Fruit
Can dogs eat limes?
Need to share. Lime flesh is very acidic, and the peel and plant contain oils and psoralens that can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
Why Citrus essential oils (limonene, linalool) and psoralens
By Maya HartIf your dog ate some
- A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset.
- Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell.
- For cats, or if peel was eaten, call your vet.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Drooling
- Skin irritation
- Sensitivity to light
How much, how often
Avoid.
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of the day’s calories. Work out your pet’s calories
Serving it safely
- Keep cocktail garnishes away from pets
- Be careful with lime-flavoured drinks — alcohol is far more dangerous
Dogs and cats, side by side
Dogs In moderation
No need to share. Lime flesh is very acidic, and the peel and plant contain oils and psoralens that can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
How much: Avoid.
The details
Limes turn up in drinks and garnishes rather than as snacks, so the bigger risk at a party is usually the alcohol or other food alongside them. A lick of lime juice will simply make a dog pull a face. A cat chewing a lime wedge, or exposed to lime essential oil, may drool and vomit.
Safer treats your dog can have instead
Apples
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Blackberries
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Questions owners ask
Can dogs eat limes?
No need to share. Lime flesh is very acidic, and the peel and plant contain oils and psoralens that can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
How much limes can a dog have?
Avoid.
What makes limes risky for dogs?
Citrus essential oils (limonene, linalool) and psoralens.
What are the signs to watch for in dogs?
vomiting and diarrhoea, drooling, skin irritation, sensitivity to light.
What should I do if my dog ate limes?
A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset. Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell. For cats, or if peel was eaten, call your vet.
Is limes safe for cats too?
No. Citrus oils and psoralens are toxic to cats.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
More foods for dogs
Apples
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Bananas
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
Strawberries
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Oranges
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- Toxic