Dogs eat a lot of stuff they shouldn’t.
While some human foods are safe for dogs, in moderation, others are outright toxic and should not be fed to our fur babies.
Citric acid is one of those human foods that dogs should not indulge on.
Why is citric acid harmful to dogs?
For a start, dogs don’t like the tangy flavor of citric acid.
Also, some citrusy foods contain a higher concentration of citric acid than others.
The citric acid in high amounts can be very toxic to a dog.
Citric acid can irritate your dog’s digestive system.
Furthermore, the leaves, stems, rinds, and seeds of most citrus plants contain toxic compounds.
These toxins can cause instant vomiting and diarrhea in a dog.
Which citrus foods are safe for dogs?
If possible, keep your dog away from any food with citric acid in it.
Though citric acid is a high source of vitamin C, there are other foods your dog can eat and obtain the same vitamin.
Fruits like oranges and mandarin have a low concentration of citric acid.
They are safe for your dog as long as he does not overindulge.
But be careful of the high sugar content in citrus fruits like mandarin oranges.
Other less citrusy foods are safe for dogs include;
- Mandarin orange
- Clementine
- Grapefruit
- Blood orange
- Bergamot orange
- Pomelo
Though these fruits are low on citrus, they are high on sugar.
Only feed as a treat and not the main course.
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On the other hand, do not give your dog any fruit with a high concentration of citric acid.
Such foods include;
- Lemon
- Bitter orange
- Meyer lemon
- Citron
- Lime
- Key lime
- Kaffir lime
- Sweet lemon
The tangy smell and flavor of these fruits will likely repel your dog.
But in case your dog eats the skin, seeds, or rind of these fruits, rush them to a vet immediately.
Can dogs eat dried citric acid?
Citric acid powder should not be given to dogs. It is highly acidic and will cause instant stomach upsets in dogs.
Citric acid poisoning may also cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Also, keep your pup away from any drinks or foods with citric acid powder in them.
There are better alternatives for vitamin C that won’t cause any health issues in your dog.
Great sources of vitamin C for your dog include;
- Sweet potato
- Oily fish such as anchovies, herring, salmon, sardine, and mackerel
- Kale
- Pumpkin
- Carrots
Granted, your pooch loves to snack on the same foods as you.
But be careful with citrus foods because they can cause gastrointestinal issues in your dog.
Alternatives like sweet potato are mild, delicious, and have enough vitamin C for your dog.
