The majority of dog parents are super conscious about what they feed their pets. But that doesn’t stop them from being curious about whether their furbaby can eat more human stuff, like fruits and vegetables.
Can dogs eat lemon cookies? It’s best not to feed your dog lemon cookies. While lemons aren’t toxic for canines, all citrus fruits include citric acid and psoralen compounds (found in the skin and pith of lemons) which can be harmful to dogs in large quantities. Do not feed a dog lemon zest.
How your pup will react to ingesting a lemon cookie will also depend on its weight and stomach sensitivity. Although, there’s no need for you to get anxious just yet. That’s because we’re going to discuss all things lemon and canine in this article.
What’s the Deal With Dogs and Lemons?
You’d think lemons were harmless for canines, considering how beneficial they are for humans. Lemons contain Vitamin C and can actually help improve digestion (in humans), so why is consuming lemons in large quantities harmful to Fido?
So, I’ve already covered that lemons (and other citrus fruits) contain citric acid, which may upset your doggo’s digestive system.
Apart from that, lemons also contain linalool, limonene, and a phototoxic (skin-irritant) compound called psolarens. While eating the flesh of a lemon or lemon juice in small quantities may be okay for dogs, ingesting larger amounts of the fruit can cause lemon poisoning (yes, that’s a thing).
Symptoms of lemon poisoning in canines include:
- Diarrhea
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Drooling (excessive)
- Low blood pressure
- Cold limbs
- Rashes or skin irritation
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Tremors
- Liver failure
As you can see from the symptoms list, lemons are definitely a fruit you want to keep away from your hound. Additionally, even the smallest amount of lemon can induce symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and light sensitivity for canines with sensitive stomachs.
If you suspect your canine has ingested lemons and is displaying any of the symptoms mentioned above, it’s best to take Rover for a visit to the vet asap.
Can Dogs Eat Lemon Cookies?
To understand whether your pupper can ingest lemon cookies safely, I’ve gathered up the common ingredients of the treat and will tackle them one-by-one for a thorough analysis.
1. Flour
Let’s just say you can’t have cookies without flour. And, more often than not, lemon cookies call for the use of all-purpose flour.
While your fluffy friend may not derive any nutritional benefits from eating treats made from flour, most dogs can tolerate it well. However, you want to stay from all types of wheat flour if your pooch has a wheat allergy. And, anything in excess that your dog wouldn’t normally eat is bad for them.
2. Sugar
For self-proclaimed sweet lovers, sugar makes the world go round, and most dogs would agree because canines have the ability to taste sweet, sour, and bitter.
You can feed your pet sugary treats in a small amount, but beware that sugar is linked to obesity in dogs. Giving your pet too much sugar can also cause diabetes and rot your canine’s teeth.
3. Lemon Juice/Zest
You don’t want to feed your dog lemon juice in large quantities or very often, but it should be okay in small amounts if your dog doesn’t have a sensitive stomach.
However, never give your pet any treat that includes lemon zest because it includes oils and chemical compounds that are toxic to dogs and can lead to rashes and skin irritation.
4. Vanilla Extract
Most vanilla extracts on the market contain a high level of alcohol, which is pretty toxic to dogs. Because canines can’t break down alcohol in their systems, your dog may get alcohol poisoning if it consumes too much of the extract.
You can avoid this roadblock by using vanilla beans to flavor your furbaby’s treats or use an alcohol-free vanilla extract (with vegetable glycerin).
Most of the ingredients in lemon cookies aren’t exactly healthy or nutritious for dogs, and some can lead to health concerns in large quantities. That’s why it’s a smart move to not take any chances with your pet’s health and instead give them treats made specifically for them.
Related Questions
If you’re on the lookout for some healthy fruity treat options for your furball, take a moment to go through the following FAQs and discover more.
Are Apples Bad for Dogs?
Apples can make a nutritious and tasty snack for your canine, and even for other omnivorous animals like hedgehogs, and they can help with your pet’s oral hygiene (bye-bye, bad breath and dirty teeth). However, always remember to remove the apple core and its seeds before feeding your dog apples.
Apple seeds contain cyanide, which can be released when the seeds are chewed.
Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?
Feeding your pooch strawberries is a very good idea because these yummy berries are filled to the brim with nutrients like Vitamin C, fiber, and even a tooth-whitening enzyme. However, like anything else, don’t feed strawberries to your dog in excess.
Thoroughly wash your strawberries and chop them into bite-sized pieces (to avoid choking hazards) before serving them to your canine.
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