Are onions bad for dogs? It depends on your definition of bad, but the fact remains that all parts of the onion plant are toxic to dogs, including the flesh, leaves, juice, and processed powders. Whether raw or cooked, fried or powdered, onions and the rest of the allium family (garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives) are harmful to dogs. Here’s everything you need to know about this common food item’s effect on man’s best friend.
What is an Onion Plant
The onion plant is a herbaceous biennial that grows from an underground bulb. The most common type of onion is white onion, which has a papery skin and a strong flavor. Other types of onions include red onions, yellow onions, and sweet onions. Onion plants are toxic to dogs because they contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can cause hemolytic anemia in dogs.
These compounds damage the red blood cells, causing them to rupture and leak their contents into the bloodstream. This can lead to anemia, which is a condition in which there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Symptoms of onion toxicity in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, and collapse.
Are Onions Bad for Dogs?
Yes, onions are bad for dogs. All parts of the onion plant are toxic to dogs, including the flesh, leaves, juice, and processed powders. Whether raw or cooked, fried or powdered, onions and the rest of the allium family (garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives) are harmful to dogs. The good news is that onions are not as toxic as some other foods.
If your dog eats a small amount of onion, he may experience some gastrointestinal upset but is unlikely to experience any serious health problems. However, if your dog eats a large amount of onion or if he is particularly sensitive to onions, he may experience more serious health problems such as anemia. If you’re concerned that your dog has eaten onions, contact your veterinarian immediately.
How Much Onion Is Toxic to Dogs?
How does it affect a dog’s health?
When a dog ingests onions, their red blood cells begin to break down. This process is called hemolytic anemia and it can be fatal. The breakdown of red blood cells prevents oxygen from being carried throughout the body, which can lead to organ damage and death.
Even a small amount of onion can cause problems for a dog, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and keep them away from onions entirely. Signs of onion poisoning in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, pale gums and skin, dark urine, or fever. If you suspect your dog has eaten onions or any other toxic plant or animal by accident (or you have reason to believe they may have), take them to the vet as soon as possible!
The Symptoms
Onions contain a substance called thiosulphate, which is toxic to dogs and can cause severe health problems. If your dog has eaten onions, look out for these symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness, and collapse. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately. The good news is that there are some ways to help prevent onion poisoning in dogs.
Lemons and lime also contain high levels of vitamin C and are good at removing onion odor from breath. Also, don’t forget that most fresh foods have very little onion content because they’re usually chopped up before serving!
You may have also heard that chives aren’t bad for dogs; this is actually true! Chives do not belong to the allium family, so they’re safe to eat!
Can it be treated
If your dog has eaten onions, the first thing you should do is call your veterinarian. If you catch your dog in the act of eating onions, try to make them vomit by giving them a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. This will help to remove as much of the onion from their system as possible.
If your dog is showing any signs of illness, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, take them to the vet immediately.
Tips on how to prevent your dog from eating it
- Keep onions and other allium vegetables out of reach of your dog. Store them in a cabinet or drawer that your pet cannot access.
- If you grow onions in your garden, make sure they are fenced off so your dog cannot get to them.
- Do not feed your dog table scraps that contain onions or other allium vegetables.
- When cooking, be sure to keep onions and other allium vegetables away from areas where your dog has access.
- If you suspect your dog has eaten onions or any other allium vegetable, call your veterinarian immediately.
- Symptoms of onion toxicity in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, and collapse.
Conclusion
Yes, onions are bad for dogs. All parts of the onion plant are toxic to dogs, including the flesh, leaves, juice, and processed powders. Whether raw or cooked, fried or powdered, onions and the rest of the allium family (garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives) are harmful to dogs. If your dog has eaten any part of an onion, call your veterinarian immediately.
