It is important for all dog parents to understand that you cannot give certain foods that are specifically made for human consumption. This includes onion, which you normally use as an ingredient in preparing your daily meals, but could pose a danger to your pet dog.
Yes, you read that right: the kitchen staple is not recommended to give to your dog. We assume that questions such as why they are toxic and what part of the vegetable must be crossing your mind. Therefore, this blog will provide you with the required answers related to the signs of the toxicity of onion, how much onion is poisonous, what you should do, how the vet handles the emergency, and ways to prevent your dog from reaching the onions.
Why Are Onions Toxic?
You might think that onions are harmless, which is why you add them to your dishes. However, for dogs, they are utterly toxic. Why is that? Let’s discuss:
N-propyl disulfide
N-propyl disulfide is the main culprit behind the toxicity. What is it? It is a compound responsible for causing oxidative damage to the red blood cells. If you ask about their specific job, then it simply attaches to the oxygen molecules in red blood cells. This attachment further leads to disturbing their ability to carry oxygen throughout the body. As a result, the procedure results in the breaking down and damaging of red blood cells in your dog, a condition commonly known as hemolysis.
According to Purina, dogs shouldn’t eat onions because these vegetables consist of a compound N-propyl disulfide that is extremely toxic to your dog. This compound results in the breakdown that destroys the red blood cells in your dog, resulting in anaemia. Don’t take the onion matter lightly as, in some cases, it can be so extreme that it may cause poisoning in your dog, which can be pretty fatal.
The Allium Family
Furthermore, onions are a part of the Allium family, which also involves leeks, chives, garlic, and shallots. So, all of these vegetables carry similar toxic compounds that are equally harmful for your dogs to consume. According to PDSA, dogs shouldn’t eat onions, and you shouldn’t offer them as they are part of a group of plants known as Alliums, which are, without question, toxic to your dog.
Apart from that, if you assume that maybe you can serve your dog with some part of this vegetable, then let us clear your doubts that all forms of onions are equally dangerous for your dog. Therefore, avoid giving them the following as well:
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Raw onions
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Onion powder
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Cooked onions
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Onion juice
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Green onions
Heinz Body Anemia
The N-propyl disulfide results in the formation of Heinz bodies within their red blood cells. What are Heinz's bodies? Well, these are damaged haemoglobin in clump forms, which, when your dog consumes, their body identifies as a foreign object that further triggers their destruction. The damage results in hemolytic anemia, a condition in which you come across a dangerously low red blood cell count, which can be a worrisome matter for you as a dog parent. Therefore, be careful in your furry friend’s case.
What Are The Symptoms Of Onion’s Toxicity?
Yes, there are symptoms of onion toxicity, but these can vary depending on the amount of onions your dog has eaten, or you have fed them with and how big is your furry fellow. Apart from that, you may not immediately see the signs as they take time to develop. What are the symptoms? Let’s shed light on them:
Gastrointestinal Issues
Your dog’s stomach might be affected, compelling them to display the following signs:
Vomiting
If you see your dog vomiting, then that is considered one of the first signs of onion toxicity because the compounds are making them throw up.
Diarrhea
After eating onions in any form, you may see your dog run countless times to their defecation spot to witness them passing runny stools or having diarrhoea. Therefore, monitor your dog’s health.
Abdominal Pain
If you touch your dog’s abdomen and it feels tender or they react to your touch, then that means they are experiencing abdominal pain. Hence, watch them carefully.
Lack Of Hunger
Did you fill your dog’s food bowl with their favourite meal, and they still didn’t come or refused to eat? Then that is the onion’s toxicity speaking to you. In the list of gastro symptoms, there is a lack of hunger as well, where despite serving your doggy’s most liked food, they will not eat.
Drooling
Does your dog drool way more than it used to? Then, that is another sign of the onion’s consequences, which you may notice after it consumes the vegetable. The compound also produces so much saliva that it is drooling.
Signs of Anemia
As we mentioned, the compound results in anemia and has its own symptoms that can help you identify if your dog is experiencing onion toxicity. Let’s take a detailed look at the signs in this case:
Exhausted
Once they have consumed onions, you might see them feeling exhausted for the majority of the day. They will be lethargic, become really weak, and won’t move even if you call them to play.
Pale Gums
You must be familiar with the colour of healthy gums, which is pink. However, when your dog eats onions, its gums will turn pale, which is a clear indication of a lack of adequate red blood cells. Therefore, check its gums, and the colour will confirm your doubts.
Heart-rate Increases
Did you randomly touch your dog and feel that their heart rate has significantly increased? This happens because your dog’s heart is working harder to supply the reduced oxygen capacity of the blood that their body is not getting due to the toxic compound in onions.
Respiratory Rate Increases
You may find your dog struggling to breathe normally. One of the signs of anaemia is that the respiratory rate increases, forcing your dog to breathe rapidly or pant. Hence, see whether your dog is doing the same or not.
Feel Weak
Even if your dog is considered the toughest amongst your other neighbourhood dogs, then the anaemia might prove you wrong. After eating onions, the lack of red blood cells will make them very weak, leaving you and your dog worried.
Fainting
This might scare you, but your dog can also faint. For instance, even while coming to you, it can lose consciousness, increasing your stress. So, if this happens, make sure that your vet’s number is on your emergency contact list so that you can take immediate action.
Other Symptoms
Besides the primary symptoms, there are other signs as well that can provide you with further hints:
Red or Brown Urine
You may see your dog’s urine turn red or brown from normal yellow. Why? This happens because of the damaged red blood cells that release haemoglobin in their urine.
Jaundice
Has your dog’s eye colour changed to yellow? If yes, that is another red flag that their liver is infected. The same logic applies to their skin. Therefore, keep observing their eyes and skin colour, and as soon as you notice the colour change, contact your vet for further guidance.
Difficulty Breathing
You may notice your dog having difficulty breathing. This is due to respiratory distress caused by the onions inside its body.
Collapsing
If your dog has consumed way too many onions in one go, then sadly that can lead to their collapsing and death as well. Therefore, try your best not to give them this vegetable, as we believe you are not ready to part ways with your dog, at least not so early. Be careful at your end.
How Much Onion Is Toxic?
If you believe that a whole onion must be toxic, but you can still give small portions to your dog, then you are wrong. It is said that even small portions are more than enough to cause harm. In this case, the level of toxicity varies, depending on the size of your dog and individual sensitivities.
When dogs consume onions amounting to 0.5% of their body weight, this can lead to toxic effects. Consequently, veterinarians strongly advise that dog owners should never give onions to their pets, particularly onion powder. Why? This form is even more toxic because it is a highly concentrated version of onion.
How To Handle If Your Dog Eats Onion?
Did you catch your dog chewing those onions? Then, you need to handle the situation in the following ways:
Figure The Amount
Instead of panicking, try to figure out the amount of onions your dog has eaten in your absence. That quantity plays a crucial role in telling how severe the poisoning is going to be. Because, as we explained earlier as well, that small amount is also toxic, especially if you have smaller dogs.
Then, check what form of onion your furry family member has eaten. For instance, was it raw, cooked, powdered, or in a prepared food version? If it is onion powder, that is a matter of great concern, as the powder is highly concentrated and more problematic.
Contact Your Vet
Immediately dial your vet's number and share the details of the situation. They can guide you based on your dog's size, breed, and the amount and form of onion it has consumed.
Call the Pet Poison Helpline
If your vet is not available, call the pet poison helpline. Their teams can also help you out in a similar manner. Therefore, don’t hesitate; after all, it’s about your dog’s life.
Don’t Induce Vomiting
Avoid trying to make your dog vomit, especially without your vet’s guidance. It does seem like a good idea, but you can always end up doing something wrong that you at the time can't afford to do. Hence, it’s better if your vet does the inducing without causing more challenges.
How Do Vets Treat This Issue?
Once your dog consumes onions, your vet will make the most out of treatments that concentrate on clearing your dog’s system while providing supportive care to fight the effects of the toxins. How do they do it? Let’s see:
Decontamination
Your vet will probably begin with decontamination, which is done in the following manners:
Inducing Vomiting
If you brought your dog within a few hours of this situation, your vet is more likely to induce vomiting. To do this, remove the onions from your dog’s stomach. Keep in mind that this step should only be taken by a professional vet, as doing it personally can harm your dog.
Activated Charcoal
After the induction of vomiting or if too much time has passed and your dog is still feeling sick, your vet will use activated charcoal. What does activated charcoal do? It binds to the remaining toxins in your dog’s digestive tract, not allowing them to move into the bloodstream, where they will be absorbed, resulting in dangerous consequences.
Supportive Care
In supportive care, you can expect your vet to give the following for your dog to recover from onion’s toxicity:
Intravenous Fluids
What are Intravenous Fluids? These are essential to maintaining hydration and supporting the normal functioning of the kidney, especially because the body also works to eradicate toxins from your dog’s body.
Oxygen Therapy
If your vet notices that your dog has entered the category of severe anaemia, then oxygen therapy may become necessary. What happens in severe anaemia is that your dog’s red blood cells are drastically damaged, making it crucial to deliver the required oxygen to their tissues.
Blood Transfusions
Besides oxygen therapy, your vet may also suggest a blood transfusion for your dog. In severe anaemic cases, this transfusion plays a vital role in restoring the required red blood cell count of your dog. Otherwise, your dog’s life can be at stake.
Monitor
Your vet will closely monitor your dog’s red blood cell count and other important symptoms. How? Through regular blood tests. This testing assists them in determining the severity of the poison spread due to onions and suggests a suitable treatment accordingly.
Medications
Even after all the major tests are done, your vet may still prescribe you medications. These medicines will prevent your dog from vomiting consistently.
What Are Safer Vegetable Options For Your Dog?
Who said you cannot feed your doggy with other vegetables? These are the following safer vegetable options that your dog can enjoy having:
Carrots
Carrots are a crunchy and healthy treat with vitamin A which is important for vision and immune health. And the raw form can even assist in cleaning your dog’s teeth.
Green Beans
Green beans are safe in any form. Whether you steam, cook or add them in their raw version, this vegetable is a healthy source of fibre, vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, they benefit in managing your dog's weight as well.
Sweet Potatoes
Bring some sweet potatoes for your dog, as they are safe and healthy. Sweet potatoes are packed with fibre, antioxidants, and vitamins, especially A, which support your dog’s coat and skin.
Broccoli
Yes, you can give broccoli to your dogs. The vegetable is an excellent source of vitamins and fibre, but please offer it in moderation, as too much can cause gas.
Pumpkin
Cooked and plain pumpkin can be given, but not pumpkin pie filling. It is also rich in fibre and can assist digestive issues such as constipation.
Ways To Prevent
You will never want your furry friend to undergo the same situation again in the future. Therefore, you can adopt the following ways to prevent your dog from having onions:
Store Onions in a Different Place
Whenever you buy onions, please make sure that you store them in a different place that is out of your dog’s reach. For instance, you can keep them on shelves that are at a certain height that your dog can never access. Plus, also do the same with cooked dishes such as soups, stews, and sauces. In this way, your dog’s focus will be on their regular food only.
Read Food Packaging
When getting groceries, remember to read the food packaging, especially the food label. This will also help you select items that don’t contain onion powder or related alternatives.
Discard The Table Scraps
Although table scraps might seem normal to you, even those can contain onions or other harmful ingredients. Therefore, it is suggested that you do not give any to your dog, as you never know what might go wrong.
Garden Safety
If onions are part of your garden, either move the plants or place some thorns so that your dog cannot reach them. This will ensure that both your plants and dog remain safe.
Conclusion
Can dogs eat onions? The answer is a big no. Therefore, be careful that your dog doesn't eat them in your absence, irrespective of any form. And even if it accidentally consumes, then rush to the vet so they can take the necessary measures.
