![Is Lemongrass Safe For Dogs](https://images.wagwalkingweb.com/media/articles/hero/1731665047.6935894/dog-lemongrass.jpg?auto=compress&fit=max&width=640)
But, while it’s a tasty addition to many recipes and enjoyed by humans, what about canines? Can dogs eat lemongrass? Let’s find out — because feeding your pet food that includes lemongrass could end up being a problem.
The answer is a resounding no. Dogs can’t eat lemongrass, and in fact, it’s toxic to them.
Lemongrass contains a substance called cyanogenic glycosides, which can be converted to cyanide when eaten as they come into contact with enzymes that are present in a dog’s saliva. Large quantities need to be eaten for there to be serious issues, though ingesting lemongrass in smaller amounts can lead to an upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea.
Lemongrass isn’t only present in plant form, though. Lemongrass essential oils are widely used in a range of beauty products — for massage, aromatherapy, in oil burners, for example — but the oil is a much more potent version than the plant/herb.
Is lemongrass oil safe for dogs? 100% not, as it’s so strong and concentrated. And, while it’s unlikely that your dog will eat whatever product contains the lemongrass oil – though some canines will eat just about anything, which can inevitably lead to problems – even coming into close contact with the oil isn’t recommended.
To be on the safe side, if you’re using lemongrass oil in any way it’s better that your dog is in another room of your home completely to reduce any risk. The same rule applies if you have a multi-pet household. Is lemongrass toxic to cats? You might have guessed it, but yet, it is. Keep pets away from exposure to lemongrass!
- Abdominal pain
- Distended abdomen
- Fever
- Inability to eliminate
- Loss of appetite
- Shock
- Straining on defecation (similar to constipation)
- Vomiting
Firstly, consuming large quantities of lemongrass can be toxic to dogs and cats. If you’re cooking with lemongrass as an ingredient, keep your pet well away from it; eating a handful of herbs is likely to cause a negative reaction.
If you have lemongrass plants in your home, don’t let your pet eat them. Cats might leave well alone but dogs have a habit of hoovering up whatever they can find. Eating lemongrass plants can be toxic, while the leaves — as we’ve mentioned already – can cause an intestinal blockage or be a choking hazard.
As we know, lemongrass can be present in many oils. Like citronella, the oil from the lemongrass plant is mildly repellent to insects due to the high citral and geraniol content.
If intestinal blockages are causing the symptoms, the examiner may discover sensitivity to touch or find a mass where the plant material from the lemongrass has clumped together in the digestive system, which would prompt a recommendation for further imaging.
Ultrasound technology or x-rays may be used for an accurate visual depiction, possibly with a barium study. If your companion’s symptoms seem to be related to a reaction to a toxin, you will be interviewed for information about your pet’s health history and any opportunities for inappropriate eating.
Tests to check for possible pesticides or other plant toxins will be completed to see if the underlying cause can be determined.
In the event of an obstruction of the intestinal system, in most cases, therapies such as fluid therapy can be used to flush the mass out of your dog’s system. Imaging will be periodically repeated in order to track the movement of the accumulation until it exits his gastrointestinal system.
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Providing that you follow the recommended treatment from your vet, there’s no reason your dog won’t make a complete recovery.
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