Onions, along with the rest of the allium family are definitely not a good idea to add to your pup’s diet. If consumed in small enough amounts then the effects shouldn’t be too severe, normally only vomiting or diarrhea, But if a larger quantity has found its way into your pup’s stomach then the consequences could be very severe, and if action is not taken in time, possibly fatal.
At perfectpuppypal.com, we are not qualified veterinarians or animal nutritionists. The information that we provide is general and educational information only and is not a substitute for professional advice.
Let us take a deeper look and find out why.
The onion family
The allium family of which onions are a part also includes chives, garlic, scallions, leeks, and spring onions too! This family food group is loved by humans the world over to add extra taste, texture, and nutrition to our favourite family meals. But as our four-legged friends have a very different digestive system to our own, the properties contained in onions and the rest of the allium family could prove to be very damaging to their health.
Remember though, that it is not just the base vegetable that is harmful to our pets. A lot of foods out there contain onion powder and seasonings which if consumed can be equally as dangerous.
Why are onions dangerous for dogs?
The main reason onions are dangerous for dogs is due to the amount of a toxin present which is called ‘N-propyl disulfide’. This toxic substance latches onto the oxygen molecules in the red blood cells of our canine companions.
Why is this bad? Well, basically this can result in serious oxidative damage due to the weakening of the red blood cells. resulting in your pal suffering from and experiencing anemia which undetected or untreated is very serious and could result in dangerous kidney failure, or worse, prove fatal.
How much onion is dangerous for dogs?
So we have discovered by now that the consumption of onion is a very bad idea for our beloved pets. But how much would they need to consume before they fall seriously ill you ask?
Well, this can depend on a few different factors. Take the size of your dog for instance, it wouldn’t take a lot of onion to poison a 6kg Jack Russell terrier, whereas if a 60kg Doberman consumed the same amount, the effects would be minimal or non-existent.
It is generally said that if a dog eats just 0.5% of its own body weight in onion then toxicity can kick in. Another factor to consider here is your four-legged friend’s age and health. The risk will be a lot higher in young puppies who haven’t developed properly yet, and in more senior dogs who may have some underlying health issues already.
Symptoms of onion poisoning
As mentioned before, if your dog has consumed any amount of onion then there is a good possibility they could end up sick. Some of the symptoms you should look out for if you suspect that your best friend has ingested onion are as follows:
Tiredness or lethargy
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Pale gums
Change in behavior
Rapid breathing or heart rate
Treatment and recovery
Obviously, if you know that your favourite furry pal has accidentally made their way into your onion or garlic stash and has consumed what they should not have then it’s best not to wait and get them to the vet as soon as you can. If caught soon enough then the treatment and recovery processes should not be too severe for Fido, but if left longer then the chances of them having a swift and full recovery diminishes rapidly.
Treatment typically involves giving your dog a blood transfusion and providing supportive care.
How to prevent onion poisoning
We all love to give our canine companions some extra-human food that is leftover from our evening meals from time to time, however, it’s important to know what is contained in the ingredients of the food you wish to give your pooch.
In my opinion, if giving your pal some of your human food that you have prepared yourself, then at least you know what ingredients are in whatever you give them. But care must be taken when giving tidbits or food from things that are bought home such as takeaways from your favourite Indian or Chinese restaurant. Sometimes these meals contain a lot of ingredients you are unaware of and if consumed by your four-legged friend in even the smallest quantities, then serious health issues could follow.
So, why can’t dogs eat onions?
I hope the information contained in the article has given you a good idea of the dangers onions possess if they are eaten by your dog.
We have covered what other veggies are in the same family as onions, why onions are dangerous for our beloved pets, to symptoms of onion poisoning, treatment and recovery, and preventative measures.
But, the bottom line is, onions are dangerous for our canine companions and if you know or suspect that yours has eaten any amount of onion then it is recommended to get your four-legged friend round to your local vet quickly.
As always we would love to hear from you here at perfectpuppypal.com if you have ever had any issues with your dog eating onions or any other member of the allium family. Comments are always greatly appreciated and if you have anything to add then please use the comment section below.