A delicious sip of cold lime juice is so refreshing.
The vibrant and bitter-sweet taste leaves your taste buds happy.
Although lime contains vitamins, you may want to share them with your furry friend.
But hold fast!
Although lime is concentrated with vitamin C an essential antioxidant, be frugal when sharing with canines.
So, is lime juice bad for dogs?
Yes.
Lime juice contains lime which is highly toxic to dogs.
Similarly, commercial lime juices have artificial sweeteners and added sugars unnecessary for your furry friend.
On the flip side, lime contains high vitamin C, which boosts immunity, prevents infection, and promotes glowing skin.
Consult your vet when your dog is exposed to large amounts of lime juice.
While lime juice is a nutritional addition for humans, do dogs benefit too health-wise?
This article will highlight why you should keep lime juice far from your furry friends.
Health benefits of lime juice for dogs
Boosts immunity
Vitamin C boosts your dog’s immunity by curbing allergies, and fighting toxins, bacteria, and viruses.
It also stimulates collagen production, which helps in wound healing.
Minimizes infections
Antioxidant properties in lime, such as limonoids, flavonoids, and ascorbic acids, help fight against free radicals that damage your dog’s cells.
This leads to a reduced prevalence of diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular attacks.
Promotes shiny coat
The increased collagen production supported by concentrated vitamin C in lime promotes a healthy and shinier coat for your canine friend.
Why is lime juice bad for dogs?
High sugars
Commercial lime juice contains added sugars like syrup for palatability which is a health hazard for your dog if consumed in large quantities.
These sugars are complex for your dog’s digestive system to process, risking obesity, diabetes, and dental problems.
Artificial sweeteners
Lime juices are filled with artificial sweeteners like xylitol which is lethal to your dog even in small amounts.
Xylitol poisoning can lead to low blood sugar and kidney or liver failure in a short period after ingestion.
Always check labels to ensure the ingredients in the lime juice are dog safe.
Lime poisoning
The citric acid found in lime fruits is highly toxic to dogs in large amounts.
Psoralen is a compound found in lime that causes poisoning when ingested by canines.
Mild symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea or drooling.
In contrast, severe signs include tremors, loss of coordination, and light sensitivity.
Excessive and prolonged exposure can lead to liver failure or death at worse.
What Is Lemon Toxicity in Dogs?
Lemon toxicity occurs when a dog eats enough lemons that its body can’t process all of the citric acid resulting from a breakdown of the fruit.
This can lead to acid buildup in their system, causing symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.
The toxicity is not limited to just eating the fruit.
The juice of lemons is also poisonous to dogs.
Several parts of a lemon can be potentially dangerous if ingested by your dog.
These include:
- The seeds: The seeds contain oil that is toxic to dogs, and they can be fatal if ingested in large quantities.
- The rind: This part of the lemon contains citric acid, which can cause gastrointestinal irritation and damage your dog’s digestive system.
- The leaves: While not as toxic as other parts of the lemon, should still avoid these as they contain glycosides (toxins) that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in dogs who eat them.
- The peel: Like humans, you should avoid peeling lemons in front of your dog as skin contact can irritate their mouth and tongue.
Symptoms of lime juice toxicity
The symptoms usually appear within 30 minutes of ingestion but can take up to six hours to manifest after ingestion.
If you notice your dog displaying any signs of lemon toxicity within six hours of eating lemons, please call your vet immediately.
Symptoms include;
- Cold limbs
- Excessive drooling
- Lethargy
- Incoordination
- Skin irritation
- Collapse
- Vomiting
- Lover failure
- Tremors
How Do You Treat Lemon Toxicity?
If your canine consumes moderate amounts of lime or lime juice, the symptoms will be mild.
Give them plenty of clean water in intervals to subdue the toxicity effects in their system.
However, if they consume large amounts and have severe symptoms (such as seizures or unconsciousness), contact your vet immediately.
Don’t induce vomiting unless instructed by your vet.
Skin exposure to lime peels requires treatment since the dog can absorb the toxins through the coat.
Your dog may develop skin irritation and rashes.
Treating skin exposure requires a thorough wash with clean water and mild soap.
Dry the dog and keep them warm, closely monitoring the symptoms of lemon toxicity.
What juices can dogs drink safely?
Here’s a list of vitamin C rich alternatives safe for your dog:
- Mango
- Asparagus
- Papaya
- Banana
- Applesauce
- Oranges
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can I put lime juice in my dogs’ drinking water?
No.
First, dogs don’t enjoy the sour taste of citrus fruits like lemons and limes.
In addition, lime juice contains elements like Psoralen, which is highly poisonous to canines in large amounts.
If you’re looking for vitamin C alternatives, applesauce and bananas are better options.
Can I spray my dog with lemon water?
No, you should not spray dogs with lemon water.
Dogs can absorb lime toxins through their skin which will affect their system.
Although lime water can reduce the effects of fleas, it’s not advisable to use it.
There are plenty of safe alternatives to minimize the effects of fleas on your canine pal.
Wrapping up
While there’s a food list unsafe for dogs when ingested, most are not dangerous when exposed to their skin.
Unluckily, each part of lime is lethal to your canine friend.
Not only should you avoid feeding them lime products, but ensure they don’t get exposed to any.
There are lots of nutrient-rich fruit alternatives to feed your dog than lime juice.
Talk to your vet for further advice on dogs and limes.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
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