When it comes to fruits and vegetables, there are so many we can enjoy. But our dogs are a bit different in what they can safely enjoy. And while some of us are big time fans of citrus and in particular lemons, when it comes to our pups, we need to know just how safe lemons are for our dogs to eat.
Now maybe it is just me, but I have definitely seen those Reels and Tik Toks where a dog owner takes a piece of lemon and gives it to their pup to film their reaction. And while sometimes, those reactions are certainly funny, we can’t help but worry about whether or not it is actually safe.
So are lemons safe for our dogs? Can they eat them? And even if they can, are they really okay in the long run?
Is it safe for our dogs to eat lemons?
According to what we found with the help of the Chewy Blog, it turns out that dogs can in fact eat lemons. However, they are definitely not a fruit that they should be consuming in large quantities. In fact, while it may be safe in general, it can still cause “GI distress.”
"The acidic fruit can cause upset stomach, vomiting, weakness and diarrhea if large quantities are ingested. Large quantities can cause other issues, too."
While many fruits may offer some nutritional benefits to dogs, when it comes to lemons that is not the case at all. And considering lemons actually contain more sugar than a strawberry (thank you Snapple facts for this tidbit that we ran with), it does make sense that we would want to be careful when it comes to allowing our dogs to ingest this acidic fruit.
But we want to know what you think. Are you surprised that lemons can cause GI issues? Have you ever given lemon to your pup?