Can dogs have lime?

Updated 25/04/2024

Packed with vitamin C and adding a tangy kick to marinades, cocktails and salads in the world of human food, we wouldn't be surprised if you've found yourself wondering - can dogs have lime like we people can? Or are limes a bad choice for canine snacking, just like their zesty counterparts - lemons? You'd be right if you've been leaving that sprinkle of lime zest out of your dog's bowl, as limes aren't safe for dogs. While a curious lick or two is unlikely to cause any nasty reactions, eating chunks of lime is bad news for our furry friends - take a look below to find out why.

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Are limes poisonous to dogs?

So can dogs have lime in any way, or is lime for dogs simply bad news all round? Well if your pooch seems particularly keen for a slice of lime, we regret to let you know that limes are toxic to dogs. They contain essential oils that, if consumed, will cause a variety of nasty reactions in your pup, including vomiting, diarrhea, and skin reactions. For more details on why limes are bad for dogs and what to do if you find your pooch clearing your fruit bowl, explore below.

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Why is lime bad for dogs?

So now we’ve settled the question - can dogs eat limes - let’s get into why they’re just so bad for our canine companions. As we’ve mentioned, limes contain essential oils that cause toxic effects in our furry friends. These oils are called limonene and linalool, and while simply giving off a pleasant scent to us humans, they’re in fact poisonous to dogs. Ingesting these compounds can result in a variety of nasty (yet avoidable) symptoms in your furry friend - take a look below for more on these.

Limes (and lime trees) also contain compounds known as psoralens which can cause phototoxicity or photosensitivity in dogs, which means their skin and eyes become hypersensitive to sunlight. So, not only will you need to keep your lime-filled fruit bowl out of paw's reach, you'll also need to make sure your pooch doesn't get too familiar with the lime tree in your back garden.

Related article: Can dogs eat bell peppers?

What to do if your dog eats lime

Thankfully not many dogs choose to eat a lime, as they don't particularly taste or smell that enticing to your furry friend. So maybe the question at hand isn't can dogs eat limes, it's will the fruit even appeal to your pup in the first place. Either way, should the worst happen and your pup somehow sneaks a few, we advise contacting your vet immediately. Try to have an estimate at hand on how much of the fruit your pooch consumed - this will give your vet a good idea at how severe any symptoms of toxicity might be. And if you're not sure, not to worry - contact your vet right away and they'll be able to advise you on the best next steps.

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Symptoms of lime toxicity

Below find the symptoms your pup might suffer from if they’ve decided to steal a few limes from your fruit bowl, and be sure to contact your vet - even if your dog hasn’t started displaying any symptoms yet.

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Weakness
• Lack of coordination
• Thirst
• Skin irritation

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Other citrus fruits

So, now we've settled your query - can dogs have lime, you might be wondering about other citrus fruits. Like with any food popular with us humans, we advise taking each fruit on a case by case basis, exploring their safety for canines in general, as well as your particular pooch and any health conditions they've got going on. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.

Other foods that are not safe for dogs

So dogs and limes aren't a match - we can agree on that. But what about the other foods dogs can't eat? Take a look below to get started.

• Marshmallows
• Pomegranate
• Pepperoni