Can dogs have lemons?

Updated 15/04/2024

Adding a tang to our salad dressings, cakes and desserts, lemons certainly sit firmly in the land of 'people food'. In fact, they're laden with health benefits for us, despite their almost insufferable tang when eaten alone. So with this many foods containing lemon, you might have wondered - can dogs have lemons? Or are they toxic to dogs, for some reason? Well while we'd be surprised if your pooch pines for the fruit, we can safely say that dogs shouldn't eat lemons. Why? Well citric acid can actually poison your pup, plus the skin and rinds can cause a serious gastrointestinal obstruction as well as toxicity. So, while a small dab of lemon might not be enough to do your pooch any harm, there's really no benefit to sharing any with you doggo (but there are a bunch of risks). 

Related article: Can dogs eat cucumbers?

Are lemons poisonous to dogs?

So can dogs have lemons if they're served in a specific way, or is the citrus fruit always going to be unsafe for canine consumption? Well (not that your pup will mind - lemons don't exactly call their name, anyway), lemon juice is toxic to dogs, as well as the rind. So, for that reason, we don't see any reason to give your pup even the smallest amount of lemon, even if it's a piece of the fruit's flesh.  

How much lemon is toxic to dogs?

Even just a few small pieces of lemon can result in an upset stomach for your furry friend, so if you think your pup might have somehow nabbed a slice or three, get in touch with your vet to avoid as many nasty symptoms as you can.

Related article: Can dogs eat oatmeal?

Why are lemons bad for dogs?

So can dogs have lemons in some way, or are they always bad for dogs? The latter, (not so) sadly. Lemon juice (which is of course found in the flesh) contains high amounts of citric acid which is toxic to dogs, so it's certainly a good thing that your furry friend seems to turn their snout up at the smell.. And it's not just the lemon flesh you need to be wary of around your doggo - don't be tempted to chuck down a rind for your pup to gnaw on. Not only could it easily cause choking, it contains a compound called psoralen which is also poisonous to dogs. So, if you think your pup might have (for a reason unknown to us!) eaten part of a lemon or lapped on lemon juice, you'll need to contact your vet as soon as possible, even before symptoms of toxicity arise.       

Related article: Can dogs have honey?

What to do if your dog eats lemon

So now we've settled the question - can dogs eat lemon - you might be wondering what the best move is if you suspect your pup has somehow eaten all or part of a fresh lemon, some lemon juice, or even a product containing lemon. Don't be tempted to take matters into your own hands (unless you can gently remove the piece of lemon from your dog's mouth, of course). Instead, contact your vet immediately, and make sure you don't wait for any nasty symptoms to arise. Time is of the essence when your pup has eaten something they shouldn't have, so get professional advice as quickly as you can.

Related article: Can dogs eat green beans?

Symptoms of citric acid poisoning in dogs

 Lemon for dogs is poison, especially if it's pure lemon juice they're lapping up. It's seriously high in citric acid, which can cause symptoms of toxicity - find a list of these below.

• Vomiting.
•  Diarrhea.
• Confusion.
• Drowsiness.
• Loss of consciousness.

Related article: Can dogs eat cashews?

Meet our veterinary expert, Hannah

This article has been checked by veterinarian Dr Hannah Godfrey BVetMed MRCV.

Hannah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and worked in mixed practice for a few years before focusing on small animal work. Clinically, she worked in a busy, multi-center hospital practice until 2018, where she underwent training in advanced canine and feline dentistry and began working towards a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. She then moved to a local independent practice to care for the pets nearby, allowing more time to focus on other career avenues, which include writing for a diverse range of pet websites, vet practices, drug companies, journals, and veterinary educators. 

Other citrus products

You might be wondering whether dogs can have citrus fruits of other kinds, or if dogs and citrus simply don't mix. Well fortunately for your pooch (because let's face it, limes aren't exactly at the top of their 'to try' list), all fruits containing citric acid are toxic to dogs, so don't consider trying your pup with oranges, limes or grapefruit.  

Other foods that are not safe for dogs

Now that we’ve reviewed the question - can dogs have lemons - why not take a look at some of the other foods dogs can't eat? Get your notepad out and get started with those below. 

• Cat food
• Almonds
• Tuna