Are onions toxic to dogs?

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Onions are among the foods that your dog should better not eat, as consumption can lead to poisoning. Learn more.

02.09.2022

Can dogs eat onions?

Your four-legged friend should definitely keep their paws off onions and other allium vegetables like →garlic! Even small amounts can cause symptoms of poisoning and in the worst case lead to anemia. The reason for this is the contained in onions alliin, a sulfur-containing amino acid that destroys the hemoglobin in your dog's red blood cells. This makes onions one of the →foods that are inedible and toxic for your pet.

Which allium vegetables are toxic to dogs?

But it's not just our common yellow onion, other allium vegetables also contain the alliin that is dangerous for dogs and therefore have no place in your dog's bowl. The potentially toxic allium vegetables include:

  • Yellow onion

  • Garlic

  • Chives

  • Leek

  • Shallots

  • Spring onions

  • Wild garlic

If you want to treat your pet, it's better to give them delicious dog snacks, a crunchy →carrot or lightly steam some →broccoli or →cauliflower for them.

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You'll love to try BARF!

How can I recognize onion poisoning in my dog?

Even a medium-sized onion can cause a medium-sized dog to experience symptoms of poisoning. The symptoms of poisoning from eating onions can vary greatly. Watch for the following signs in your dog:

  • →Vomiting and/or →diarrhea

  • Paleness (visible on the mucous membranes)

  • Increased breathing and/or heart rate

  • General weakness

If you notice any of the mentioned symptoms or are unsure, you should head to a veterinary clinic immediately. Even if you notice other strange behaviors in your dog, it's better to seek veterinary advice.

Kranker Hund beim Tierarzt

Eating onions can cause poisoning, so you should quickly take your pet to a veterinary clinic.

What should I do if my dog has eaten onions?

If your dog has eaten onions or other allium vegetables, you should head to an animal clinic immediately. Ideally, your dog will be made to vomit within the first 1-2 hours after eating the onion by veterinarians to induce vomiting. Attention: Under no circumstances should you induce vomiting yourself. Such a case definitely belongs in the hands of experts and you should never act on your own.

If your dog is already showing symptoms of poisoning from the onions, it may be necessary for them to be hospitalized. Often, our four-legged friends then need an intravenous treatment to prevent consequential damage and permanent kidney injury. In severe cases a blood transfusion may be necessary.

Can dogs eat cooked onions?

No, even cooked onions contain the alliin that is toxic to our dogs. So it doesn't matter whether your dog has eaten the onions raw, cooked, dried, or in powdered form – grab your four-legged friend and head straight to the animal clinic!.

Undine Tackmann
Undine Tackmann