can dogs eat lemons

Dogs should not eat lemons. While the fleshy part of lemons is not outright toxic, the high acidity and compounds in lemons can irritate a dog's digestive system, causing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset. The lemon peel and rind contain toxic substances such as psoralen, limonene, and linalool, which can be harmful and cause more serious problems like liver damage or intestinal obstruction. Most dogs naturally dislike the sour taste and strong citrus smell of lemons, which usually prevents them from eating it voluntarily. Lemon juice is particularly concentrated and toxic to dogs, so it should never be given to them. If a dog does ingest lemon or lemon peel in any quantity, it is advised to monitor for symptoms and contact a vet promptly if any distress occurs.