is pretty simple to make and needs no recipe.
Chicken Flavored Dog Treats:
Well, there are so many options you can choose from and find so conveniently at your local pet store, and there are so many flavors you can choose from. It adds to the excitement of your dog, and spices up their dietary routine as well, making it a great and safe replacement for the dangerous orange chicken.
Unsweetened Apple Sauce and Chicken:
Orange chicken has a lot of sugar in it, which is why it is sweet. You can give your dog boiled chicken and apple sauce that isn’t sweetened. Apples are generally safe and can be fed to dogs in low and moderate amounts.
What Do Vets Recommend, Should Dogs Be Given Orange Chicken Or Not?
Vets are of the few that you shouldn’t feed your dogs orange chicken at all, because it is not safe for them for a number of reasons. The problem begins firstly with the ingredients, some of which are out right not safe for your dog.
Secondly, the problem revolves around the insane amount of salt and sugar in this sugar, and these killer white powder bring about complications and problems of their own, namely pancreatitis and diabetes, respectively.
Vets are of the view that you can feed your dog only a couple of pieces of orange chicken, as overfeeding will lead to serious complications.
So, they recommend that you keep this dish for yourself and not indulge or feed any of it to your dog. As it can eventually lead to the death of your beloved pooch, it is best to keep it away from them at all costs.
Conclusion | Can Dogs Eat Orange Chicken?
While orange chicken is a delicious and yummy dish for humans, the same can’t be said for dogs. This dish is quite the opposite for them, as the dangerous levels of salt and sugar, and not to mention the choking hazard and the cooked and dangerously sharp small fragments of bone pose a much greater harm than good.
There are a few benefits of feeding your dog orange chicken, which are easily outweighed by the cons.
Hence, it is recommended that you enjoy this meal on your own, and if your pooch really wants to try something different, you can look at the alternatives we mentioned above. So, don’t feed your dog orange chicken at any cost, better safe than sorry!
