Spoiler : There ’s a intellect why most dogs ca n’t stand even the smell of lemon .

detent eat just about anything , but that does n’t mean it ’s good for them . If your whelp recently scarf a lemon ( or lemon bars , patty , or lemonade ) , you ’re believably wonder if you ’re in for anemergency ex-serviceman visitant looseness of the bowels duty .

We askedLeslie Bass , DVM , veterinarian and medical manager ofVCA Algiers Animal Hospitalin New Orleans : Can dogs exhaust stinker ? She explains why dogs should n’t corrode citrus fruits or foods and what to do if your dog has accidentally eaten some .

dog with background of lemon slices; can dogs eat lemons?

Photo: natthapol / amixstudio / Adobe Stock

Are Lemons Safe for Dogs?

" Some food that are poisonous to pet can surprise you , " say Bass . " lemon are n’t deadly to dogs in small amount of money , but you should decidedly prevent your pet from eat them . " Lemons contain multiple compounds toxic to dogs admit citric dot in the fruit and psoralen in the rind .

Large quantities of citric acid can do digestive symptoms such as an upset tummy , vomiting , anddiarrhea , Bass aver . And large spell of lemon rinds can create a obstruction in the gut , which is an hand brake .

Can Dogs Have Lemon Juice or Lemon Oil?

Like the yield , stinker succus and lemon yellow petroleum contain substances that are harmful to wiener . Ingesting them can leave to serious or even animation - peril tummy trouble . Lemon succus or oil on a hotdog ’s tegument can cause aggravation , too .

Even permeate lemonessential oilfor aromatherapy in your home can be unpleasant for pups . The flavor of citrus is naturally repulsive to canine ( as you may seein this picture ) , which is why some sprays to finish undesirable eyetooth behavior curb a citrus smell .

What To Do If Your Dog Eats Lemon

Dogs do n’t usually exhaust citrus yield because they do n’t care the smell . It ’s more common for whelp to get into a batch of lemon bars or some other intellectual nourishment that contains lemon extract , oil color , or succus . If your furry pal eat on gamboge or lemon - base foods , the best thing to do is to call your veterinary .

" How much lemon your firedog ate and your favourite ’s oecumenical health and system of weights affects the treatment , " Bass says . " It ’s really important to call your veterinary surgeon as soon as possible , specially if your dog ate a mess of lemon yellow or lemony food . In most guinea pig , veterinarians commend inducingvomitingto avoid toxicity . But time is of the essence . "

Can Dogs Eat Other Citrus Fruits?

Avoid giving your dog any citrus fruit for the same cause why you would n’t want your pup to corrode lemon tree — they hold back citric Zen and other chemical substance chemical compound that can be harmful to your favorite ’s digestive system and liver .

For an occasional treat , take moredog - well-disposed fruitlike orchard apple tree andbananas . Fruit comprise natural sugar , which dogs do n’t need . Too much of it can lead to weight gain , so give fruit in moderation . For more frequent kickshaw , get through for veggies , which are of course low in sugar . Safe veggies for dogs includecarrotsandbroccoli .

The bottom line : A little bit of lemon tree is nothing to worry about . But there are better , good , tastier options for your pup — I that wo n’t make your doggie sick . So , when savour citrus fruit and foods yourself , keep them out of your dog ’s grasp and rather feed your furred chum a dog - well-disposed yield or veggie .