Canine cookie aficionados, do you exist? You may be wondering, though, if giving them lemon cookies is a good idea.
Dogs have a wide range of acceptable dietary options, but there are also some foods you should never give them. Now the question is, are lemon cookies safe for dogs to eat?
We’ll talk about the pros and cons of giving your dog lemon cookies in this piece. In addition, we’ll give you advice on how to ensure your dog’s health and safety.
Can Dogs Eat Lemon Cookies?
I have gathered the typical components of the treat and will examine them individually to determine if your dog is safe to eat lemon cookies.
1. Flour
Let’s just say that without flour, there would be no cookies. In addition, all-purpose flour is typically used in lemon cookie recipes.
Even though your fluffy friend won’t get any nutritional value out of flour-based treats, most canines have no problem digesting them.
Nonetheless, if Fido has a wheat allergy, you should avoid feeding him any food that contains wheat flour. The same goes for giving your dog an excessive amount of food that it normally wouldn’t eat.
2. Sugar
Canines can taste the full range of flavors, including the sweetness, sourness, and bitterness that human beings take for granted.
Small amounts of sugary treats are fine, but be aware that sugar causes obesity in dogs. A dog’s teeth can rot and diabetes can develop if you feed it sugary treats too often.
3. Lemon Juice/Zest
If your dog doesn’t have a sensitive stomach, it should be fine to give it small amounts of lemon juice on occasion.
Lemon zest contains oils and chemical compounds that are toxic to dogs and can cause rashes and skin irritation, so you should never give it to your pet as a treat.
4. Vanilla Extract
The alcohol content of most vanilla extracts on the market makes them dangerous for dogs to consume. Your dog could get alcohol poisoning if it ingests too much of the extract because its digestive system is unable to process it.
To get around this problem, try flavoring your pet’s treats with vanilla beans instead of vanilla extract, or use an alcohol-free vanilla extract (with vegetable glycerin).
Dogs shouldn’t eat too many lemon cookies, because they contain many unhealthy ingredients, some of which can be dangerous in large doses.
. Since this is the case, it’s prudent to ensure your pet’s wellbeing by only feeding them treats designed for animals.
What’s the Deal With Dogs and Lemons?
The numerous human health benefits of lemons might lead you to believe they are safe for dogs. Why is it bad for Fido to eat too many lemons if they are high in vitamin C and can aid digestion in humans?
In the previous section, I mentioned that the citric acid in lemons (and other citrus fruits) could cause stomach problems for your dog.
Lemons also have psolarens, a phototoxic (skin-irritant) compound, as well as linalool and limonene.
Dogs may tolerate small amounts of lemon flesh or lemon juice, but excessive consumption of either can lead to lemon poisoning.
In dogs, symptoms of lemon poisoning include:
- Diarrhea
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Excessive drooling
- Anemia Low Blood Pressure
- Frigid limbs
- Diseases of the skin or rashes
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Tremors
- cirrhosis of the liver
The list of symptoms makes it clear that lemons are dangerous for your dog. Dogs with delicate stomachs shouldn’t be exposed to any amount of lemon; even a tiny bit can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and photophobia.
If you notice any of the above symptoms in your dog and suspect he or she has consumed lemons, don’t delay in taking Rover to the vet.
Risks Of Feeding Lemon Cookies
Dogs can get sick from eating lemon cookies for a few reasons.
- Poor health choices because of the cookie’s sugar content
- Sticky cookie ingredients can cause dental problems.
- Harmful components of lemon flavorings, such as the oil extracted from the peel or the essential oil.
- Reactions from food allergies if ingredients like nuts or dairy are included.
Your dog should not eat any human food that has been seasoned or sweetened with human ingredients.
There are commercial dog treats available that are made to meet the nutritional requirements of dogs, and there are also many recipes for homemade dog treats that can be found online.
Before introducing any new foods into your pet’s diet, you should consult with your veterinarian.
Can dogs eat lemon seeds?
Avoid giving your dog lemon seeds at all costs. When consumed in large quantities, the small amounts of cyanide they contain can be fatal to dogs.
The seeds are also hard for a dog to digest, which can lead to a blockage or obstruction in the digestive tract.
If your dog has consumed lemon seeds, watch for any signs of illness and take them to the vet immediately.
Also, some pets have sensitivities to citrus fruits like lemons, so they shouldn’t be given too many of them as treats too often. For the sake of your pet’s health and safety, you should never give them lemon seeds.
Can dogs eat lemon yogurt?
Do not give your dog any lemon yogurt. Even though yogurt is generally considered safe for dogs, many yogurts are sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners, which can lead to gastrointestinal distress in canines.
Citric acid, which is present in lemon yogurt, may also irritate a dog’s sensitive stomach and cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Lemon yogurt has no nutritional value for pets and may cause stomach upset if given to them regularly.
As a treat, plain yogurt without any added sugars or flavorings is best for your dog.
Can dogs eat lemon ice?
Lemon ice cream is not safe for canine consumption. Because of its high sugar and fat content, ice cream is generally thought to be unhealthy for pets.
Also, most ice creams have milk or cream, both of which are hard for a dog’s digestive system to process and can lead to stomach problems.
Citric acid, which is found in lemon ice cream, can irritate a dog’s sensitive stomach and cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Ice cream is not healthy for pets, and giving it to them can be dangerous if they consume too much of it.
Choose plain yogurt that hasn’t been sweetened or flavored to give to your dog as a treat.
FAQs
You can learn more about healthy fruity treat options for your furball by reading the frequently asked questions below.
Are Apples Bad for Dogs?
Apples are a healthy and delicious treat for your dog, and they can also be beneficial for the dental hygiene of other omnivorous pets like hedgehogs (goodbye, bad breath and dirty teeth).
Remember to always peel the apple and remove the core and seeds before feeding it to your dog.
As you chew on an apple seed, its cyanide content is released.
Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?
Strawberries are a great treat to give your dog because they are loaded with nutrients like vitamin C, fiber, and even an enzyme that helps whiten teeth. Strawberries are healthy for dogs, but don’t give them too many.
Before giving strawberries to your dog, make sure you wash them thoroughly and chop them into small pieces so they won’t choke.
Wrapping Up
I think you should be able to answer the question confidently now: can dogs eat lemon cookies?
Do not give your dog any lemon cookies. Because of the high levels of sugar and other additives, these treats should be avoided.
Instead, look into canine-safe homemade recipes that use all-natural ingredients or canine-specific snacks that are formulated for their specific nutritional needs.