Can dogs eat onions? No
They add flavor to our food but they are toxic to dogs.
Onions and other plants from the allium family like garlic, chives, leeks, and shallots are harmful to dogs. Onions have a toxic substance N-propyl disulfide that can cause hemolytic anemia in dogs.
What if your dog eats onions or a meatloaf full of onions? Or eats onion rings that are cooked? What would happen?
Can dogs recover after eating onions?
This post will answer all you need to know about onions and dogs.
Let’s dive right in.
Why Onions Are Bad for Dogs
Onions add flavor to our food. But they are harmful food for dogs. Onions contain a toxic substance known as N-propyl disulfide. The compound is safe for humans but not for dogs, it breaks down red blood cells leading to anemia.
The toxic substances cause oxidation in dog red blood cells. It attracts oxygen in the red blood cells reducing its ability to carry oxygen. It also tricks the dog’s body to think that the blood cells are invaders, thus triggering the white blood cells to destroy the red blood cells. The destruction of red blood cells leads to hemolytic anemia.
According to The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), hemolytic anemia is a condition where the red blood cells are destroyed and removed from the blood system before their normal lifespan is over. Normally when red blood cells die the bone marrow makes more red blood cells and replaces them.
In the case of hemolytic anemia in dogs, the bone marrow can’t produce more red blood cells fast enough to replace the one that has died.
Onions and any other products from the allium family (garlic, leeks, chives, and shallots) are harmful to dogs.
What about cooked onions
All parts of the onion plant, the leaves, bulb, juice, or even onion powder are toxic to dogs. It doesn’t matter if it’s cooked or fried or steamed is harmful to dogs.
Onion powder is worse as there is more onion concentration in it.
What about broth cooked with onions?
Broth cooked with onions is also not safe for dogs. Can your dog eat meatloaf with onions in it? What about onion rings or onion casserole? A big NO. The thing is a small number of onions will not have immediate harm to your dog.
The effect can only be seen if the dog eats a large chunk of onions. Although most of the time dogs will smell and taste it but not like the onion taste.
The toxic effect of onion matters with the breed for instance the small Yorkies can be affected with small bits whereas big breeds like German Shepherd have to eat a big chunk to be affected.
That’s one of the reasons why we discourage dogs from eating human food that has onions or garlic.
Before you feed you buy human food for your dog check the food labels to ensure there are no onion compounds.
10 Symptoms of Onion Poisoning in Dogs
There are many symptoms of hemolytic anemia which include:
- Lethargy
- Pale gums
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Decreased appetite
- Fainting
- Increased heart rate
- Reddish urine
- Diarrhea
- Loss of breath
Vomiting and diarrhea may occur the same day the dog eats onions. For the other symptoms, it may take up to a week for them to reveal themselves.
Call a vet near you immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. Note that not all symptoms are a result of eating onions they are many other causes of hemolytic anemia. So consult your vet for more information. The vet will also get your pet history to try to understand if any of these signs are a result of onions toxicity.
Don’t wait for your pet to collapse for you to call a vet to do it well in advance.
Treating Onion Toxicity in Dogs
Onion toxicity shows up in dogs that eat more than 65% of onion concentration in their food at one time. In other words, one-fourth of a cup can make a 20-pound dog sick. This doesn’t matter if the onions were cooked or raw, that exposure is enough to make your dog sick.
According to Dr. Jessica Potosy of Stanford Animal hospital vet, attention is needed when your pet shows any signs of onion toxicity. The recommended procedure will depend on the nature of the impact of the poison.
The vet may induce vomiting to your pet by trying to remove the toxic substance from their body.
The vet will offer support care until there are enough red blood cells produced to replace the damaged ones. In severe cases, your dog may require a blood transfusion.
What should you do if your dog ate onions?
If at any time your dog eats onions then you need to worry if it does that in large amounts. A small piece of the onion ring is not harmful to your dog. But a big chunk can cause toxicity.
You can ignore the small amounts but if your pet starts vomiting, being lethargic, or faints call your vet ASAP.
Foods Your Pet Should Avoid
Pets will love to have an extra bite of our food. But you need to be careful with what you give as some may be very dangerous to their health.
At all costs avoid any of the following foods:
- Candy
- Gums
- Peanut butter
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Caffeine
- Onions
- Garlic
- Cheves
- Raw or undercooked meat
- Raw eggs
- Grapes and raisins
- Salty snacks
- Nuts ( almonds, pecans, and walnuts)
- Alcohol
Over to You
Your furry pal needs to eat the best food. What is good and sweet to humans might be toxic to your dog.
Be on the lookout and avoid any harmful food for your dog. Any experience with onion toxicity? Please share it in the comment.