Lemons are one of the most commonly found and popular citrus fruits out there. Although the fruit itself isn’t eaten, you can use lemons in a wide variety of ways. This fruit is known for its nutritional value, and including it in our diets does wonder for our health.
But just as any pet owner knows, when you eat something, you have your pet lurking in the corner expecting a taste of your food and will go to any lengths to sneak in a taste. dogs are no different. These social eaters will show a great deal of interest in what you are eating, and more often than not, you’ll find it difficult to protect your food from them.
Can dogs Eat Lemons?
But humans and birds differ a great deal. From their internal system to their dietary needs and tolerances, there are stark differences, and so just because a food is healthy for us doesn’t mean it is healthy for them. Surprisingly enough, this also applies to certain fruits and vegetables.
If you’re someone who enjoys the taste of lemon, does that mean you have to go around hiding your food from your bird? Will you have to sit in a secluded spot where your bird can’t find you to be able to enjoy this citric fruit, or is this a food that both you and your bird can enjoy? It is important to know the answer to all these questions in order to avoid putting your feathered friend at risk of health issues from feeding them the wrong food.
So without further ado, here are all your questions answered about dogs and lemons.
Are lemons dog appropriate?
When life gives you lemons, you can definitely share them with your dog! Lemons, as it turns out, are dog-friendly fruit and can be included in their diets. dogs enjoy the taste of lemon and will happily savor the taste of this fruit.
Not only are they safe and tasty, but lemons also have a lot of health benefits as far as your dog is concerned. So what makes lemons so great for our birds?
Health benefits of lemon for our birds:
Lemons are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, which make them one of the healthiest fruits there are. The positive effects they have on our dogs are endless.
Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which is needed to aid your dog’s immune system. Vitamin C makes their immune system strong and helps them fight diseases. It also works on preventing the possibility of cardiovascular diseases as well as the chances that your dog gets a stroke.
You might be a bit concerned about the amount of acidity present in this fruit, but it actually is beneficial in working against alkaline infections such as yeast infections. Lemons also support the bacteria that are needed for healthy gut flora.
Lemons can also be sour. Should that be a cause of concern when it comes to feeding them to our dogs? The sour taste in lemons comes from the pH and acids present in the fruit, and the pH is an essential indicator for the alkalinity or acidity of a food. For animals and humans, the average amount of pH is at 7. If the pH is too low, your body’s acid-base homeostasis has to work quickly to make up the pH difference; otherwise, the acid will burn your esophagus. The same thing happens in birds. While they can tolerate sour food, there are limitations, and if the food is too sour, it will put a strain on their health, and they might even suffer from digestive issues, amongst other health issues.
How can you include lemons in your dog’s diet?
There are a number of ways in which lemon can become a part of your dog’s diet. You can give them the fruit as a whole to eat, or you can use it as a seasoning for their food. You can even offer them lemon juice to mix things up a bit.
But you should keep one thing in mind. Lemons are not a staple part of your pet’s diet and should not be treated as such. Despite all of its health benefits, they will only do your dog good if lemons are given to them in moderation. Lemons should be treated as a snack and, more specifically, as an occasional snack. Too much lemon in your dog’s diet can have adverse health effects.
Do lemons have to be peeled?
Lemons don’t necessarily have to be peeled before being given to your bird. You will, however, have to ensure that the fruit is thoroughly washed in order to remove any lingering traces of chemicals. Organic lemons will ensure completely that there is no leftover pesticide.
You will also have to make sure that if you offer the lemon whole to your dog that it should not be too big, which can result in choking. You can cut them up into small pieces, so make eating them easier for your bird.
If your dog doesn’t like lemon peel, they are capable enough to peel the fruit themselves in order to reach the flesh of the fruit themselves. It boils down to your dog’s preference.
Lemons peels are good healthy food that your dog can eat. Their peels contain Limonene oil, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and even has anti-cancer properties as well. It is also known to be good for your dog’s health. The only hesitance comes from the fear of leftover pesticides, though.
Conclusion:
Thus conclusively, lemons make for a great snack to offer to your dog to mix things up during mealtime. However, if there is one thing you should keep in mind is that lemons are a snack and should be treated as such. Just because it has a long list of health benefits, it doesn’t mean you should feed it more than your dog requires. Proper doses will keep your dog healthy and happy.