Lemon is a type of citrus fruit that has an intense flavor. This fruit is not usually eaten due to its strong flavor but is instead pickled and used in combination with spices and herbs in desserts and drinks. But can dogs eat lemons, or are lemons bad for dogs? If you are wondering; Can dogs have lemons; The answer is – yes, dogs can eat lemons technically because in very small amounts they are not toxic to them. However, because of how acidic this fruit is, only very small amounts of lemon (or lemon juice itself) can be given to dogs.
Furthermore, we must question whether lemons are even needed for dogs and if there is any reason to give lemon to a dog to eat. Lemon is a nutritionally powerful fruit and provides many health benefits for people. But the amounts that dogs can have lemons vary significantly, and in this article, we’ll look at what happens when a dog eats a whole lemon, in any instance are lemons bad for dogs, can dogs Can eat lemons regularly, and more?
What are lemons?
Lemon is the yellow fruit of the lemon tree and the juice of this fruit is often used in food and drink. Specifically, the rind and pulp are used in baking and cooking. Its distinctive sour taste is also an important ingredient for foods and drinks such as lemon meringue pie and lemonade. There are many varieties of lemon, and they are known to contain large amounts of vitamin C. They also have copious amounts of citric acid and phytochemicals. Lemons are also used as cleaning agents and for aromatherapy purposes which makes them very effective due to their high acidity levels.
Apart from making delicious drinks and foods, lemons are also used for medicinal or nutritional reasons. There is a lot of research supporting the many benefits of lemons for humans, but can dogs get the same benefits by eating lemons? Is there any evidence on using lemon for dogs, can dogs have lemon in any form, or are lemons bad for dogs in any case? let’s take a closer look.
Lemons for Dogs 101 Can Dogs Eat Lemons?
Can dogs eat lemons like humans? Technically yes, you can give lemon to your dog. But since too much lemon juice from lemons can have toxic effects due to the high acidity, essential oils, and psoralens, you need to be careful with the amount you feed your dog. The most important concern in feeding lemons to dogs is the acidic value of this fruit which can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs including vomiting and diarrhea. Usually, a dog needs to consume a large amount of lemon to reach this point.
But should you be giving lemons to your dog?
Unfortunately, there have not been any studies done with dogs to show any benefits of feeding lemon to dogs. So while technically a small serving of lemon may be safe for dogs, we currently know of no reason to give lemon to our pets. In fact, the UK Animal Welfare Organization RSPCA has issued a warning to pet owners who have been making videos about feeding lemons to dogs.
His claims may be a bit exaggerated as it counts, but the concerns are valid nonetheless. One might suspect that it is possible that some of the health benefits of feeding lemons to dogs would apply as they often do when looking at other fruits – blueberries and apples, for example. People and dogs often share some of the health benefits of the fruit, so here’s a look at the studies done in clinical trials with humans and rats on the benefits of lemons.
- Lemons support heart health and lower cholesterol.
- Lemon can prevent kidney stones.
- Lemon may have anticarcinogenic properties ( 1Trusted Source , 12Trusted Source , 13Trusted Source , 14Trusted Source , 15Trusted Source , 16Trusted Source )
- Lemons may prevent anemia by improving iron absorption (17, 18).
- Lemons may help prevent weight gain ( 1Trusted Source , 20Trusted Source , 21Trusted Source )
There are some benefits of lemons for people (and rats), but none of them have been tested in dogs, thus we can’t know for sure whether any of these health benefits would apply to them. . It is certainly possible.
Can Dogs Have Lemon Juice?
One may wonder, if lemons are not bad for dogs in small amounts, can dogs have lemon juice too? The answer is no – dogs should not drink lemon juice in any amount. Lemon juice is a high-acidity concentrate that provides no benefit to dogs and is less likely to cause stomach upset or other GI-related issues in the dog. A whole lemon contains fiber that helps balance natural sugars and acidity. This makes lemon much safer for dogs than lemon juice. Bottom Line There is no reason to give lemon juice to dogs.
The same applies to giving lemonade to dogs. With that being said, can dogs have lemons (whole) and get some benefits? We don’t know for sure, but we can assume that some of these proven benefits found in humans and rats may extend to dogs as well. This is relevant because lemons are safe for dogs in small amounts, so here are some potential benefits that have not yet been proven.
7 Potential Benefits of Lemon for Dogs
- Lemon can relieve arthritis pain in dogs.
Although lemons are acidic, they have an alkalizing effect on the body itself. This alkalizing effect balances the pH level in the body, reduces inflammation, and relieves pain associated with arthritis. This was seen in humans, but we are not sure if it would work in dogs, and that remains to be seen.
- Lemon can help reduce and reduce the risk of cancer in dogs.
Lemons are rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that protects a dog’s cells from free radical damage. Cells damaged by free radicals are the first step in the development of cancer, and adding vitamin C to your diet may prevent cancer altogether. Lemon contains flavonol glycosides and limonene, two cancer-fighting antioxidants found in this fruit.
- Lemon can be used to prevent ear infections in dogs.
Ear infections are one of the most common health problems in dogs, and the number one reason pet owners visit the vet. Using natural remedies such as lemon flush in the ear can prevent future ear infections from occurring due to their acidity. This is especially useful for dogs who swim frequently. However, this needs to be discussed with a vet and you should not attempt to do this without a vet’s supervision.
- Lemon aids in the absorption of important nutrients.
Lemon not only contains high amounts of vitamin C but also contains vitamin B3, vitamin E, selenium, and potassium. Each of these vitamins and minerals — and especially vitamin C — work to make the dog’s body absorb nutrients more efficiently which leads the body to function normally. This is especially the case for iron absorption, which in human trials was shown to help prevent anemia with lemon consumption.
- Lemon may help encourage weight loss in dogs.
Lemon contains a lot of pectin fiber which prevents hunger pangs. Additionally, studies have shown some weight loss associated with alkaline diets, and due to the alkaline content within lemons, this fruit has been used as a means to help reduce some of the extra pounds seen in studies of people and rats. has been done in may be used.
- Lemon can promote strong teeth and bones.
The high amount of vitamin C in lemons can help a dog’s body absorb and metabolize calcium, strengthening teeth and bones. In addition, a diet high in vitamin C is likely to promote a less than favorable environment for bacteria to grow and multiply (as is true for cancer), effectively washing away bacteria and plaque, especially in the mouth. Is. ,
- Lemon can help eliminate dog acne.
Some puppies and dogs of certain breeds, such as Dobermans, Rottweilers, and Boxers, are prone to acne on the lips or chin. Using lemon with green tea dabbed gently on the pimples can help fight this skin condition, but this needs to be discussed with a vet and should be done under a vet’s supervision.
So, can dogs have lemons?
The bottom line here is that while yes, dogs can eat lemons, we are not sure of any proven benefits of feeding this fruit to our dogs. It is possible that some of the proven benefits of lemon in rats and people can be applied to dogs, but this remains to be seen. If you want to feed your dog a few slices of lemon, that’s perfectly fine and it shouldn’t upset your dog’s stomach or cause any other problems. But we do not yet know if there is any reason to feed this fruit to dogs.
3 Side Effects of Lemon for Dogs
Are lemons bad for dogs in any instance? Yes, they can be dangerous to dogs in large amounts or to dogs with certain health conditions. Here are some of the possible side effects of feeding dogs lemon.
- Gastrointestinal distress (vomiting, diarrhea)
- muscle tremors
- excessive drooling
- inability to stand or walk
- rashes in the groin area
- liver failure
- Lemon peel, seeds, and plant can be very dangerous for dogs.
While whole lemon fruit may be safe for dogs in small amounts, the rind or skin of a lemon is a serious choking hazard, primarily but not exclusively for small breed dogs. A large piece of peel can easily obstruct the gastrointestinal tract. Lemongrass can also be toxic to dogs. While the seeds of a lemon are not dangerous to dogs in terms of their content, they can irritate the digestive tract of any dog with a gastrointestinal disorder such as irritable bowel syndrome, and can become a choking hazard for dogs otherwise.
- Lemon juice is not suitable for dogs.
The acidity in lemon juice can cause severe stomach upset, including vomiting and diarrhea. You should never give your dog lemon juice for any reason.
summary
Can Dogs Eat Lemons?
So can dogs safely eat lemons? In small amounts – yes, you can give your pooch a few slices of the whole lemon. But while dogs can eat lemon, it is generally not encouraged unless the amount is carefully monitored, and even then we have to question the reason why anyone would give a dog lemon. Most dogs won’t enjoy the taste of lemon anyway. We’re also not sure there are any real benefits from feeding lemon to dogs, even though studies with rats and people demonstrate them. Finally, you should never give your dog lemon juice and, in general, probably safe and beneficial fruits (such as bananas or raspberries) that are good for dogs, or any other human foods that are healthy for dogs. are proved.