The bitter flavor of lemons is something that your furry baby may easily avoid eating. But usually, your dog trusts you enough to eat what you may kindly offer them. So, can dogs eat lemons? More importantly, are lemons healthy for dogs? Or, perhaps, are they bad for dogs?
If you’re wondering whether or not dogs can eat lemons, the answer is quite simple: they shouldn’t.
Can Dogs Eat Lemons?
Lemons do not offer any nutritional value to dogs. There is no reason for them to eat lemons. Therefore, why should they? However, the answer goes beyond that. Lemons are not only empty snacks but also harmful fruit for dogs with the potential to cause digestive problems. Digestion problems tend to occur as a result of:
- Food allergies
- Infections
- Dietary indiscretion
What About Lemonade?
Lemonade might be even worse for dogs. While the sugar may numb down the citric acid, it does not the juice any healthier. Remember that sugar is unhealthy for dogs and should be kept to an absolute minimum!
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Why are Lemons Harmful to Dogs?
Lemons are toxic for dogs because of the citric acid they contain. Lemons are rich in citric acid which affects their digestive system. This is especially crucial if they have a sensitive stomach or if they ate a lot of lemons.
Toxicity
Lemons contain essential oils and a chemical compound that is toxic to dogs. These are commonly found in many other citrus fruits (lime, grapefruit), plants, tree parts, and the skin. Thankfully, dogs tend to avoid eating lemons themselves. The bitter taste discourages them from trying to eat lemons, as they associate bitterness with a negative, unwelcome flavor.
Distrust
While dogs naturally avoid lemons, some may disregard their instincts if their pet parents insist on feeding them such. This is because dogs trust their pet parents and want to appease them. However, over time, they will become distrustful of the food you feed them if you continuously feed them something that harms them. As a result of the general discomfort from the acidic residue in lemons, some dogs can develop food aversions and no longer trust you with the food you give them.
Long-lasting Effects
The acidic ingredient of lemons can cause some irreparable, long-lasting effects on your dogs. They may experience mild or serious conditions of increased cellular degeneration. The citric acid essentially minimizes the effectiveness in their red blood cells as well as the delivery of oxygen throughout their entire body.
Final Words
Dogs should never eat lemons. They are a toxic fruit for them because lemons contain citric acid. Citric acid is extremely harmful to all dogs which long-lasting effects that can easily be avoided. Do not feed lemons to your dog! However, that does not mean that your dog cannot digest other fruit in order to get nutrition from their snacks. If you are looking for healthy dog snacks to feed your furry pal, consider the healthy ABBC’s: apples, bananas, blueberries, and carrots!
Now you’re up to date on your pet’s health regarding lemons! Still got questions? Then book a video consultation with one of our qualified veterinarians to get advice on your pet questions within minutes.