It’s natural to want to share treats and snacks with our dogs. But we must ensure what we give them is safe. So, can dogs have lemon? Citrus fruits like lemons can be good for dogs in small amounts but toxic if fed excessively or incorrectly. The flesh of lemons is safe for dogs to eat in small quantities, but most dogs aren’t attracted to citrus flavors or aromas. If you feed your dog lemons, remove the pith and rind. Eating small amounts of lemon is safe and can have benefits. However, overfeeding or feeding too often can be toxic.
How much lemon is toxic to dogs? As long as lemon flesh is limited to small quantities, it isn’t toxic. Feed small amounts of the flesh and avoid lemon juice. Feed lemon or other citrus fruits occasionally rather than daily.
RELATED: The dangers of xylitol poisoning in dogs.
Why Lemon is Good for Dogs: 5 Benefits. If your dog enjoys lemon, there are some benefits when eaten in small quantities. Here are the big benefits of lemons for dogs: Rich Polyphenol Content: Most of the benefits of lemon for dogs come from polyphenols – compounds found naturally in fruits and other plants. Dogs can’t digest polyphenols directly. They travel to the colon where bacteria break them down into healthy by-products like short-chain fatty acids. Many scientists believe polyphenols are one reason why diets rich in fruits and vegetables protect people from cancers, heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses. Balances The Gut: Polyphenols feed the friendly bacteria in your dog’s gut. They can also bind to harmful bacteria to prevent their growth and help the friendly bacteria thrive. Quercetin, a powerful polyphenol in lemon, can stop bacteria like E coli from growing. Reduces Oxidative Stress: Free radicals can build up in the body, causing oxidative stress and premature aging. Antioxidants like flavonoids and vitamin C in fruits like lemon can help fight this oxidative stress. Feeding lemons and other fruits may help protect your dog against stress and environmental toxins. Inflammation Support: Chronic inflammation is a common problem in dogs and is linked to cancer, heart disease, joint disease, and autoimmune diseases. Polyphenols have anti-inflammatory properties and can be a natural tool to protect against common inflammatory illnesses (1). Anti-Cancer Properties: Polyphenols can fight cancer cells by inhibiting DNA methylation, which is a major driver of cancer. They can also control cancer cell growth and division, and reactivate silenced genes in cancer cells to cause their death – a process known as apoptosis. FAQ: Here are some common questions from pet-owners about whether lemons are safe for dogs. Can Dogs Eat Lemon Rinds? No, dogs should not eat lemon rinds as they contain psoralen, a compound toxic to dogs. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog has eaten a lemon rind. Can Dogs Have Lemon Juice? No, dogs should not have lemon juice as it is much more concentrated in citric acid compared to the flesh of the lemon. Consuming too much citric acid isn’t safe for dogs as it can lead to digestive problems and dental erosion. Can Dogs Have Lemon Chicken? It’s best to avoid feeding your dog lemon chicken as it is probably flavored using lemon juice which could be toxic due to high citric acid content. If artificial lemon flavoring was used, it could contain xylitol which is highly toxic and life-threatening for dogs.Dogs should not have lemon yogurt. This is because lemon yogurt is likely flavored using lemon juice or artificial lemon flavoring, which is toxic for dogs. Additionally, flavored yogurts are usually high in sugar. In general, we don’t recommend feeding your dog yogurt as many dogs are also lactose intolerant. References: Hussain T, Tan B et al. Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: What Polyphenols Can Do for Us? Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016;2016:7432797.
