Can Dogs Eat Limes? Is It Safe?

When living in the wild, canines stick to a meat-based diet. Sometimes, they add small amounts of berries and fruits to their menu. But what if you notice your pet asking for limes or lemons? Is it a good idea to give your pooch citrus fruits?  

Why can limes be dangerous for dogs? 

Apart from fructose and water, fresh fruit contains vitamins, acids, and various micronutrients. These substances themselves are not harmful to dogs. They are eliminated from your pet’s body by the liver and kidneys and don’t accumulate in body cells. However, limes, like other citrus fruits, are not the best treat for your furry baby. 

Large amounts of acids found in them negatively affect the gastrointestinal tract. What’s more, in case of individual intolerance to certain components contained in limes, your dog can have an allergic reaction. It might be discharge from the ears and eyes, skin irritation, or vomiting. Quincke’s edema is the most dangerous complication. It poses a threat not only to the health but also to the life of your pet.   

If you are wondering whether dogs can eat limes, then the answer is yes. But keep in mind citrus fruits like limes contain components called psoralenes. The highest concentration of psoralenes is found in the zest, core, and seeds. They cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and when ingested in large amounts, can cause sensitivity to light, unsteady gait, profuse salivation, and tremor. Remember: if you notice any allergy or food poisoning symptoms, take your dog to the veterinarian. 

But the components that can be naturally found in limes aren’t the only problem. Citrus fruits are sometimes harvested green and often ripen during transportation and/or storage. To prevent them from rotting and to keep them in marketable condition for as long as possible, they are often treated with certain chemicals. These substances can be harmful to your pet’s health: 

  • Biphenyl. Organic substance, crystals usually dissolved in water. It has no specific odor, taste, or color. This makes it hard to notice it on your limes. The chemical is used to prevent fruits from molding and isn’t toxic to humans. When ingested by a dog, however, it can lead to a variety of digestive disorders. 
  • Volatile substances: Sulphur dioxide, methyl bromide, various fungicides. These gases used to treat citrus fruits make them ripen faster. They can be used separately but the use of multiple substances isn’t uncommon. They kill adult insects and their eggs, mold spores, and pathogens. It’s up to the company exporting the fruit to decide whether or not to use them. Normally, chemicals shouldn’t penetrate the fruit pulp and juice. At the same time, during transportation, synthetic compounds deposited on the zest can penetrate the edible part of the fruit. Therefore, the longer it takes to transport the products, the higher the concentration of harmful substances in the fruit pulp. 

Citrus fruits are especially harmful to dogs when they are highly acidic. When taken excessively, citric acid depresses the central nervous system and disrupts the endocrine profile. As a result, dogs become depressed and sluggish. The vitamins contained in these fruits are simply not enough to compensate for the harm the citric acid can do.

If your pet has chronic diseases of the urinary or digestive system, don’t give him limes – or any citrus fruits. Large quantities of organic acids increase the production of gastric juice. This can cause the mucous membrane of the stomach to break down. What’s more, sucrose can cause digestive upset, diarrhea, and vomiting and citric acid corrodes tooth enamel.

A healthy dog’s body promptly eliminates all potentially toxic substances through the kidneys or neutralizes them in the liver. If consumed regularly and in large quantities, limes can keep the organs from coping with the increased load, which may cause hepatic and renal failure in your dog. 

Recommendations and precautions

If your dog accidentally licks a lime, it’s unlikely to cause any serious health issues. This doesn’t mean, however, that limes and lemons should become a part of your pooch’s diet. It’s possible to replace them with other fruits and berries that are harmless for your pet (in small quantities). For example, dogs can eat:

  • Pears  
  • Apples 
  • Blueberries 
  • Currants 
  • Melons 
  • Gooseberries 
  • Rosehip berries 
  • Watermelon 
  • Bananas

On the other hand, there are plant-based foods that you shouldn’t give your pet under any circumstances:

  • Avocado 
  • Quince 
  • Persimmons 
  • Peaches 
  • Plums 
  • Pomegranates 

Living close to humans, dogs get understandably interested in what their owners eat. From time to time, they express a desire to try certain foods. In an attempt to diversify your pet’s diet, you as a dog owner must remember that any excess can be unhealthy. Before offering your pet a treat, make sure it does no harm.

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