Can dogs have onions? An expert weighs in on how bad the vegetable is for your pup.

Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY
Updated ·3 min read
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You’re sitting down to eat when suddenly you feel the brush of fur on your leg or the thump of a tail at your feet. It’s your dog, of course, looking irresistibly cute and begging for a bite of your dinner.

But is it okay to “accidentally” drop a piece?

Some human foods are healthy for pups. Chicken and rice, for example, make an easily digestible choice now and then to soothe a dog’s upset stomach. Others, like avocados, are toxic to dogs.

Here’s where onions and other similar vegetables fall on the spectrum.

Can dogs eat onions?

Onion is toxic to dogs. Onions, garlic, leeks and chives all belong to the plant genus Allium and are dangerous for dogs and cats, says Diana Watkins, a veterinarian and owner of 143 Veterinary Services in Cohasset, Massachusetts.

Onions and garlic often fly under the radar for pet owners when it comes to toxicity, Watkins says. They may be ingredients in the chicken broth you saved for your dog or the seasoning in a scrap they munched off the floor. Onion powder, a common seasoning, is particularly toxic because it’s more concentrated than the raw vegetable.

Allium vegetables contain oxidizing agents that, in dogs, destroy red blood cells and make it so their organs don't get enough oxygen. These dogs develop hemolytic anemia, which is a low red blood cell count that causes various health complications and even death. Some dog breeds of Japanese descent, like Akita and Shiba Inu, may have a higher risk for onion toxicity, according to VCA Animal Hospitals.

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How much onion is toxic to dogs?

The amount depends on your dog's weight and size, though Watkins says it's better to be safe than sorry. Call for professional help if you see your dog eat any amount of onion, she advises.

“You can give (the ASPCA poison hotline) your dog’s body weight and tell them how much they ate and they will tell you right there over the phone whether it’s a toxic level or not,” Watkins says.

What to do if your dog eats onion

If your dog ate any amount of onion contact your vet or the ASPCA’s 24-hour Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. If your dog is exhibiting signs of anemia, bring them to your local emergency vet.

Symptoms of anemia may take three to five days to appear in your dog, according to Watkins. Keep an eye out for any of these signs:

  • Gastrointestinal issues, including vomiting and diarrhea

  • Depression

  • High heart rate

  • High respiratory rate

  • Loss of appetite

  • Weakness or unwillingness to exercise

  • Pale gums

  • Yellow hue in the whites of the eyes

  • Red or brown urine

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can dogs eat onions? Find out what's toxic for your pup from experts