Never feed

Can dogs eat onions, garlic, leeks, chives and shallots?

Never feed any allium, in any form. They destroy red blood cells, and because the damage builds over several days a dog can seem completely fine on the day it eats them.

Call now

+1 (888) 426-4435ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center · US · 24/7. A consultation fee applies.
+1 (855) 764-7661Pet Poison Helpline · US · 24/7. A consultation fee applies.
01202 509000Animal PoisonLine · UK · 24/7. Lower cost than a direct vet call.
1300 869 738Animal Poisons Centre · AU · 24/7, free for the public.

Do not wait for symptoms and do not try to make your dog sick unless a vet has told you to — some substances cause more damage coming back up. Have your dog's weight, what was eaten, roughly how much, and when, ready before you call.

What to do

Call a vet, and mention how long ago it was eaten. If the exposure was recent, decontamination may be worthwhile. Otherwise the vet will likely want to check a blood count several days later, when anaemia would show.

Signs to watch for

lethargy and weakness
pale gums
rapid breathing
fast heart rate
reddish-brown urine
jaundice
reduced appetite

When: Gut upset within a day; anaemia typically appears 1–5 days later.

What makes it harmful

N-propyl disulfide and related organosulfur compounds

These compounds oxidise haemoglobin, which clumps into Heinz bodies. The spleen removes the damaged cells, and if enough are destroyed the dog becomes anaemic. The delay between eating and illness is what makes this dangerous — owners rarely connect a dog that is weak on Thursday with the onion gravy it had on Monday.

How much matters

Around 5 g/kg for onions, roughly 0.5% of body weight, though repeated smaller doses accumulate. Garlic is about five times more potent by weight. Powdered forms are far more concentrated than fresh, which is why onion soup mix, stock cubes and seasoned leftovers cause more cases than raw onion does. Cooking does not reduce the toxicity.

Also check for

baby food
stock cubes and gravy
pizza
curry and stir-fry leftovers
seasoned meat
onion rings
hummus (usually contains garlic)

How confident is this

established

Well established in the veterinary literature and consistent across sources.

Salgado BS, et al. Allium species poisoning in dogs and cats. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2011;17(1):4-11.
Cope RB. Allium species poisoning in dogs and cats. Vet Med 2005;100(8):562-566.
Merck Veterinary Manual, Toxicology of Food-Associated Hazards

Check another food

Informational only, and not a substitute for veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and this page cannot account for your dog's age, size, health conditions or medication. If you are worried, phone a vet — that call is always the right call.