Do not allow your dog to eat lemons! Many health issues can occur if your dog consumes lemons, from a mild case of digestive upset to a severe case of poisoning. Thus, never give your dog these citrus fruits.
Why are lemons bad for dogs?
Yes, lemons are not suitable treats for dogs. While lemons have many phytonutrients that promote a healthy immune system, heart, and eye function, this health benefit outweighs the dangers it poses to dogs.
Below are the top 5 hazards of lemons that you should be aware of:
1. Lemons Have Awful Bitter Taste
Why is the answer to “Can dogs eat lemons” no? Here is one good reason: dogs generally don’t like bitter food. An expert explained that poisonous or spoiled food usually tastes bitter to them. Thus, they learned to stay away from it for their own safety.
For this reason, it is never a good idea to allow dogs to eat lemons as a prank. Doing so will only confuse them, eventually losing trust in their human companions.
2. Lemons Are High in Citric Acid
Some dog owners use lemons as deterrents for puppies and dogs to curb their destructive behavior. However, this is a bad idea as the fruit contains high amounts of citric acid, which can irritate their digestive tracts.
Moreover, dogs have sensitive stomachs. Ingesting a small amount of lemons can trigger adverse side effects. It contains enough citric acid to cause upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Citrus fruits like lemons and limes have high citric acid content. Hence, they should also be kept away from them. On the other hand, orange is an exception. This fruit is safe for them to eat but in moderation.
3. Lemons Can Cause Choking and Intestinal Blockage
Can dogs have lemon seeds and lemon peels? No, they are harmful to dogs. Both are choking hazards that can cause stomach obstruction. Ingesting small amounts of lemon seeds or peels is usually safe, especially for larger dogs.
However, small dog breeds are more at risk of these dangers as they have small windpipes. Protect your dog from these risks by properly disposing of the fruit’s skin and seeds.
4. Lemons Contain Psoralens
A chemical compound called psoralens can be found in citrus fruits. It is a compound toxic to dogs and can cause digestive upset.
Psoralen is highly concentrated in the skin, seeds, and pits of lemons. Lemon trees also contain large amounts of psoralens, making them very poisonous to dogs.
If you have a lemon tree in your garden, ensure it is fenced away from your dog. Make sure to pick up fallen lemons in your garden too. The toxic compound is quite useful to humans as it is used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis.
Unfortunately, it does not have the same effect on dogs. Psoralens in lemons can cause many health issues, including vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, tremors, and difficulty moving. Some pooches may even develop sensitivity to light.
5. Lemons Are Full of Limonene
The presence of limonene in the fruit is another reason why the answer to “Can dogs eat lemons?” is no. Limonene is an organic compound commonly found in various citrus fruits.
High concentrations of limonene can be found in lemon peels. This compound is very toxic to dogs if ingested. Once limonene is metabolized in the body, it can result in severe health problems such as poisoning and liver failure.
Can dogs have lemon juice?
No, dogs should not have lemon juice. Like the fruit, lemon juice is highly acidic. It is also loaded with sugar, which can cause your dog to develop various health issues. These include periodontal diseases, obesity, and diabetes.
Can dogs have lemonade?
No, lemonade is high in sugar and contains calories and citric acid. Your dog may unnecessarily gain weight and suffer digestive issues if he consumes lemonade. Thus, keep it away from your dog.
Can dogs eat lemon cake?
Lemon cake is safe for your dog to eat but in small amounts. However, check the ingredients in the lemon cake before treating your dog. It should be free from icing, low in sugar, and has no artificial additives.
Remember to feed in moderation. If your dog eats lemon cake excessively, he may experience an upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea.
How do you know if your dog ate lemons?
Ingesting small amounts of lemons will less likely cause discomfort to pooches. In short, dogs will most probably be fine. However, if a dog eats large amounts of lemons, then that’s another story.
Below are the most common signs that your furry friend has consumed too much of the citrus fruit:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Exaggerated swallowing motions
Bring him to the vet immediately for treatment if he shows these symptoms. Gastric lavage or irrigation will be performed to remove the toxins from his stomach.
After that, your dog will be given finely ground-activated charcoal. It will bind the toxins and stop them from becoming absorbed by the digestive system and bloodstream.
The vet will proceed by hydrating your pooch with IV fluids. They may also offer a mixture of sugar and electrolytes to deal with imbalances that might occur.
If he is experiencing breathing difficulties, he will be given oxygen. In addition, anti-seizure medications may be administered if he exhibits severe tremors.
Lemon poisoning may cause your dog to become extremely sensitive to light. Shelter him from the sun for approximately forty-eight hours after the treatment to avoid skin reactions.
The vet may instruct you to monitor your dog’s blood levels once he is in recovery to check if his kidney and liver didn’t sustain damage from poisoning.
Can dogs have lemon essential oil?
The answer to this question is widely debated. Some believe that citrus essential oils like lemon are toxic to dogs. Others claim that lemon essential oil is safe and offers health benefits if appropriately diluted. For your dog’s safety, consult a holistic vet before using it on him.
Can dogs eat lemons? The final answer
Our furry companions and these super tangy citrus fruits are not a good mix. Opt for healthier human food that will adequately supplement his diet.
Speak to your vet to find the fruits and vegetables suitable for your dog’s nutritional needs.
