Dogs are among the most playful pets we know.
They would nibble on our slippers, play with whatever is on the ground, and wag their tails furiously at anything.
All for the fun of it. It’s cute how carefree they are, but we must always closely supervise them.
There are things that are just bad for dogs’ welfare.
We know that spoiled foods are bad for them.
Chocolates are a no-no. How about a lemon cake?
Dogs Vs. Lemons
There is a popular Youtube Video in 2018 that features a “funny compilation” of dogs reacting violently to lemons.
Is this a harmless prank or animal abuse?
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty (ASPCA) has a database that contains the plants that are dangerous to dogs.
The list includes lemons.
Dogs, like many pets, don’t like lemons.
And for good reasons, too.
The acidic content of lemons can cause digestive problems in dogs.
However, Lemon cakes may not be dangerous to your dogs if they only took a bite.
As the lemon zest is already diffused with the cake’s other ingredients like butter and milk, its citrus content is already significantly cut down.
Lemons contain a naturally occurring compound in citrus fruits called Psoralens.
It is considered toxic to dogs.
Any citrus fruits are not recommended for dogs, either.
Orange remains an exception though — it contains high levels of sugar.
Too much orange can lead to obesity though, so you might want to moderate your dog’s intake of it.
The experts would recommend you keep the lemon cakes to yourselves.
Learn More:
Signs of Psoralens Poisoning
Psoralens Poisoning is like an allergic reaction to humans.
The graveness of the condition depends on the amount of lemon or lemon cake your dog has ingested.
The following are the signs of Psoralens Poisoning:
- Weakness
- Drooling
- Inability to walk
- Muscle tremors
If the signs persist, visit the veterinarian.
Conclusion
Be careful with what you feed your dogs.
Be watchful with whatever you leave lying around, too.
They are playful and would try anything once for the fun of it.
But you know better. A lemon cake, after all, is not worth a visit to the doctor!