so my pup, Max, just sniffed out a lemon slice I dropped and actually tried eating it. his face was priceless! my partner says it’s fine but i’m skeptic. are lemons safe or should Max stick to his usual gourmet kibble?

Hey there! First of all, Max’s reaction must have been adorable. 😄 I’m glad you reached out with your questions. So, here's the scoop on dogs and lemons: lemons themselves aren’t toxic to dogs, but they can be quite sour and sometimes cause a little tummy upset.

If Max only had a nibble or two, he's likely to be just fine. Keep an eye out for these symptoms just to be safe:

• Mild stomach upset like vomiting or diarrhea
• Excessive drooling
• General discomfort

If Max shows any of these signs, it’s usually not an emergency. Most of the time, they will pass on their own. You can offer plenty of water to help flush the taste from his mouth, which might help if he's drooling a lot.

However, if he ate a significant amount, or if you notice symptoms like severe vomiting, lethargy, or any strange behavior, you’d want to contact your vet right away. Fortunately, significant issues from eating lemons are rare.

With little incidents like this, it's generally a good idea to monitor Max closely for a few hours. Lemon homes may be okay momentarily, but gourmet kibble is definitely the safer choice for his daily diet.

If you're unsure or your pup’s symptoms worsen, it's best to book a call with a vet on Dial A Vet for professional advice.