Though it’s uncommon to slice up a lemon as a snack, lemons still make it into everyday dining. Whether you’re reaching for a refreshing glass of lemonade or squeezing some lemon juice onto fresh fish, lemons are an essential item for any food lover. But how does this tangy fruit fare for our furry friends? Is your dog in the clear to sample a bit of a sour surprise? Today we will answer these questions. Can dogs eat lemons? Read on to find out.
Can Dogs Eat Lemons?
Perhaps you have more of a reserved canine. You drop a piece of food and your dog waits for his cue to explore it. Or maybe she tentatively sniffs at the treat. More likely, your dog makes a nosedive for the fallen scraps before a proper evaluation can be made. Therefore, it’s not a far stretch to picture your dog devouring a bit of a lemon.
Can dogs eat lemons? No, dogs can’t eat lemons. Even if your dog was able to get past the sour taste of this citrus fruit, certain compounds in lemons are unfortunately difficult for canines to ingest. Lemons are not a suitable food for dogs.
Lemon Doggie Dangers
What is it about lemons that makes them so incompatible with dogs? Both the aromatic oils and psoralen compounds in lemons don’t bode well with a doggie digestive system. Eating lemons can therefore cause an upset stomach for your canine.
You may have noticed a viral video trend of humans giving dogs lemons to lick and filming them for reactions. Is this practice safe? While any concerned pet parent wouldn’t even consider this sort of social media exploitation, a very small amount of lemon likely won’t harm your dog.
However, there is still a risk that your dog gets an upset stomach from sampling the fruit. The acidic content of lemons could cause an array of gastrointestinal problems for your dog, while the peel could potentially cause GI tract obstruction. This would result in an emergency medical situation.
What About Lemon Juice?
Lemons clearly aren’t squaring out to be safe, but it’s worth asking if dogs can eat lemon juice. Unsurprisingly, lemon juice is also off the table for canines.
Consuming lemon juice will provide zero nutritional benefits for dogs, and it can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Furthermore, the high acid level of lemon juice could actually disrupt your dog’s acid base balance.
Help! My Dog Ate a Lemon
No matter our vigilance, dogs have a knack for sneaking food that was supposed to be off limits. So what should you do if your dog manages to eat a lemon?
Don’t let your pet out of your sight if this happens. Be on the lookout for vomiting, diarrhea, or a sensitivity to light. If you notice any of these symptoms or anything unusual, call your veterinarian immediately. Luckily, lemons won’t likely cause damage unless they are ingested in large quantities or if your dog manages to consume large amounts of lemon rind.
Since lemons are so sour, it is unlikely your dog will elect to consume a large pile of them. However, it’s always best to play it safe and keep banned foods far out of your dog’s reach.
Sour Summary
Can dogs eat lemons? No, lemons are not a safe food to feed your dog. Steer clear of feeding your dog lemons, as they are known to cause stomach upset in canines. Let’s stick to a safer and less sour fruit for our furry friends.
To read about healthy fruits for dogs, check out can dogs eat bananas.
