Dog owners usually want to feed their dogs with fruits, but dog’s system is not always capable to digest them. In this text we will see if dogs can eat lemon.
Some dogs enjoy sore taste of lemon, while others dislike lemon juice. But, the question is whether lemon is safe for dogs or not.
More About Lemon
The lemon (lat. Citrus limonia) is a small yellow fruit which comes from Asia. It is used all around the world. Apart from lemon juice, also the pulp and the rind of a lemon are used in baking and cooking. Lemon juice has a sour taste and it contains the citric acid, which has many health benefits for people. Lemon is also rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, folate, niacin, riboflavin, calcium, magnesium and other nutrients. Lemon contains antioxidants which fight against free radicals and boost our immune system. Antioxidants also help the body fight against aging.
Lemons are also good for treating throat infections, fever, dental problems, high blood pressure, obesity and respiratory disorders. Lemon is considered a blood purifier, too. There is no doubt that lemon is healthy for people, but can we give this fruit also to our dogs?
Is Lemon Safe for Dogs?
There are different opinions on whether lemon is safe for dogs or not. Citrus fruits generally are not toxic to dogs, but they can cause many side effects, especially if they are consumed in large amounts.
Also, you should know that lemon contains some toxic components, such as aromatic oils and psoralen compounds. If you decide to feed your dog with lemon, then you should give him only a small amount of this fruit. In this case, lemon can be beneficial for dogs.
Health Benefits of Lemon
Lemon can be beneficial for dogs, but only if it is used in small amounts. Due to the high potassium content, lemon can stimulate the dog’s appetite. Bioflavonoids which are found in lemon can strenghten blood vessels. Lemon juice can help in curing canine halitosis and bad breath. This juice also increases saliva production that helps to wash away bacteria and plaque. If it is used moderately, lemon helps in cleansing of the bowels and eliminating both diarrhea and constipation. Lemon can also help in weight loss if your dog has a problem with obesity. There are different ways of adding lemon to your dog’s diet. Dog owners usually freeze a lemon and grate it over dog’s food.
Also, you can add lemon juice to the water bowl of your dog. You can simply put a lemon juice in water and let your dog drink it. Lemon is good for skin and for dog’s fur, too. You can put lemon juice on a cotton ball and then put it on the affected area. It is recommendable also to mix green tea and lemon for treating acne which often occur in puppies 3 months of age. These treatments for skin work best if they are applied twice a day.
Side Effects of Lemon
Although lemon is not poisonous to dogs, it can irritate dog’s digestive system. Some vets say that lemon is too acidic for dog’s stomach. Apart from lemon juice, you should also avoid giving your dog the lemon skin or the pulp.
Some experiments have showed that if your dog puts his paws on a lemon, he may experience many side effects, such as vomiting, diarrhea, light sensitivity and throwing up. Your dog can also become depressive or lethargic and lose an appettite. In that case, you should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. The studies have shown that citrus are toxic not only to dogs, but also to cats and horses.
Final Thoughts
As you have seen, lemon can be healthy for dogs, if it is used moderately. Your dog might not have side effects after eating lemon, but in most cases he will have some health issues. Have in mind that lemons are not dog’s natural choice. There is a big possibility that dogs have stomach and other health problems after consuming lemon juice. Although the lemon can be beneficial, most experts recommend dog owners to avoid giving this fruit to their dogs. You can read our article on dogs eating carrots next.
