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In short, no. All parts of the onion, including powders and leaves, are toxic to dogs. This also includes veg that’s part of the allium family such as garlic, shallots, chives andleeks.Just like grapes, you should avoid onions no matter what, cooking onions doesn’t remove any of the toxicity and make sure any broth (including pre-made broth) doesn’t include onions.
No. Avoid cooked onions or any processed onions. Onion juice, powder and broth are still as harmful as raw onions.
You may be surprised to learn just how much onion we humans consume on a daily basis. Onion and onion powder are added into a vast number of recipes from soups to sauces, and this versatile vegetable is known for bringing an unforgettable flavour to dishes. With onions included as an ingredient in so many things, it’s caused many a pet parent to pause and ask the question “can dogs eat onions or foods that contain them?”
Find out if onions are bad for dogs and more in this guide.
No, dogs shouldn’t eat onions. These vegetables contain a compound called N-propyl disulphide which is highly toxic for dogs. This compound can cause the breakdown and eventual destruction of red blood cells and lead to anaemia. In extreme cases, onion poisoning can be fatal for dogs.
Signs of Onion Toxicity in Dogs
Even though clinical signs of illness can occur soon after your dog has consumed an onion, the full onset of clinical signs may take days to appear. Many dogs who have consumed a small amount of onion will experience mild clinical signs which include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and nausea. More serious clinical signs can result if your dog has eaten a larger amount, resulting in red blood cell damage, and these may likely take days to appear. Clinical signs of anemia include weakness, pale gums, increased respiratory rate and effort, increased heart rate, red-colored urine, collapse and even death. Kidney damage can also occur as a result of anemia, and clinical signs include decreased appetite, vomiting, increased thirst, and increased or decreased urination. If you suspect your pet has eaten an onion, please seek veterinary care immediately. If your dog eats a large number of onions or related foods in a short time, toxicity could set in quickly. But it’s more common that symptoms appear a few days after ingestion.
Can Dogs Eat Onions?
There are many kinds of food that humans eat which are unsafe for dogs. Onions are not an exception. Feeding your pooch onions can make him seriously ill, whether they are raw, cooked, or in powdered form.
Onions are toxic to canines because of the substance they contain known as thiosulfate. Since dogs do not have the enzyme used to digest this substance, onions become a harmful food for them. Although rarely any observable side effects can be seen if your pooch consumes just a minimal amount of onions. For example, he sneaks a piece of pizza off the counter or steals a bite of your burger, most likely he will be just fine. Too frequent feeding of onions, however, can affect your pet’s health and vitality. Additionally, onions contain a compound called organosulfur that results in toxicosi, a condition brought about by poisoning which can be easily absorbed by the dog’s digestive tract.
Onion ingestion commonly leads to liver damage, asthmatic attacks, allergic reactions, weakness, diarrhea, discolored urine, anemia, vomiting, and even dermatitis.
One of the most critical problems that arises from onion toxicity is canine Heinz Body Anemia, also referred to as Hemolytic anemia. It is a condition that is brought about by the destruction of the dog’s red blood cells that leads to a decrease in red blood cell count; thus, causing anemia. “Based on research, a single oral dose of dehydrated onions led to a large number of Heinz bodies within erythrocytes within 24 hours, with the maximum amount occurring up until day 3 until a decline was measured,” reports Animal Answer Guide, a site that answers common questions about dogs and other animals.
Symptoms vary depending on the amount of onions the dog has consumed, his size, and the time period for which they have been ingested. It is notable that consuming a large amount of onion in a single sitting is less dangerous that consuming a very small amount over a length of time. Remember this if you’re someone that feeds your dog from the table. Many of the foods we eat contain at least a small amount of onion or onion powder. Read your labels carefully and avoid feeding these foods to your dog.
Common warning signs for Heinz Body Anemia include pale mucous membranes like the gums, brownish or reddish urine color, rapid heart and/or respiratory rate, weakness, and depression. Vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite may also be observed.
It is important that you immediately consult your vet if symptoms occur as a result of onion ingestion. Treatment normally involves inducement of vomiting, carrying out gastric lavage or flushing out the stomach, and making use of activated charcoal to treat not just poisoning but allergic reactions as well. Bathing and drying your dog may also be necessary in cases of skin infection.
Other treatment options include maintaining the dog’s hydration by providing fluid in his bloodstream, applying therapy for liver damage, and calling for blood transfusions if necessary.
Did you know that there are many over-the-counter human medications that can be safe and effective for dogs, when used correctly?