Can Dogs Eat Limes? 3 Risks of Limes for Dogs

Limes are not safe for canine consumption. All parts of these green sour citrus fruits are toxic to dogs and can cause lime poisoning. The high amounts of citric acid and the essential oils in limes can irritate your dog’s digestive system. Luckily, these tiny fruits' bitter and sour taste will help keep a curious dog from consuming a large amount. Still, it’s best for dog owners to keep limes away from pets to protect their health.

Limes are poisonous to dogs for a variety of reasons. Your pooch will likely turn away from the strong odor and sourness of lime, but it is helpful to know the health risks and symptoms to look for in case your dog eats lime.

1. 1. Essential oils: Like other citrus plants, including lemons and grapefruits, lime peels contain the aromatic oils limonene and linalool. Limonene can cause damage to the liver and kidneys of a dog, and linalool can cause abnormally low blood pressure and hypothermia, a dangerous lowering of body temperature. Typically, your dog will only experience negative effects if they ingest pure citrus oil extracts, but it’s best to keep citrus peels away from them just to be safe.
2. 2. Sugar: Limes and lime juice are reasonably high in sugar, which can be detrimental to your canine companion. Too much sweetness, especially if consumed as juice, can negatively affect your dog’s metabolism and contribute to high blood sugar, diabetes, heart problems, and excessive weight gain.
3. 3. Acidity: Lime juice also contains a high amount of citric acid. Unlike humans, which can process the citric acid found in lime and lemon juice relatively easily, dogs can accumulate too much, leading to bloating, irritation of their gut and throat, and strain on their organs.

Limes are high in vitamin C, and while this potent antioxidant can boost the immune system, other compounds threaten your dog’s health and outweigh the benefits of vitamin C. Dogs can safely consume other fruits, including watermelons, apples, and bananas.

If your dog eats a loose lime, they may show signs of the following health issues:

1. 1. Stomach upset: One of the immediate symptoms of a negative reaction to consuming lime fruit is an upset stomach. The compounds in lime, including the high concentrations of citric acid, can cause heartburn, acid reflux, indigestion, and other side effects.
2. 2. Acute poisoning: Due to the intensely sour flavor of limes, it’s unlikely a dog would ingest enough to cause severe poisoning, but it is possible. Dogs may exhibit a range of symptoms, from lethargy to vomiting, excessive drooling, diarrhea, loss of coordination, low blood pressure, and tremors. Poisoning can lead to serious conditions, like liver failure.
3. 3. Phototoxicity: Psoralen, a compound found in lime peels and the leaves of lime trees, can cause adverse reactions in dogs, such as rashes and discoloration. If your pooch gets psoralen on their skin, exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun can cause painful skin irritation.

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

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