The exact method for making lemon chicken may vary from country to country, but the end result is always the same: deliciously crispy chicken doused in a tangy lemon sauce. Yes, but what about canines? Is it okay to feed dogs this Italian special?
when something is wrong, can dogs tell?
Is it safe to feed a dog chicken marinated in lemon juice? Chicken with lemon is not something a dog should eat. The meat is overly dry and fatty, the lemon sauce is overpowering, and the extra spices are annoying or even poisonous. So, it’s safe to say that dogs shouldn’t eat lemon chicken.
Dogs and lemon chicken are the topics of discussion in this article. We will go over each ingredient and the science behind why it may be harmful or toxic. And finally, we’ll talk about what could happen if someone accidentally eats too much of it.
Can Dogs Eat Lemon Chicken?
Dogs obviously can’t eat lemon chicken, so that’s out of the question. While plain boiled chicken can improve a dog’s health, the lemon chicken recipe is overly processed and enriched with potentially toxic ingredients. The method of preparation (frying) also contributes to the dish’s unhealthiness.
Can dogs eat lemon meat?
Sorry, but lemon meat is not dog-friendly. Meat for dogs must be boiled and served plain, without any seasoning or citrus juice. Lemons are too acidic and can cause stomach irritation in canines.
Can dogs eat lemon chicken bones?
No, chicken bones should never be given to dogs. Dogs aren’t great chewers, so don’t feed them chicken bones. It’s therefore likely that splinters from chicken bones will cause harm to the digestive system. In the same way, chicken bones can cause suffocation.
Can dogs eat lemon chicken skin?
Lemon chicken skin is not safe for dogs. The skin of a chicken is not fit for human consumption at all. There is a lot of fat and seasoning and spices in the skin. Therefore, there are multiple reasons why dogs shouldn’t eat chicken skin.
Why Is Lemon Chicken Bad for Dogs?
It has already been established that dogs should not eat lemon chicken. Now that you know the dish is bad for dogs, let’s go over the problematic ingredients so you can see why.
Ingredient number 1: Butter, oil, and fats
Because it is traditionally cooked in butter, it should come as no surprise that lemon chicken is high in fat. Both baking and frying are used in different recipes for lemon chicken.
Both lead to excessive body fat. One common cause of pancreatitis is eating too much of a food that is high in fat. Being overweight is a long-term effect of eating too much fat.
Ingredient number 2: Salt
The chicken with lemon and garlic will taste bland without the salt. Many versions of lemon chicken sold in restaurants are enriched with soy sauce, making them even saltier.
One teaspoon of soy sauce is enough to poison a small dog because of how high in salt it is.
Ingredient number 3: Sugar
To my surprise, the lemon sauce calls for sugar. Dogs can’t digest sugars because their stomachs weren’t made for it.
When given in excess, sugar can cause gastrointestinal distress and excitability in canines. Obesity and Type 2 diabetes are just two of the long-term effects.
Ingredient number 4: Black Pepper
Among the many spices used in chicken dishes flavored with lemon, black pepper is a staple. Sprinkling a little bit of pepper on your dog’s food won’t hurt him, but if you add too much, he might get an upset stomach and diarrhea.
Black pepper, which has a high piperine content, has been linked to more serious cases of peptic ulcer disease in the gastrointestinal tract.
Ingredient number 5: Garlic and onion
Onion and garlic are also essential seasoning additions to the lemon chicken. Both of them have ingredients that are toxic to the dog’s red blood cells. Damaged red blood cells are unable to carry out their normal function and are subsequently removed from circulation, leading to potentially fatal anemia.
Ingredient number 6: White wine
It’s common practice to add a splash of wine to chicken lemon recipes. Dogs should not drink wine because it is poisonous to them. Wine poisoning is a life-threatening emergency that needs to be seen by a vet right away. Alcohol poisoning in a dog causes the animal to act in ways that are comparable to those of a human who has consumed too much alcohol.
Ingredient number 7: Lemon juice
To put it bluntly, dogs shouldn’t eat anything that contains lemon juice. The acid in lemon juice will irritate the dog’s digestive tract, leading to stomach upset and other unpleasant symptoms like excessive drooling and vomiting.
Furthermore, due to its high acidity, lemon juice can cause a shift in the body’s acid-base equilibrium. Lemons are toxic to dogs and should never be given to your pet.
Toxic chemicals in lemon that are harmful to dogs
There are components in lemon that are toxic to dogs.
Those things are:
Limonene
Limonene is a clear, colorless liquid with a lemony, piney aroma.
Used as a flavoring, it can be found in citrus fruits.
Dogs should avoid it because it may be toxic to them.
Large doses can be toxic to the liver and cause stomach pain.
Psoralen
Psoralens are compounds that, when combined with ultraviolet light, can trigger skin allergies in dogs.
Furthermore, it results in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, urination, depression, weakness, and anemia.
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After being exposed to psoralen, these symptoms typically manifest within 24 hours.
Liver and kidney damage can occur if your dog is repeatedly exposed to or consumes large amounts of lemon.
Linalool
Linalool, extracted from lemons, has a potent citrus aroma and is used as a flavoring agent.
According to the FDA, if a dog consumes too much linalool, it could be fatal.
Symptoms include nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.
When consumed by dogs in large quantities, linalool can have devastating effects on their central nervous system, leading to depression and even death.
What Happens if A Dog Eats Lemon Chicken?
Imagine that your dog jumped up on the table and scarfed down a plateful of freshly cooked lemon chicken. Any conscientious pet owner would naturally be concerned about what comes next.
A dog’s reaction to eating lemon chicken may or may not be predictable. The most crucial ones are as follows:
- Traditional dog food may contain ingredients that are toxic to or irritating to a dog’s digestive system; these are replaced in the modern version of the recipe by the lemon chicken.
- Obviously, the more lemon chicken the dog eats, the worse the effects will be.
- The effects of lemon chicken on dogs vary depending on their size; in small dogs, even a very small amount can be toxic, while in large dogs, it takes a lot more to cause problems.
- The dog’s overall health (stronger dogs have better resistance, while dogs with multiple health problems are more at risk for dangerous complications).
To sum up, the effects of eating too much lemon chicken can range from a minor stomachache that goes away on its own to a potentially fatal overdose. In the event of an incident, it is strongly suggested that you contact your vet immediately and follow their instructions.
Other healthy foods to give your dog instead of lemon chicken
Protein-rich eggs are a wonderful treat for your canine companion. Essential nutrients like fats and cholesterol can be found in the egg yolk. Nonetheless, your dog should not be fed egg whites because they provide no nutritional value.
Carrots Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which the dog’s liver processes into vitamin A. Moreover, they contain a lot of fiber, which aids dogs with digestive issues like bloat and diarrhoea.
Oatmeal is an excellent source of fiber, making it a useful aid in both weight management and gastrointestinal health. It’s also a good source of manganese, zinc, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as vitamins B and E.
Broccoli- Broccoli is a great way to get your vitamin C and strengthen your immune system to ward off illness. Also present is vitamin K, which aids in preventing blood clots and promoting bone health. Antioxidants like beta-carotene and lutein can be found in abundance in broccoli and help prevent cell damage from free radicals.
Apples are safe for dogs to eat in moderation because they digest them quickly and have no ill effects. However, unpeeled apples contain cyanide that can damage your dog’s organs if given in large doses.
Dogs can get all the amino acids they need from a diet of plain chicken, making it a great protein source. It is a good source of the B vitamins and the minerals phosphorus, iron, and zinc (which all work together to keep you from getting anemia).
Summing Up: Can Dogs Lemon Chicken?
Canines should not eat chicken marinated in lemon juice, unfortunately. Although this food is common in many cultures, it should not be fed to dogs due to potential poisoning. The recipe is still unhealthy for dogs regardless of whether or not the potentially harmful ingredients are included.
So, no matter how much your dog begs, you shouldn’t ever give it lemon chicken on purpose. In the case of accidental ingestion (the dog getting into the trash or eating something it shouldn’t), you should contact your vet right away.
White, plain, boiled chicken is the best option if you want to feed your dog chicken. To round out the meal, throw in some cooked rice, broccoli, and carrots.