Can Dogs Eat Orange Chicken? [Risks and Benefits]

Orange chicken is a popular Asian preparation served in many fast-food outlets. The chicken is batter-fried to create a crispy, tangy, and sweet dish that many love!

Did you get a takeaway from Panda Express after a long day? It is difficult not to share some with your pup, especially when they charge at you, wagging their tails! If you’re wondering if you can share your orange chicken, don’t worry, we are here with answers! 

Can dogs eat orange chicken?

It is best if you keep orange chicken away from your dog. A piece or two of orange chicken won’t affect your dog too much. But orange chicken is made of ingredients that can deteriorate canine health. So, it is best to keep it as far away from your pup as possible. Overconsumption can lead to various health conditions like obesity, diabetes, pancreatitis, etc.

Orange chicken is not ideal for feeding dogs. It contains high levels of sugar, salt, and fats. Still want to know more about how orange chicken may affect your dog? Continue reading the post!

Why Is Orange Chicken Bad for Dogs?

The ingredients used in the orange chicken aren’t dangerous for dogs. But they are capable of adversely affecting your pup’s health. For you to understand better, we have listed down why orange chicken shouldn’t be fed to dogs in large quantities: 

Sugar

Orange chicken contains high levels of sugar. Most of us know the effects excessive sugar can have on canine health. The sugar levels in the orange chicken are not fatal but can leave your dog in great distress. Who wants to risk that?

The first signs you’ll notice when your dog has consumed too much sugar are vomiting and diarrhea. These are just short-term complications.

Long-term complications include obesity and diabetes. When aging dogs overeat sugar, it increases the risk of arthritis and hip dysplasia.

Another issue your dog may face with excessive sugar consumption is dental problems. Sugar can cause cavities if your dog’s teeth aren’t cleaned properly after eating.

Sodium

The salt and soy sauce in orange chicken have high sodium levels. Consuming foods with high sodium content leads to severe thirst and dehydration in dogs.

In more severe cases, it can also lead to sodium ion poisoning and hypernatremia. Here are some symptoms of overconsumption of salt that you can look out for:

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Seizures 
• Tremors
• Muscle spasms 
• Loss of appetite 
• Loss of balance 

Fats

The chicken used to prepare orange chicken is dark meat. It contains about three times more fat than the breast piece does. 

Fats are essential in a canine’s diet. Your dog needs enough fats to stay active and healthy every day. However, there is a limit to fat consumption as well. Overconsuming fats can lead to various health conditions.

Excessive fat consumption can lead to weight gain. This weight can put too much pressure on the bone joints and organs such as the heart, kidney, liver, etc. Your dog could even become obese after a point that results in heart problems, respiratory difficulties, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Feeding fatty foods to your dog regularly can lead to a condition called pancreatitis. The symptoms of pancreatitis are:

• Abdominal pain 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Lethargic behavior 
• Loss of appetite 
• Fever 

Citric Acid

The orange in orange chicken contains citric acid. When eaten in excess, citric acid can cause great abdominal stress in your pooch. It can result in bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, and dehydration.

Oil

Lastly, don’t overlook the amount of oil in this dish. We aren’t just talking about the hydrogenated oils but the oils in which it’s deep-fried. That much oil is too much for human bodies sometimes. So, letting your pup eat it is an idea you should reconsider.

Flour and Corn starch

Orange chicken is battered before it is fried. This batter is made from flour and corn starch which are predominantly carbohydrates. When this batter is overconsumed, it leads to fat storage in the body resulting in weight gain.

My Dog Ate Orange Chicken: What to Do!

You don’t need to worry much if your dog got its paws on a piece or two of orange chicken. Canine bodies can handle very minimal quantities of orange chicken. 

If your dog has eaten a significant amount of orange chicken, it may start showing signs of distress. It is essential to pay extra attention to your dog when you suspect it has eaten orange chicken. 

There might be signs of salt poisoning and pancreatitis. You may also notice your dog becoming lethargic, vomiting, or experiencing abdominal pain. In these cases, make sure to contact your vet immediately. 

Orange chicken is high in sodium. This may lead to your pup becoming severely dehydrated. So, make sure your pup has enough water to recover from this state. 

If you wish to take extra precautions, your pup’s next meal can be a bland meal with boiled meat. This compensates for the excessive sugar, salt, and fats intake from the orange chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can my dog have Panda Express chicken?

It is essential to check the ingredients before letting your dog eat Panda Express chicken. The ingredients may not be toxic to dogs but are unsuitable for their bodies. One or two pieces are okay, but larger quantities will adversely affect your pup. 

What can my dog eat from Panda Express’s menu?

You can pick from popular menu items such as Beijing beef, kung pao chicken, or even honey walnut shrimp. These options are relatively safer for dogs. This way, you can share your Panda Express experience with your dog! 

Can my dog eat soy sauce?

No, dogs should not eat soy sauce. This is not due to the soy in the sauce but the high sodium levels. High sodium content can result in severe dehydration and bloating in dogs. So, it is best to avoid feeding your dog soy sauce. 

Can my dog eat Chinese chicken?

No, it is not recommended to feed Chinese chicken to your pup. Chinese chicken has a combination of spice and high levels of salt that harm dogs. On consuming a significant amount of Chinese chicken, your dog may suffer from abdominal distress and diarrhea. So, it is best kept away.

Can puppies eat orange chicken?

No, puppies shouldn’t eat orange chicken. Puppies have more sensitive digestive systems. They won’t be able to handle minimal quantities of orange chicken. So, please ensure you always keep orange chicken away from their reach.

Can pregnant dogs eat orange chicken?

No, pregnant dogs are not safe to eat orange chicken. Typically, a piece or two of orange chicken wouldn’t be problematic for dogs. However, it will still irritate their stomachs. It is best not to risk this in pregnant dogs. So, please keep orange chicken away from them altogether.

Conclusion

We’ve finally reached the end of the post! Orange chicken is admittedly a delicious dish. Unfortunately, it is not what you should be sharing with your pup.

The spices, fats, salt, and sugar content in orange chicken can make your pup very ill. Although it is not dangerous or toxic to dogs, nobody wants to see their little friend suffer even slightly!

So, please always keep orange chicken away from your pup’s reach. As discussed earlier, it could result in health issues such as abdominal pain, diabetes, weight gain, and more.

If your dog finds some orange chicken, get in touch with the vet immediately. They are many other ways your dog can enjoy chicken safely!