Have you ever been eating onion rings and wanted to toss a few over to your dog? This is a common scenario among pet parents who enjoy sharing human food with their pets. However, many pet parents ask, “can my dog eat onions?” Chances are you have heard negative things about feeding your dog onions, and you are right to question it before tossing that onion ring.
Can My Dog Eat Onions?
Are Onions Toxic to Dogs?
Yes. Onions are toxic to dogs because they contain N-propyl disulfide, which is a compound that causes the breakdown of red blood cells. The toxin found in onions causes oxidative damage by attaching to the oxygen molecules in the red blood cells, which reduces the ability to carry oxygen.
During the process, the red blood cells get destroyed and lead to hemolytic anemia.
Is Onion Powder Safe to Give Dogs?
Now that you know the answer to the question, “Can my dog eat onions?” Let’s find out if your dog can eat onion powder. The answer is also No.
Beware of foods that include onion powder in them, such as crackers, cheese, bread, and other human foods you might want to give your dog.
Read the ingredients label thoroughly before offering any food to your dog.
It’s best to avoid giving your dog processed foods altogether.
Also, avoid giving your dog chives, leeks, shallots, and garlic because they all belong to the same allium family as onions.
Signs Your Dog has Onion Toxicity
- Decreased appetite
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Fainting
- Pale gums
- Red-colored urine
- Excessive panting
- Elevated heart rate
- Vomiting
If your dog has any of the symptoms mentioned on the list after consuming onions or food that possibly could have onions, rush to an animal hospital or veterinarian’s office immediately.
How to Prevent Onion Toxicity in Dogs
- Avoid giving your dog onions, leeks, garlic, shallots, and chives.
- Don’t leave food that contains onions where your dog can eat it.
- Check labels for ingredients in food before feeding it to your dog.
- Store onions, leeks, garlic, chives, and shallots in a place where your dog can’t reach them.
Treating Onion Toxicity in Dogs
As soon as you arrive at the veterinarian, an exam will be conducted, and a treatment plan will be established. Typical treatment includes inducing vomiting, supportive care, and a blood transfusion.
Rushing your dog to the veterinarian as fast as you can is recommended. If there is a delay or your dog doesn’t receive treatment, it can lead to death.
Healthy Vegetable Options for Dogs
Now that you know you can’t feed your dog onions, you probably wonder what is safe to give your dog. The following list of fresh vegetables and fruits is tasty, nutritious, and safe to give your dog.
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Cucumbers
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cranberries
- Mango
- Oranges
- Peaches
- Pears
- Pineapple
- Raspberries
- Watermelon
- Strawberries
- Celery
- Peas
- Spinach
Bottom Line
Feeding your dog these healthy and safe fruits and vegetables is an excellent alternative to toxic onions.
You can be creative about the way you serve your dog these healthy snacks such as cutting them into perfect bite-size pieces, adding some to kibble, trying dog-friendly recipes such as banana and peanut butter treats, and much more.
Can my dog eat onions? Accidents happen, and nobody plans to feed their beloved dog toxic food such as onions. So, if your dog has accidentally consumed onions, take action immediately by taking them to the nearest veterinarian for treatment.
Remember, the faster you react, the better it will be for your dog. Avoid trying to treat the problem at home because the longer you wait, the worse it will get.
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Lisabeth
Lisabeth has been a content blog writer for almost 10 years. She had fostered many dogs in that time, including 11 Golden Retrievers. She recently adopted an Australian Shepard named Shadow.
