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03/23/2025
Onions, garlic, chives & leeks are at the heart of many culinary masterpieces. but this morning's Pet Poison Prevention Week article explains why they are bad news for cats & dogs.
These are all members of the Allium family, and are poisonous to both dogs & cats if they eat a single large serving or repeatedly nibble on small amounts over time. Garlic is considered to be about five times as toxic as onions for cats and dogs. Any form of these vegetables can be toxic, including dried, powdered, liquid, cooked or raw, as well as human nutritional supplements (like garlic tablets). Certain dog & cat breeds and species seem to be more sensitive to these plants, particularly those of Japanese descent (e.g., Akita or Shiba Inu).
Allium poisoning results in gastroenteritis (e.g., nausea, oral irritation, drooling, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea), and more seriously, oxidative damage to the red blood cells, which causes them to rupture. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body, so their destruction leads to symptoms of anemia, including lethargy, pale gums, an elevated heart rate, an increased respiratory rate, weakness, exercise intolerance, collapse, and even death. Alliums also relax heart muscles and dilate blood vessels causing circulatory problems and low blood pressure. This leads to weakness and further impedes the delivery of oxygen to vital organs. Moreover, chemicals derived from some of these plants diminish the ability of the blood to clot.
Allium poisoning may have a delayed onset, and clinical signs may not be apparent for several days. If you suspect that your cat or dog has eaten one of these plants, call us right away (or after hours, call your nearest emergency clinic or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661). If the ingestion was recent, vets may be able to induce vomiting to remove any undigested plants from your pet's stomach, and administer activated charcoal to prevent the toxin from taking hold in the body. If the allium has already been digested, your pet may require IV fluids & medications, and if they have severe anemia, they may require a blood transfusion and oxygen therapy.
