Why Are Onions Toxic to Dogs? 

Most humans love onions because they add so much flavor to various dishes around the globe! Just because humans love onions doesn’t mean that dogs should. We will investigate onion toxicity, explain why onions harm dogs, and explain what to do if your dog congests onion. Let’s go!

Onions are NOT safe for dogs. There are no exceptions! Onions are known as one of the most dangerous human foods for canines. We are referring to all parts of the onion. Onions are so toxic to dogs because they contain a chemical known as N-propyl disulfide. This chemical binds to a dog’s red blood cells and causes oxidative damage. The red blood cell membrane can become fragile, which causes the red blood cells to burst. This is not good because vital organs will not get enough oxygen.

Accidents happen, so you should understand how much onion can make your dog sick. Historically, toxicity occurs when a dog ingests more than 0.5% of their body weight in onions during one sitting. That said, even the smallest amount of onion can poison a dog easily. Of course, the smaller the dog, the greater the danger. Signs of onion toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, pale gums, increased respiratory rate, and red-colored urine.

Do you suspect that your dog ate onions, and they are experiencing the symptoms that we listed above? If so, you must contact your veterinarian immediately! You may also contact the Pet Poison Helpline to have the risk of poisoning assessed. Time is crucial when dealing with onion toxicity, so do not wait.