Lime
24 foods contain this ingredient
This is an alphabetical list, not a ranking. Add KL+ to rank foods for your pet in the Food Finder.
About Lime
Lime is a citrus fruit occasionally added to pet foods in small amounts for flavor, though the fruit itself is not a nutrient dogs or cats require.
In pet food, lime is occasionally used as a natural flavoring or source of fruit-derived fiber and antioxidants (such as vitamin C and flavonoids), but it is not an essential nutrient for dogs or cats since they can synthesize vitamin C. While small amounts may contribute aroma and phytonutrients, citrus components—particularly concentrated oils, peels, seeds, or sweetened lime products—can cause gastrointestinal upset, skin irritation or photosensitivity and should be avoided or used only in controlled, pet-safe forms and amounts.
Related ingredients
- Derived from
- Citrus aurantifolia fruit, juice, or peel
- Primary role
- flavoring, minor source of vitamin C and antioxidant compounds
Why it's used
Formulators reach for lime mainly for aroma and a bright flavor note rather than for nutrition, since dogs and cats both synthesize their own vitamin C and do not depend on dietary citrus for it. Any inclusion tends to be minimal and heavily processed rather than fresh whole fruit or peel.
Common concerns
- Psoralens and essential oils in peel and plant material The ASPCA lists lime as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses because the essential oils and psoralens in the peel and plant material are associated with vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and skin irritation from sun exposure (phototoxic dermatitis).
- Concentrated citrus oil exposure Veterinary sources note that cats are especially sensitive to citrus oil compounds like d-limonene and linalool because they have limited liver enzyme capacity to break these compounds down, and linalool exposure has been linked to tremors and loss of coordination in dogs.
Also relevant
The flesh and juice of lime in small quantities are generally treated differently from the peel, oil, or whole plant, which concentrate the compounds of greatest concern.
Common Questions
What category is Lime?
Lime is categorized as a fruit ingredient in the KibbleLab database.
Is Lime part of an allergen group?
No allergen group is linked to Lime in the KibbleLab database.
Which foods contain Lime?
24 foods in the KibbleLab database contain Lime, including FeedHoli, Health Extension, Himalayan Pet Supply.
Foods with Lime
Alphabetical by brand. Scores run 0 to 10, higher is better, on published veterinary science.
Find the right food for your pet
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