Can Dogs Eat Lemons?

No, dogs shouldn’t eat lemons. While lemons are not toxic, they can cause digestive upset, so it’s best to avoid sharing lemons with your dog. However, if your dog does manage to eat some, don’t panic—it’s not dangerous.

sliced and a whole lemon with leaves and a dog

Table Of Contents

Are lemons safe for dogs?
- Lemon flesh is not toxic to dogs
Potential risks and side effects of lemons for dogs
- Dogs don't like citruses
Symptoms of lemon ingestion in dogs
FAQs

Let’s start with my favorite myth-busting section: citruses are highly toxic to dogs. I broke down this topic when I wrote about whether dogs can eat limes and explained that the flesh itself is not toxic to dogs.

Only the lemon or lime peels and leaves have the toxic compounds. There are two toxic elements that you need to know about. One includes the essential oils – limonene and linalool that are concentrated in the lemon peel. The other is called psoralens, also concentrated in the peel and in tiny amounts in the flesh. So, your dog most likely won’t ever get lemon poisoning!

This is true for other citruses as well, and dogs can eat tangerines and even grapefruit if they want. They are not toxic. They are just not recommended since they are acidic and can cause digestive upset.

Are lemons safe for dogs?

Lemons are not toxic to dogs, and they are considered safe, although the lemon peel is toxic. To clarify, I would say lemons are safe for dogs, but they are never recommended! Here’s why. According to ASPCA, lemon peels are toxic to dogs because of the psoralens and essential oils I mentioned before. The lemon flesh, on the other hand, has smaller concentrations of these compounds, so it’s not considered toxic.

So, the lemons we eat and the lemon juice are safe for dogs, though they are not recommended as they are sour, and the acid can cause stomachache!

Lemon flesh is not toxic to dogs

Lemons and other citruses aren’t toxic to dogs. The peel, stems, and leaves contain toxic essential oils and compounds that can be dangerous in large amounts. If your dog eats lemon flesh, don’t worry—at worst, they may experience some digestive discomfort.

Potential risks and side effects of lemons for dogs

Even though lemons aren’t toxic to dogs, they can still cause some issues, but only if eaten in huge amounts. This most likely will never happen, as dogs hate lemons and don’t want to eat them. However, if your dog somehow eats a huge amount of lemons, this is what can happen:

Gastrointestinal upset: The high citric acid in lemons can upset your dog’s stomach. If your dog drinks lemon juice or eats a lemon, they might end up with vomiting or diarrhea. This most likely won’t happen if they get into something like lemon pie since the concentration of lemon is way too low.

Essential oils: Lemons are packed with essential oils like limonene and linalool. In large quantities, these can be toxic to dogs, but don’t worry—it’s mostly concentrated in the peel, and your dog would need to eat a lot for it to be a real issue. That said, if you use essential oils at home, never apply them directly to your dog. Seriously, never!

Dental issues: Lemon acid isn’t just hard on your dog’s stomach—it can be rough on their teeth, too. But a one-time accident isn’t going to cause any harm, so there’s no need to panic.

Dogs don’t like citruses

Dogs really don’t like citruses, and it’s highly unlikely that your dog will have a significant amount of lemons to ever experience lemon toxicity.

Symptoms of lemon ingestion in dogs

As I said, dogs will rarely touch lemons, but in case something odd happens and you think that your dog ate a lot of lemons, there are clear signs that you can watch out for.

While lemon poisoning in dogs is extremely rare, lemons can still cause some discomfort. If your dog eats lemon, here are some symptoms of lemon poisoning in dogs that might show up:

Drooling: Your dog might drool a lot as a reaction to the sour taste or irritation.

Vomiting: Citric acid can irritate the stomach, leading to vomiting.

Diarrhea: Too much lemon can cause diarrhea.

Skin irritation: If your dog gets into the lemon peel, you might notice redness or irritation.

If your dog ate a lemon, the worst you’ll see are some mild symptoms like tummy ache. However, if the symptoms seem more severe or you’re unsure what to do, it’s always a good idea to call your vet.

Love, life, and fur forever!

FAQs

Can dogs drink lemon juice?

No, they can’t! Lemon juice is sour and acidic and will upset their stomach and cause vomiting or diarrhea. However, lemon juice is not toxic, so you don’t need to worry too much. Plus, dogs will most likely never touch lemon juice.

Can lemon hurt dogs if applied topically?

Yes, lemon can cause skin irritation if applied topically to dogs. The essential oils in lemons, like limonene, are harsh and cause redness and itching. Never apply lemon directly to a dog’s skin, especially avoid lemon essential oils!

Are lemon-flavored products safe for dogs?

Lemon-flavored products are generally safe for dogs, but if we’re talking about cookies or candy, they usually come with tons of sugar and artificial ingredients that are bad for dogs.

Can lemon be used as a natural flea repellent?

No! Don’t ever spray your dog with lemon oil or other lemon essential oil products!