Can Dogs Have Lemon?

Lemons are often used in recipes for the unique flavor they add to food. They are also used to make lemonade that we enjoy so much on a hot day. But, can you share this citrus fruit with your furry friend? In this article, we seek to answer the question, “Can dogs eat lemons?”

Lemons are dangerous to dogs and eating them can result in health complications. While eating a small piece of lemon is harmless for your dog, the citric acid levels in lemons are bad for them. 

Citrus fruits contain chemical compounds and essential oils that are toxic to dogs. These harmful substances are found in the skin, white parts of the lemon, plant, and tree parts.

Are Lemons Bad for Dogs?

Is citrus bad for dogs? Yes. The components found in lemons make them toxic to dogs. 

The common health risk of your dog eating lemons is lemon poisoning. This shows in various symptoms like:

• Weakness

• Confusion

• Drowsiness

• Diarrhea

• Skin irritation

• Excessive drooling

• Loss of coordination

• Tremors

• Vomiting

If you see any of these signs, contact your vet for professional guidance.

Lemon Components Toxic to Dogs

Why is lemon bad for dogs? The citric acid and components found in lemons make them harmful to dogs. These components are:

Limonene

All citrus fruits produce limonene, the compound that gives them their citrus smell. Limonene is toxic to dogs. It has insecticidal compounds that will result in liver failure, poisoning, and liver damage if ingested by your dog.

Citric Acid

All citrus fruits have excess levels of citric acid that are harmful to dogs. While the human digestive system is designed to digest citric acid, a dog's system isn't. A few slices of lemon can result in stomach issues for your dog. If your dog eats larger portions, it will result in serious health issues like central nervous depression. 

Symptoms of central nervous depression are loss of coordination, drowsiness, and confusion.

Psoralen

Psoralen is found in lime trees, citrus fruits, and in the rinds of lemon. It causes poisoning in dogs with symptoms like eye and skin sensitivity to the sun. If your dog eats lemon rind, call your vet immediately. Rinds can result in gastric obstruction and your dog will require surgery. 

Linalool

Linalool is the component responsible for the floral aroma of citrus fruits. Just like limonene, it has insecticidal compounds. Linalool has high levels found in lemon leaves and fruit. If your dog eats lemon or leaves, it will cause damage to the liver and liver failure.

My Dog Ate Lemon. What Do I Do?

Luckily, dogs are likely to stay away from lemons because of the smell. However, if your dog accidentally eats lemon, look out for these signs:

• Skin irritation 

• Diarrhea 

• Lethargy

• Vomiting

When you see these signs, call your vet. Often, for mild symptoms, the vet will give directions about home care that you can monitor at home. 

However, if the symptoms are severe like tremors, confusion, and loss of coordination, you'll need to take your dog to the vet immediately. You must consult your vet regarding these symptoms because if not treated immediately, lemon poisoning will damage your dog's liver.

What to Feed Your Dog Instead of Lemons

Lemon for dogs is a bad idea. However, there are other healthy and safe fruits your dog can enjoy. These include bananas, apples, watermelon, mango, and strawberry. Before giving your dog fruits, remove the seeds. Also, avoid giving your dog canned fruits as they contain xylitol, which is toxic to them. 

Fruits should be used as a treat and given in moderation. Your dog should get all their essential nutrients from their regular dog food and not from treats. 

Conclusion

Can dogs eat lemons? No! Lemons are toxic to dogs. They contain components that are dangerous to dogs. Consumption of lemon will result in lemon poisoning with severe consequences like liver failure. Find alternative safe and healthy fruit options for your dog like apples.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs eat limes?

No. The citric acid in limes causes stomach problems in dogs.

Can dogs have lemonade?

No. The excess sugar in lemonade is harmful to dogs.

Can dogs drink lemon water?

No. The components in lemon are dangerous to dogs. Also, the acidity will interfere with your dog's gut.