Can Dogs Eat Lemons? No — Peel, Seeds and Oils Are Toxic

Why lemons are bad for dogs

The ASPCA lists lemon as toxic to dogs and cats, naming essential oils and psoralens as the toxic principles. Those compounds are concentrated in the peel, the white pith, the seeds and the leaves. The AKC adds that lemon juice is a concentrated source of citric acid, which irritates a dog's stomach.

The flesh itself is not considered toxic, but it is so sour that it offers a dog nothing except a likely stomachache. The ASPCA notes that eating a small amount of citrus fruit usually causes only minor stomach upset, while larger amounts of citrus plant material can cause depression of the nervous system.

The warning: rinds, essential oils and lemon products

A dog that chews a whole lemon gets a dose of the peel's oils and psoralens, and the AKC warns that swallowed rinds can also cause an obstruction in the stomach. Lemon essential oil is much stronger again: the AKC notes its d-limonene and linalool can cause gastroenteritis and, in serious exposures, liver damage.

Keep lemon essential oil, diffuser refills, lemon-scented cleaning products and citrus air fresheners away from dogs, and never apply citrus oil to a dog's skin or fur, since direct contact can cause irritation. Lemon bars, lemon cake and lemonade are sugary and are best kept off the menu too.

Spreading a few safe pieces across a snuffle mat or packing them into a puzzle toy turns a small treat into a few minutes of sniffing work.

If your dog ate a lemon: what to do

Take away any remaining lemon or peel, rinse your dog's mouth with water if it is drooling, and work out how much was eaten, including whether the rind was chewed. A lick of juice or a small bite of flesh usually needs nothing more than watching for an upset stomach.

Call your vet the same day if your dog ate a whole lemon, a lot of rind or seeds, or anything containing lemon essential oil. The AKC advises contacting a vet right away for a whole lemon or rind. You can also call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply.

Signs of lemon trouble and their timing

The ASPCA lists vomiting, diarrhea and depression as the main signs after eating lemon plant material, and skin irritation after contact. Vomiting and drooling usually start within a few hours. Some dogs also develop red, irritated skin around the mouth.

Repeated vomiting, diarrhea that will not settle, wobbliness, weakness, unusual sleepiness or a dog that is off its food after a lemon exposure should be seen by a vet the same day. Exposure to lemon essential oil, especially if your dog seems unsteady or lethargic, is a reason to call straight away.

Puppies and dogs at higher risk

Puppies chew whatever they find, and a dropped lemon from a fruit bowl or a lemon tree in the yard is the right size to become a toy. Their small size makes the peel's compounds and the risk of an obstruction more serious, so keep fallen fruit picked up and lemon trees fenced if your puppy roams.

Dogs with sensitive stomachs, acid reflux or a history of pancreatitis or liver disease should have no lemon at all. If your dog is on medication or a prescription diet and got into citrus, mention it when you call your vet, since it can change what they advise.

Is there any safe way to share citrus, and better treats

The ASPCA notes that a small amount of citrus fruit usually causes only minor upset, and many dogs tolerate a peeled, seeded segment of orange as an occasional treat. Lemons and limes are a different matter because they are so acidic and so often eaten with the peel, so it is simplest not to offer them.

For a fresh, juicy treat, try a few blueberries, a slice of seedless watermelon with the rind removed, apple slices with the core and seeds removed or cucumber. All are low in calories and easy on the stomach.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.