Many pet parents enjoy drinking lime juice alone or mixed with other ingredients. Lime can be a refreshing drink, as well as good for your health! But what happens if a dog drinks lime juice? Can lime juice make a dog sick?
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Has your dog drunk lime juice? Are you worried the lime juice will make him sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog drinks something like this.
In this article, we’ve put together some information about lime juice and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Lime Juice?
Lime juice comes from the lime, which is a citrus fruit. Limes are usually shaped a little bit like lemons but are more rounded. There are many varieties of limes; however, they are all acidic and taste sour. Limes contain large amounts of vitamin C and other nutrients, which are healthy for humans.
Limes have been used and enjoyed for thousands of years. They first were popular in Southeast Asia and South Asia. From these places, they spread to the rest of the world.
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In the 19th century, limes were used to fight scurvy in British sailors who suffered from this disease on long voyages. From there, the fruit has become loved and appreciated for use in desserts, beverages, and more.
But what happens if a dog drinks lime juice? Can lime juice make a dog sick?
Lime Juice & Dogs
Unfortunately, limes are not suitable for dogs because they contain limonene and linalool. These substances are toxic for dogs.
If your dog takes a lick or two of lime juice, chances are he will be OK. However, if your dog drinks a larger amount of the juice, he could become very sick.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Lime Juice Toxicity in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has drunk lime juice:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Liver failure
- Depression
- Collapse
- Loss of coordination
- Low blood pressure
- Rash/skin irritation
- Weakness/lethargy
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, then call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Be sure to let the vet know about how much of the juice your dog drank and about what time this happened. This information can help the vet determine the next steps to best help your dog.
The vet will treat your dog for symptoms as they arise, as there’s no antidote for lime poisoning. The goal is to remove the lime juice from your dog’s system. This can be done through the use of gastric lavage, activated charcoal, and more.
The good news is that most dogs, who receive prompt medical care, will make a full recovery.
Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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