Citrus fruits have always been a delightful and versatile type of food. They contain a lot of benefits such as vitamins and minerals for us humans.
Most of the time, citrus fruits contain vitamin C, which is essential in strengthening our immune systems.
While we will eat some citrus fruits, like an orange or grapefruit, others like lemons and limes are usually not eaten directly. Instead they are often used as a garnish or to inject some flavor into the main dish. They are also used in certain alcoholic beverages.
In this article we’ll focus on limes. If we have a dog that shows interest in having one, is that okay? Can dogs eat limes? In this article we will tell you whether lime is safe for dogs to eat. We will tell you if this food has healthy benefits or if it has harmful effects to our dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Limes?
The short answer is no! Dogs must absolutely not eat lime. It is a really bad food for dogs.
There are many types of fruits that are not good for dogs such as grapes, apricots, avocados, etc. Limes are included in that list of foods to avoid giving your dog.
Limes are a bad food for our furry pooches. They are considered toxic for our dogs.
Precautions To Take When It Comes To Dogs and Limes
It is important to note that you must avoid feeding your dog lime peels, in particular.
Peels of lime may contain harmful bacteria and are hard to digest. Feeding them the peel can cause obstruction in the stomach.
Additionally, the peels contain essential oils that are toxic to our dogs.
Similarly to the peel, the seeds and pits of limes are also toxic to dogs.
Limes and other citrus fruits like lemon and lime are highly acidic. This can cause an upset stomach for your dog.
The citric acid is so high in limes that it can cause digestive problems for dogs. Side effects of this include vomiting, loose stool and more.
Are There Any Health Benefits of Limes For Your Dog?
But it’s not all bad news. Even though limes are a big no-no for our furry little friends, the actual fruit portion of the lime does contain a number of benefits for dogs.
Limes are very rich in certain minerals and vitamins. Additionally, limes are rich in Vitamin C, Fiber, Choline and Potassium.
Limes are rich in Vitamin C, as we have previously mentioned. Vitamin C is great for strengthening a dog’s immune system as well as their bones.
Limes also contain a good amount of potassium. Potassium can keep your dog’s bones strong and healthy.
This fruit is a great source of fiber. Fiber helps in solving a dog’s digestive problems. Foods rich in fiber such as lime can help against bowel movement problems.
However, with the risks of feeding a dog lime, there are better food options that can deliver these benefits to your dog without the risk of toxicity.
Which Citrus Fruits Can I Give to My Dog?
There are many other citrus fruits out there that are bad for dogs such as lemons and grapefruit.
However, while we advise that you should avoid giving limes to dogs, there are alternative options for citrus fruits. Oranges and clementines and mandarin may be good if given in small amounts.
So if you want a citrus treat for your dog, then choose oranges instead of lime.
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs
This article is part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?”
In the next article, find out can dogs eat lima beans?
