Can Dogs Eat Lemon Pepper Chicken? An Experts’ Advice
Chicken undoubtedly is an awesome treat or food for dogs as they provide your pooch with lots of protein while chewing on the uncooked bones can be effective in cleaning the dog’s teeth if they hate the toothbrush. As good as chicken can be when it is prepared with lemon spice, it presents a plethora of hazards for your pet.
Lemon pepper chicken is considered bad for your dog for the following reasons: it is made with a lemon zest which is poisonous to dogs. Also, the threat of black pepper is very much alive, as it could irritate the dog’s nostrils. This article will provide you with all the information you need to know in regard to lemon pepper chicken and dogs.
What is lemon pepper chicken?
Lemon pepper chicken to me is more of a kitchen art than food to me, as I always get excited each time I get to mix up the lemon pepper spice(which is made of lemon zest, black pepper, onion, salt, and garlic) and chicken.
Due to the fact that most companies don’t like to list what they put in their lemon pepper seasoning, I prefer to make my own seasoning at home, so I could be in charge of what I’m eating.
Can Dogs Eat Lemon Pepper Chicken?
No, your dogs should not eat this tasty delicacy that is not safe for them. Chicken can be effective in resolving issues with digestion and help keep the dog’s teeth clean, but when you consider pepper, lemon, garlic, salt, and onions present in this delicacy; you find out that it is unsafe for your dog.
You may not consider lemon pepper chicken to be harmful to your dog since you might have shared some with them and they didn’t show any signs of toxicity, but it is good to note that spices provide your pooch with no nutritional benefit whatsoever, so it is not wise at any point to hand your dog some.
Risk of Lemon Pepper Chicken For Dogs
There are lots of risks that lemon pepper could pose to your dog: Lemon peel contains psoralen which is toxic to dogs if ingested; it could lead to digestive upset in dogs. Also, lemon pepper chicken has piperine, a naturally occurring compound in black pepper which makes it pungent; this means that, if your dog ingests any food that has lemon pepper spice, it will experience gastrointestinal tract irritation and physical symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and other signs of lemon poisoning may occur.
Let us look at the ingredients used in making lemon pepper chicken and how they may affect your dog’s health.
Lemon Zest
This is one of the main ingredients used in creating lemon pepper spice. The zest is taken from the outer layer of the lemon which is referred to as flavedo. This layer is quite rich in natural oil and has an intense flavor, and when compared to the main lemon juice, it is less acidic.
Lemons are used as repellents for feral dogs and indoor dogs who you don’t want to access certain places in your house. This goes a long way to show you that lemon could interfere with how your dog processes its environment; affecting its respiratory system.
Psoralen, limonene, and linalool are the toxic compounds found in lemon that could cause your dog so much discomfort and even skin burns as psoralen can be phototoxic. These compounds can be used for a host of things: flavoring, citrus fragrance and even to treat the disease of the skin, but you shouldn’t let your dog ingest any bit of it. Below are common lemon poisoning symptoms:
- Cold limbs
- Photosensitive
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Low blood pressure
- diarrhea
- Depression
If you notice multiple symptoms at once, or if you feel your pooch has nibbled on some lemon, you should get in contact with your vet, and they should be able to tell the particular ingredient in the lemon pepper chicken that is sickening your dog,
Black Pepper
All peppers are not bad for dogs, dogs could enjoy some pepper without experiencing a burning sensation or pungent flavors or aroma. Ad this safe pepper that dogs could enjoy is ball pepper as it has vegetable-like properties.
Black pepper can pose a great risk to your dog if consumed in large quantities as it can disorientate your dog and cause an upset stomach, but it is technically safe for your dog to consume a little bit.
Salt
Salt can be harmful to your dogs if eaten in large quantities as it can make the dog highly thirsty and could also lead to sodium poisoning. The right amount of sodium your dog should consume daily is 0.25g/100g and 1.5g/100g, Symptoms of sodium poisoning includes: diarrhea, weakness, and vomiting.
Salt in moderation is safe for dogs, and from my personal experience dogs can take a liking to salty foods or snacks, but this doesn’t mean you should give above their daily requirements. Commercial foods are usually best to give dogs since the right amount of everything is included, but it is likely that your homemade lemon chicken will have a higher-than-acceptable amount of salt for your pooch.
Onion And Garlic
What could be more tragic than lemon for dogs? Garlic and onions. These two ingredients are popular amongst chefs across the globe, but they are not safe at all for your dogs. Onions and garlic have a compound called N-propyl disulfide that causes anemia in dogs( depletes their red blood cells).
My Dog Ate Lemon Pepper Chicken And Is Showing Signs Of Poisoning, What Should I Do?
Knowingly or unknowingly, your dog may have nibbled on some lemon pepper chicken from your plate or the bin, what should you do?
Don’t panic
When your dog ingests substances that are not safe for them like roach poison, they may not show symptoms immediately, but in severe cases, they will show pain, so if you find them going through excruciating pain or in an uncomfortable state, don’t panic!
Speak To The Vet
Don’t start administering any home remedies except you’re a professional or you have been assisted to resolve such issues in the past by your vet, as you could end up making matters worse. Once you’re able to keep your cool, take note of all the symptoms your pooch is experiencing and communicate it to your vet right away. Your vet will decide if they should assist you through first aid or if you should come over.
Following up
After your dog overcomes poisoning, supportive care is paramount. You should also administer any medication made available promptly and watch the dog for any abnormal changes.
Alternative to lemon pepper chicken for dogs
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a nutrition-packed treat for dogs, as they provide them with those essential vitamins and minerals such as fiber which helps resolve digestive problems, and Beta carotene which is an antioxidant and can also boost the immune system.
Roasting the seeds without adding salt will give you lots of treats to dole out for a long time, while also providing your dog with some nutrients.
Guava
Guava has a lovely taste that is enjoyed not only by humans but also by our cats and dogs. Guava is packed with Vitamin C and it contains lots of dietary fiber which make it great to treat constipation in pets. Depending on individual dogs, some may like the guava with or without the rind.
Oats
Oats are another healthy alternative to lemon pepper chicken for dogs. To get it prepared, cook the oats according to the instruction on the package. once cooked, let it get cold then you could add some water; making it a porridge. You can get creative and add some shredded chicken, fish, or meat to make it a complete dog meal.
Is lemon pepper chicken bad for dogs?
While giving dogs a few pieces of basic, cooked chicken is typically harmless, it is not advisable to give them lemon pepper chicken. This cuisine frequently contains ingredients that are hazardous to dogs, like garlic powder and onion powder. The lemon flavor may also be overly acidic for your dog’s stomach, resulting in digestive problems.
It’s better to stick with plain, cooked chicken without any additional additions if you want to feed your dog chicken. If you have any questions regarding your dog’s diet or if you observe any symptoms of sickness after giving your dog new foods, you should always visit your veterinarian.
Can dogs eat lemon pepper rotisserie chicken?
Lemon, pepper, salt, and numerous other spices are frequently used to season lemon pepper rotisserie chicken. Dogs may be harmed by some of these ingredients, particularly salt and specific spices.
Furthermore, rotisserie chicken is frequently prepared with the skin on, which can be fattening and cause pancreatitis in canines. Cooked chicken bones can also splinter and damage a dog’s digestive tract, which is quite harmful.
Can Dogs Have Lemon Pepper Chicken?
Dogs require proteins in their diet as it helps them maintain a healthy coat, strong muscles, and a strong immune system. While dogs could technically have lemon pepper chicken, it is good to note that the seasoning can be harmful to them, and your dog could have an inherent sickness that may make their reaction to the lemon pepper chicken severe. It is best to leave out lemon pepper chicken from your dogs diet.
