24 March 2024 , 20:36
948
0
A vet has issued an urgent warning following the rise of a viral TikTok trend that sees pet owners throwing lemon slices in their dogs ’ mouths.
The #DogVSLemon trend, which has amassed a staggering 20.1 million views on the social media platform, risks putting dogs in serious danger, Dr. Anna Foreman of Everypaw Pet Insurance has warned. One video, with over 16 million views, pictures a pup in clear discomfort after its owner throws the sour fruit into its mouth. And this rise in popularity has coincided with a concerning 65% increase in online searches for “dogs eating lemons.”
Warning of the dangers of this growing trend, Dr. Anna said: “Many dogs will eat anything thrown at them (or grab any food on the floor etc.) without a second thought, often not even sniffing or tasting it first. “This can be good in a few scenarios, for example with giving a dog a tablet, however, it can be quite dangerous in many others.”
READ MORE: Deadly common flowers dog owners need to remove from their homes
Pet owners have been warned of the risks of throwing food into dogs' mouths amid this growing trendShe added: “Sour citrus fruits such as lemon and lime tend not to be palatable to dogs, however if eaten in anything more than minimal quantities can cause gastrointestinal upsets or more severe clinical signs like collapse.
Widow brings pillow with late husband's face on it to pub every New Year's Eve
“Throwing food at a dog for them to catch is a choking hazard, particularly if the piece of food is too large to swallow whole.”
Dr. Anna went on to point out that, while unlikely, taking part in this trend with your dog could lead it to distrust you and damage your bond. However, the expert added that in some cases, a trend such as this could be useful in teaching misbehaving pups not to eat things they shouldn't.
Shot of a young woman relaxing with her dog at homeShe said: “After catching and tasting the lemon, this dog may do the same thing again if repeated, however after a couple of repeats, the dog will associate the consequences of their actions. They will then sniff the lemon first before trying to eat it, and will be put off from the smell alone.
“The dog has essentially been taught to hesitate before eating something.” The #DogVSLemon may be reflective of more owners exploiting their beloved pets for online fame and entertainment, Dr. Anna warned.
The trend could damage your relationship with your pup, Dr Anna warnedShe argued: “Whether it be animals put in stressful or dangerous situations for entertainment, animals wearing clothes or being dyed, or concerning behaviours or characteristics being normalised, it is concerning the popularity that these videos receive. “Many members of the public do not understand animal behaviour, and are unable to recognise the signs of stress and aggression that they exhibit. This puts not only an animal in a dangerous position, but also those around it.”
And it seems many dog lovers agree with Dr. Anna about the risks of this trend. Commenting on a TikTok video, one person wrote: “They’re not meant to have citrus :(“ While another added: “Dude you should know not to do this…”