Onions, Garlic & Allium
Can dogs and cats eat onions?
Short answer on onions: toxic for both dogs and cats. See what to watch for and the veterinary sources behind each answer.
If your pet ate this, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately.
Call ASPCA: (888) 426-4435One food, two pets
What changes between dogs and cats?
Dogs and cats both have a toxic verdict.
The label matches, but the two answers are not interchangeable. Check the bottom line for your pet below.
- Bottom line differs
Onions safety for dogs
Onions in any form, raw, cooked, powdered, or dehydrated, can damage a dog's red blood cells and lead to anemia.
Toxic principle: N-propyl disulfide and related organosulfur compounds (oxidative red blood cell damage)
Watch for
- lethargy
- pale gums
- elevated heart rate
- weakness
- reddish or dark urine
- vomiting
- collapse
Onions safety for cats
Cats are even more sensitive than dogs to onion-induced red blood cell damage, and it takes a smaller amount to cause anemia.
Toxic principle: N-propyl disulfide and related organosulfur compounds (oxidative red blood cell damage)
Watch for
- lethargy
- pale gums
- elevated heart rate
- weakness
- reddish or dark urine
- vomiting
- collapse
Questions owners ask about onions
Can dogs eat onions?
Onions in any form, raw, cooked, powdered, or dehydrated, can damage a dog's red blood cells and lead to anemia.
What should I do if my dog ate onions?
Contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before calling.
What symptoms should I watch for with onions and dogs?
lethargy, pale gums, elevated heart rate, weakness, reddish or dark urine, vomiting, collapse. If you notice any of these, contact your veterinarian.
Can cats eat onions?
Cats are even more sensitive than dogs to onion-induced red blood cell damage, and it takes a smaller amount to cause anemia.
What should I do if my cat ate onions?
Contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before calling.
What symptoms should I watch for with onions and cats?
lethargy, pale gums, elevated heart rate, weakness, reddish or dark urine, vomiting, collapse. If you notice any of these, contact your veterinarian.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet's diet and health.
More onions, garlic & allium
Read our methodology for how every verdict is sourced and reviewed.