Lime
CautionDo not feed limes to dogs. The ASPCA lists Citrus aurantifolia as toxic to dogs for its essential oils and psoralens, and the AKC singles out lime rinds and their oils as the dangerous part.
This food guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian. It summarises general information from sources and should not be used to decide whether a food is suitable for an individual dog or to assess an emergency.
Check before feeding
Check the precautions before sharing
Risk depends on preparation, ingredients or amount. Read the precautions below; body weight alone cannot establish a safe portion.
Signs and health concerns
This list includes both observable signs and conditions identified through examination or testing. It cannot establish the cause or whether an exposure is safe.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Drooling
- Tremors
- Intestinal blockage
- Skin inflammation
More about this food
Limes are not a treat. Most dogs dislike the smell and the sourness enough to leave them alone, so the real exposures are the spent wedges from a cutting board, the slice out of a drink, and the peels sitting in an open trash can after taco night.
The ASPCA lists lime (Citrus aurantifolia, family Rutaceae) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, naming essential oils and psoralens as the toxic principles, with vomiting, diarrhea, depression and potential dermatitis as the clinical signs, plus the note that the fruit is edible while the skins and plant material cause problems. The AKC frames it the same way in plainer terms: limes are not instantly deadly, dogs do not like the taste or smell, but high levels of citric acid can cause gastrointestinal upset or central nervous system depression in quantity — and lime rinds and their oils are dangerous, so dispose of them where your dog cannot reach.
The signs the AKC tells owners to watch for are lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, intestinal obstruction, tremors, and excessive drooling. Psoralens are photosensitizing, so oil on the skin plus sunlight can produce redness or dermatitis on top of the gut signs.
If your dog swallowed rind or a whole wedge, note the amount and time and call your veterinarian, an emergency clinic, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Repeated vomiting, abdominal pain, or no stool passing points toward obstruction. Do not induce vomiting at home. If the lime came out of a margarita, gin and tonic or a Corona, the alcohol is the more urgent problem — say so on the phone, because even small amounts can drop a dog's blood sugar and body temperature. Lime essential oil and lime-scented cleaners are their own emergency: VCA lists citrus oil among the oils poisonous to dogs and warns against inducing vomiting or giving activated charcoal.
Frequently asked questions
- My dog ate the lime wedge out of my drink. What do I do?
- The rind alone is worth a call, but the alcohol matters more. Even a small amount can cause hypoglycemia and hypothermia in a dog. Tell your vet or the APCC at (888) 426-4435 what the drink was, roughly how much, and when.
- He only chewed a little rind. Is that still a problem?
- The rind holds the highest concentration of essential oils and psoralens. Any vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, tremors or wobbliness means call now. Even without signs, a large amount of swallowed peel is worth a call because of the obstruction risk.
- Can I add a splash of lime to my dog's water in summer?
- No. Citric acid irritates the stomach, and the AKC notes that larger amounts can cause central nervous system depression. Plain cool water is the safest thing you can give a dog in the heat.