Can I Give my Dog Lemon
As a dog owner, your first concern is definitely your dog’s nutrition and health. Fruits are a nutritious source of vitamins and minerals, but about 90% of dog owners don’t know if their dog can be given all types of fruits. It is essential that you know about fruits that dogs can eat and can’t eat before you feed them, especially in the case of citrus fruits.
A dog’s digestive system is different from human digestive system and you need to really think before you give your dog everything you eat. Dogs might have difficulty in digesting certain foods. Talking about fruits, while dogs can eat fruits such as apples, oranges, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, pears etc, it is better to avoid certain citrus fruits. Many dog owners have asked me if they can give lemon to their dog. If you want to know if your dog can eat lemon, continue reading….
The answer is yes, but only small amount though it is not necessary
Lemon is a small citrus fruit that is used for culinary purposes, primarily for its juice. If you really want to give your dog lemon, give a small amount but after removing the seeds, peel and pith, because they can upset your dog’s digestive system. Actually it is not a good choice of fruit to give your dog.
Why is lemon harmful to dogs?
The juice of lemon has a very sour taste and not every dog will like it. The acidity found in lemons can cause irritation in your dog’s digestive system. There are quite a lot of videos on YouTube about dogs tasting lemon and jumping up and down. If you have found it hilarious and you are thinking of trying the same with your dog, then you are making a mistake because lemon can be toxic to your dog and you are putting your dog’s life at risk.
Excessive consumption of lemon can upset your dog’s tummy and can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Lemon can also cause depression and light sensitivity because lemons contain psoralen compounds and aromatic oils which are poisonous for dogs.
Since lemon is a rich source of vitamin C, you might think it is good for your dog. But the truth is dogs do not need to get the vitamin c from food, unlike humans, because dogs have the natural ability to make vitamin C on their own. So forget giving lemon for the sake of vitamin C benefit. If it is really essential you can add a bit of lemon juice to his water, especially during summer. Lemon juice can be diluted with water and sprayed on his body for repelling fleas.
To conclude, there is no necessity to give your dog lemon and harm his digestive system. If needed, you can add a small amount into his drinking water, or apply on his skin. Among citrus fruits, oranges are good for dogs, grapefruit is toxic for dogs and lemons need not be given to dogs. So if you have a lemon tree in your backyard, make sure you keep your dog away from it.
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