Can Dogs Eat Lemons?

Can dogs eat lemons? It is always important that you should be careful about what you feed your dog. Always be eager to know what is best for your dog. Most of us love playing with our dogs, and we would like to give them better treatment. Just because you find some food or fruit to be delicious does not mean your dog can eat it too.

We like experimenting with different kinds of foods that our dogs can eat, but it is wise to know the resulting consequences. Dogs are known to eat various types of fruits.

Not all fruits are suitable as most of them usually have toxic elements that can pose a danger to your pet. Always check your dog’s progress after eating something new because they may be different in their preferences.

Can Dogs Eat Lemons? Nope!

Lemons like grapefruits are also classified among citrus fruits and are toxic to your dog. They contain a chemical compound known as psoralens which lead to neurological symptoms and live failure in severe cases.

This compound is present in the whole lemon and cannot be avoided once eaten. The highest levels of the toxic element are usually on the skin, pith, and seeds. Some symptoms will indicate the degree of toxicity in your dog.

Symptoms of Toxic Substances:

Gastrointestinal Distress

It is among the earliest signs that signal the extent of toxicity your dog experiences. They will suffer from diarrhea and constant vomiting.

Rashes In The Groin

Some rashes may develop in the area between the thigh and the abdomen. It may be on either side of your dog’s groin which shows the side effect of the lemon.

Other Advanced Symptoms

Larger quantities of this fruit in your dog’s digestive system may lead to muscle tremors, drooling and mostly, you will see them unable to stand or move around. Severe cases might lead to death such as massive ingestion without medical attention. It is always important that you should check the symptoms earlier and take your pet to the veterinarian for medical assistance.

How About The Lemon Juice?

Lemon juice can provide healing properties to your dog but when done in moderation. You would always be on the lookout to check what suits your dog and the essential factors that are necessary to improve their health. Lemon juice is quite different from the real lemon fruit because of the moderate amount of acidity.

Studies have shown that little amounts of lemon water can be used to eliminate bad breath for your dog, other people know it as canine halitosis. It has also shown that dogs never used to eat lemons naturally and it is important to abide by what is best for them.

Keeping little portions of the lemon water is essential as large quantities may hurt their stomachs. You will realize that they cannot ingest it the lemon juice once the taste is extremely sour. If you are a newbie, tending to your dog for the first time, it is not recommended to give your dog the lemon water.

The most appropriate way to deal with this situation is to abstain from giving your dog any lemon substance. The reason behind it is evident as the toxic substances may not be favorable to your dog’s condition. It is important to know that lemon juice does not have any nutritional value to your dog.

The fact that you give them in little amounts only helps in removing the bad breath. Other alternatives are also recommended rather than the lemon water because of its adverse side effects to your dog’s health.

Other than lemons, there are other fruits that are toxic to dogs:

What Can I Do If They Take Excess Lemon?

It is always advisable that you should be keen on the kind of food or fruits your dog feeds on. It assists in ensuring fewer possibilities of danger on your dog. If you realize that your dog has consumed copious amounts of lemon, rush it to the veterinarian for observation.

The symptoms should be the first signals that show your dog is suffering from the toxic substances. You can also notice your dog licking his nose frequently which results from nausea. Any other unusual behavior after excess consumption of lemon juice should be taken seriously and made to the professionals.

Conclusion

Can dogs eat lemons? Lemon is toxic to your dog no matter what for it takes. There are myths which may mislead you as they are only words and not facts. It is important to know that scientific research and studies have been performed on these fruits to determine their edibility to dogs.

Immediate response may save your dog from sudden death as most veterinarians act quickly to reverse the process. It is also important to cease from giving hazardous dog foods to prevent high expenses while saving them from severe conditions.