Is lemongrass Safe For Dogs?
So you get it, right? Your dog needs to feed on healthy products only, as it is the only way to avoid visiting the vet now and then. One of the plants you’d want to know whether is safe for your dog is the lemongrass. It is widespread, meaning your dog will likely access it anytime.
Notably, lemongrass is categorized as a safe option for pets, including dogs. Since it is a healthy choice for dogs, you can add it to your garden, where they can access it freely. However, it would be best to restrict the amount of lemongrass your dog eats.
Dogs are not wired to feed on excessive amounts of plants and leaves. Instead, they are omnivores that would prefer meat to anything else. Too much plant material in their diet could expose them to health complications, including intestinal blockages. The following insights will help you understand this better.
Can Dogs Eat Lemongrass?
Lemongrass is an excellent addition to your dog’s diet. Yet, you must use it in moderate quantities to get enough health benefits.
Lemongrass has anti-inflammatory properties that help address swelling, pain, and inflammation in muscles and joints. This property makes it an excellent solution to joint, stomach, and muscle pain.
It also demonstrates extensive antibacterial and antifungal properties. These properties help eliminate pathogens and bacteria from the body. In addition, they are central to lowering uric acid levels in the dog’s body. Moreover, it has skin-healing properties to keep the dog’s fur healthy.
However, the dog should eat a limited amount of lemongrass. Excessive lemongrass contributes to gastrointestinal issues, including blockages. This issue prevents water and food from passing through the gastrointestinal tract, decreases blood flow, and contributes to fatality.
Lemongrass Poisoning In Dogs
Various types of lemongrasses suffice: Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogan nardus, and Cymbopogon winterianus.
Cymbopogon citratus is commonly used in cooking chicken dishes. While it is typically non-toxic, it causes gastrointestinal issues when consumed in large quantities. On the other hand, Cymbopogon nardus has maroon stems, and it is used in making repellants and citronella oil.
Cymbopogon winterianus was made from the Cymbopogon nardus. It is an excellent choice for making citronella oil. It is also suitable for making perfumes.
Yet, regardless of the type of lemongrass you feed your dog, the effects are similar. Lemongrass poisoning occurs when the dog overeats lemongrass. This element contributes to significant stomach problems and gastrointestinal issues. Also, risky intestinal blockage becomes inevitable.
Symptoms of Lemongrass Poisoning
Excessive consumption of lemongrass contributes to various complications, depending on how much was eaten. The worst case would be a gastrointestinal blockage, which highlights the following symptoms.
- Strenuous defecation
Constipation will be inevitable, thanks to the fibrous nature of lemongrass. This symptom implies the dog will find it hard to eliminate waste and defecate.
- Substantial loss of appetite
Your dog will gradually lose its appetite. Besides, whether or not it has an appetite, food and water will hardly go through the gastrointestinal tract.
- Abdominal pain
Abdominal discomfort arises from the dog’s inability to digest excessive lemongrass. This issue could escalate to an enlarged abdomen, calling for a surgical procedure.
The fibrous part of the lemongrass irritates the gut, triggering vomiting. At the same time, this plant could upset the stomach, contributing to diarrhea.
Other symptoms include:
- Fever
- Increased heart rate
- Shock
- Body weakness
- Distended abdomen
Multiple symptoms indicate significant lemongrass poisoning. In such instances, indulging a professional will help avert further health complications, including fatality.
Diagnosis of Lemongrass Poisoning in Dogs
Lemongrass is not toxic to your dog, but poisoning can happen anytime. You must understand how to read the symptoms to avoid misidentification or sign misreading. Once you are convinced of the symptoms, a medical examination suffices.
A urinalysis determines whether your dog is suffering from lemongrass poisoning. This test is accompanied by a complete blood count and a biochemistry profile. The idea is to establish if there are any toxins or imbalances in the dog’s system. The vet will also perform a physical examination.
An excellent professional will look for different signs to establish where the gastrointestinal blockage has occurred. While a physical examination might be enough, imaging enhances clarity. In this case, an x-ray or ultrasound imaging will come in handy.
Further tests might also be necessary. These tests will focus on the dog’s exposure to pesticides and plant toxins. Eliminating these substances from the dog’s system will guarantee better health eventually.
Treating Lemongrass Poisoning
Once the condition has been established, the vet will determine which medication or treatment to embrace. Yet, supportive medication will be the most preferred. In this case, the professional will recommend using intravenous fluids to clear toxins in the body.
Therapy could also help to flush out the intestinal blockage. Different approaches will be used, including physical solutions. However, a surgical procedure will be the best solution in extreme cases.
You could also use activated charcoal to bind and remove toxins from the body. The amount of activated charcoal used will depend on the vet’s recommendations. In addition, you can induce vomiting to remove toxins and blockage.
The vet shall aim to stabilize the pet. After this, you’ll be required to monitor the pet and give it prescribed medications. You’ll also provide a bland diet to avoid further complications.
Final Thoughts
Lemongrass is an excellent source of fiber and vitamin C for your dog. It is safe for your dog, but only if taken in moderation. You must be careful about how much the dog should eat to avoid lemongrass poisoning.
Further Reading:
- Can Dogs Eat Mint? Is Mint Good or Bad for Dogs?
- Can Dogs Eat Basil? Is Basil Beneficial For Dogs?
- Can Dogs Eat Cilantro? What You Need To Know
- Can Dogs Eat Peppermint?