With their sour, citrus flavor you would think that limes would be an interesting treat to give your dog some variety in their diet. While most humans don’t eat plain limes for fun, our pups might enjoy that opportunity.
So, can dogs eat limes? Dogs should never be given limes. Every part of the lime including the flesh, skin, and juice are dangerous to our pups. Even them coming into contact with a lime or a lime tree itself should be avoided as it can irritate their skin. If your dog does consume a lime, contact your vet immediately for further instructions.
It’s important to remember, that even with the best of intentions, accidents happen and dogs can easily eat things they shouldn’t. Unfortunately, even if those accidents aren’t fatal, they can result in huge, unexpected veterinary expenses. That’s why we recommend all responsible dog owners get a free, online pet insurance quote from Healthy Paws.
Are Limes Good For Dogs?
For humans, limes are filled with vitamin C which helps keep our immune system functioning strong. Not only that, but limes have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties which can help keep us healthy. Can dogs take advantages of these health benefits? Sadly, due to limes being toxic for our four-legged friends, the answer is no. That’s ok, as your dog should be getting all their daily nutrients from their normal dog food anyway.
Are Limes Bad for Dogs?
Yes, limes are toxic for dogs and as a result are very dangerous. Every part of the lime is toxic to dogs including the peel, flesh, juice, zest, etc. The reason for this is that limes contain the essential oils limonene and linalool as well as a compound called psoralen. These ingredients, while safe for humans, can be extremely dangerous when consumed by dogs.
Symptoms of lime poisoning in dogs can include diarrhea, excessive drooling, cold limbs, collapsing, lethargy, liver failure, loss of coordination, vomiting, weakness, and many more. To be on the safe side, contact your local veterinarian immediately if you believe your dog has consumed limes or lime products.
Other Varieties & Related Foods:
Key Lime Pie
No, limes are toxic to dogs and no lime products should ever be consumed. Additionally, even if they were safe the added sugar in most pies make them a no-no for feeding to your dog.
Key Lime Yogurt
While plain, unsweetened, non-fat yogurt is safe and even has valuable health benefits for your dog, you should never feed them key lime or lime flavored yogurt. This is because limes are extremely toxic to pups and even exposure to lime-products can put your dog’s health at risk.
Lime Juice
No! Dogs should never be given limes or lime products to eat or drink. Consuming lime juice can be risky and even fatal to your pup, so keep them away at all costs!
In Conclusion: Can Dogs Have Limes?
Absolutely not. Not only should you never feed your dog limes, but you should be very careful when storing and disposing your limes to make sure your dog never comes in contact with them. Limes (as well as some other citrus fruits) are a serious threat to dogs and you should contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog manages to get access to them.
Want to Learn More?
Check out these related articles from our “Read Before You Feed” series for more advice on safe foods for dogs!
Disclaimer: We are not veterinarians and this article should not be taken as medical or veterinary advice. If you have any questions about your pet’s health or dietary needs, please contact your local veterinarian.
