All dog owners are trying to share as many beverages and food with their pets as possible. It is a nice and appealing possibility. However, not all things we eat and drink are safe for dogs. In reality, some are very bad. Can dogs drink lemon water? You probably believe that the answer is yes and that there is no need to worry about anything. Let’s see, are you right?
Can Dogs Drink Lemon Water?
If you think that the answer is yes, you are wrong. Can dogs drink lemon water? No, they should not drink this beverage at any given moment. First of all, most dogs will refuse to drink lemon water. They hate the smell and they will avoid it at all costs. But some dog owners may even try to force a dog or dilute it so much that a dog may drink it. One way or another, this is something you must never do. Even if your dog wants to drink it, do not allow him. It is toxic!
There are two main issues with lemon water and when a dog rinks it. The first is due to Psoralens. This is a compound that is beneficial for humans. It is commonly a part of psoriasis treatment. A bad thing is that this compound is toxic to all dogs. As a matter of fact, most other dogs don’t tolerate this compound either. That’s why lemon water is not ideal for all kinds of pets. Even horses must not drink this water. Yes, cats must not drink it either.
Limonene is another ingredient in lemons that is toxic to dogs. We can find it in the peel and this gives lemons the smell we all know. It is very dangerous for dogs. Sadly, it is very concentrated hence even a small amount can cause a lot of issues.
Some dog owners will give the lemon or the peel to their dog. They want to see an ‘’amusing’’ reaction. This is cruel and there is no need to tell you the obvious. Never do this.
What To Do If Your Dog Drinks Lemon Water?
Lemon water can cause certain symptoms that your dog will show. If he drinks a lot of it or is very sensitive to the two compounds from above, he will develop:
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Skin irritation
- Weakness
- Massive drooling
If you notice any of these and you know that your pet came in contact with lemon water, stay calm. There is no need to be terrified and run to the vet, not just yet. Monitor his condition. Make sure he has plenty of water to drink. Eventually, his body will remove all the toxins and he will be fine. But, if his symptoms are massive and he is not feeling better within a day or two, take him to a vet immediately. Perhaps he has a condition that made these symptoms worse or there is something else wrong with him.
You Can Use Lemon Water For Training
Believe it or not, you can use lemon water when training a dog. Now you can deduce better how ideal this beverage is for all dogs. All you have to do is to spray the lemon water on the area where you want your dog not to go. This is useful when you want to train him not to pee in a specific spot or go inside a specific room. In general, lemon water acts more like a repellent than anything else.
Two Safe Purposes of Lemon Water On Your Dog
There are 2 more cases where we can see that lemon water is beneficial for dog owners. The first one is that you can use it as a flea repellent. Just spray the water on his fur and rub it. Be careful and make sure it doesn’t come in contact with his eyes, ears, or nose. Fleas hate this odor and they will run away from your dog. It is actually a very successful method and one we really prefer.
The second purpose is for cleaning his coat. Lemon water is an effective method for cleaning the coat of a dog. It is effective in removing the oils, dirt and so much more from the coat. It will also disinfect the coat and make it stay perfect for a longer period of time.
We must add that once you are done, make sure your pet doesn’t lick the coat for a few minutes. Another thing to know here is that if a dog has an injury or a spot where the skin is damaged, you must not use lemon water for this purpose. It will irritate the area and cause a lot of pain and discomfort.
Two Possible Benefits Of Lemon Water for Dogs
Not all is bad in this case scenario. We can see two possible health benefits. The first one is Vitamin C. This vitamin is mandatory for a proper immune system, and the health of the skin, hair, and nails. It has positive effects on these humans and dogs. We can add that it is one of the most important vitamins out there. This is the reason why some people claim that you can add a little bit of lemon water to the water bowl of your dog.
The second health benefit is fresh breath. Dogs will eat everything they can and there is no easy way to stop it. Sadly, there is no easy way to prevent or solve bad breath either. Lemon water can help. The effects are not massive but they are present.
The Final Word
Can dogs drink lemon water? Theoretically, they can and they can get 2 health benefits. In reality, the answer is no. The issues and the risks are much higher than the benefits so this is a beverage you will have to avoid giving to your dog. After all, there are a lot of much better and safer foods and beverages that will provide Vitamin C and a lot of other vitamins, minerals, and more without any risks.