Giving your dog or puppy a taste of a lemon is the newest viral trend among some pet parents, similar to how cats fear cucumbers (which experts advise against doing to your cat). Videos of dogs cringing at the fruit are making the rounds on social media, and they are worrying some pet owners. While some animal rights activists find the videos to be cruel, others are unsure whether it’s safe for dogs to eat lemons.
Technically, yes, but only very small amounts. According to Cassie Panning, a certified veterinary technician at the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine, it can still result in GI distress. For all intents and purposes, she claimed that lemons weren’t particularly harmful unless consumed in large quantities.
No, but eating a lot of the acidic fruit can result in nausea, vomiting, weakness, and diarrhea. Large quantities can cause other issues, too. According to Amy Farcas, DVM, MS, DACVN, of Veterinary Nutrition Care, “Depending on the dog and amount eaten, a large piece of peel could cause obstruction of the GI tract, which is an emergency.”
A Bit of Lemon Juice in Your Puppy’s Water – a Refreshing Drink
Lemon juice is known to be naturally refreshing.
So adding a little lemon juice to your puppy’s water can aid in her recovery from exhaustion and maintain her youthfulness.
Lemon juice also helps to counter bad breath.
Your dog’s daily diet may also benefit from a small amount of lemon juice to help with digestion.
Thoughts of lemon juice as a safe vitamin C supplement for your puppy should be avoided
That can be a really bad idea.
For one, it’s unlikely that your puppy needs any supplements.
Additionally, we’ve already discussed the risks associated with giving your dog supplements that aren’t at the proper, medically prescribed dosage.
Be very careful how much lemon juice you add to your puppy’s water when getting ready to do so.
It’s probably way too much if you can taste the tartness of the lemon in the water.
Besides, your puppy would most likely hate the taste anyway.
Some people use lemon juice as a “naughty” punishment or a deterrent for puppies to keep them from chewing on inappropriate objects. Because the citric acid in the lemon juice can make your dog ill, this could do more harm than good. This won’t only fail to change the behavior, but it will also require extensive cleanup on your part. Keep shoes, clothes, handbags, and other prized possessions out of the reach of young puppies or dogs who might think they look like fun toys if you want to prevent your puppy from chewing on the couch or a favorite shoe. You can also try distracting your puppy with a chew toy or bone when you see them heading for it.
Due to the high concentration of citric acid in too much lemon juice, it can cause stomach irritation in dogs. Your pup may experience vomiting or diarrhea as a result. Your dog may even exhibit an unusual sensitivity to light if they’ve consumed a lot of lemons.
Contact your veterinarian or animal poison control if your dog has consumed a lot of lemons. They will advise you on what to do and whether your dog needs to be seen. Most dogs won’t need to visit the veterinarian if they eat a small amount of lemon. In actuality, your pet might not even react negatively at all, save for making a funny face.
In a word, no – they aren’t good for dogs. Lemons have no nutritional value, and your dog may experience problems due to the acidity of their juice. Furthermore, when consumed in sufficient amounts, the essential oils and psoralens compounds in lemons can be toxic to your pet.
Additionally, you ought to refrain from giving your dog any lemonade or other sweetened lemon products. Even though the taste may be more pleasant, it still contains a lot of citric acid. Additionally, sugar adds calories, and your dog doesn’t need those since they can cause them to gain weight. Additionally, since xylitol is toxic to dogs, artificial sweeteners should be avoided.
Symptoms of Lemon and Lime Poisoning in Dogs
The phototoxic substances known as psoralens and the essential oils limonene and linalool work together to produce the signs and symptoms of citrus fruit poisoning, including lemon and lime poisoning.
FAQ
Can lemon juice harm dogs?
Citric acid, which is present in large amounts in lemon juice, a concentrated form of the fruit, is poisonous to dogs. Additionally, it’s critical to keep your dog away from the skin and rind of lemons. Lemon rinds contain psoralen, which is poisonous to dogs as well.
How much lemon juice is bad for dogs?
Citric acid is harmful to dogs, especially in large quantities. Extreme stomach upset, including vomiting and diarrhea, may result from it. Lemons are high in citric acid. A single lick of lemon or lemon juice is unlikely to make your dog queasy, but too much can make them feel very ill.
What should I do if my dog eats a lemon?
The good news is that your dog shouldn’t have any issues if they occasionally eat small amounts of a lemon’s fleshy part. However, you should still keep an eye out for symptoms of illness if you are aware that your dog consumed any part of a lemon.