Onions and Dogs: Deadly Mix?
Onions are one of those common household foods in America. It turns out that onions are one of the most popular vegetable crops in the world just behind tomatoes. They are so widely grown because they are used in dishes around the world. Onions go great with just about any food. They can be used raw in salads, cooked into delicious bread and cornbread, on top of pizza, in pasta sauce, and just about any other cooked food.
It is estimated that approximately 93 million metric tons of them are grown each year. That’s a lot of onions! With so many onions around in the world, dogs are bound to be exposed to them. So that begs the question, can dogs eat onions?
No, dogs should not eat onions, they are toxic to them. Onions are one of those foods that your dog should never eat. They rank up there in the list of toxic foods for dogs right alongside grapes and raisins. Do not ever feed your dog onions. If you ever see a post or a website that says dogs can eat onions, don’t believe it. Here is why.
When a dog consumes an onion, the toxins can quickly start to take effect. The same chemical compounds that give onions their pungent flavor are also those responsible for toxicity in dogs. Onions contain a substance known as N-propyl disulfide. This sulfur-based compound is responsible for causing damage to the dog’s red blood cells. This in turn causes Heinz cell anemia in the dog which can be fatal If left untreated. It can also be quite expensive to treat, so it is best to avoid letting your dog eat onions at all.
Common Sources Of Onion Exposure
As you most likely already know, dogs are very opportunistic eaters. They will grab anything they can and devour it as fast as possible if you’re not paying attention. Even a freshly fed dog will take advantage when it sees something easily accessible. That is why it is critical to keep onions away from dogs. This actually pertains to anything in the allium genus, they are all toxic to dogs.
Dogs will not commonly eat whole onions. They will however eat onion rings, foods with onion powder, casserole dishes, and many other prepared foods. It is best to keep your dog away from anything that contains onions, keep it out of reach.

Symptoms Of Onion Toxicity In Dogs
The symptoms can start in as little as an hour depending on many factors. The size of the dog, the breed, the amount that was eaten, and what was eaten are all factors that influence the onset of symptoms. A majority of dogs that eat onions will start with GI issues. Expect to see the following:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
If left untreated, which is totally not recommended, Heinz body formation starts within 24 hours and peaks by the 72nd hour. Clinical signs of anemia can start in as little as 3 to 7 days. It is possible you will see these additional symptoms if your dog has anemia. They may show only a few of the symptoms, in more severe cases you can expect to see most of the symptoms below.
- Panting
- Pale gums
- Fainting
- Increased heart rate
- Difficulty breathing
It goes without saying, but if your dog was exposed to a large number of onions and has any of the above symptoms you should contact your vet immediately. The sooner you act the better the outcome will be for your pet.
Treatment For Onion Toxicity In Dogs
So the good news, is if your dog ate onions, it can be treated. It is best to take your dog to the vet to have it properly evaluated. The first concern would be dehydration if your dog has been vomiting or having loose stools. The vet may want to keep the dog overnight even if it does not have symptoms of anemia just to monitor hydration. They may even opt to put your dog on an IV drip.
Depending on how much onion was eaten, there are a few different things that can be done to reduce the damage that onions cause. They can clean out the GI tract via an enema, they can use active carbon, and they can also use a solution of diluted hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. Even though active charcoal is listed as a treatment, there is not really any evidence that shows it does anything.
Can Dogs Eat Onions FAQ
Can dogs eat onions cooked?
What are the symptoms of onion poisoning in dogs?
How much onion is toxic to dogs?
How to treat onion poisoning at home?
Is one onion ring going to hurt my dog?
Will a tiny piece of onion hurt my dog?
What to do if the dog ate a small piece of onion?
Summary: Can dogs eat onions?
- Dogs should not eat onions
- Dogs should be seen by a vet within 2 hours of eating onions if a large amount was eaten
- Small amounts of onions will not hurt a dog
- The first signs of onion toxicity are vomiting and diarrhea, followed by panting, difficulty breathing, and rapid heart rate.
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Has your dog ever been exposed to a large number of onions? What did you do? Please leave a comment below.