Can Dogs Eat Onions? 

Onions can cause a lot of damage to your four-legged friend. The culinary favorite may be good for adding flavor to our dishes, but it contains toxins that can cause severe complications for dogs. This toxic principle is known as N-propyl disulfide, a compound that causes a breakdown of red blood cells leading to anemia in dogs. However, there are other things that you must consider.

The toxin causes oxidative damage to the dog’s red blood cells by attaching to the oxygen molecules in those cells. Unfortunately, this reduces the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen and tricks your dog’s body into thinking that the blood cell is the invader. The red blood cell is ultimately destroyed in a process known as hemolysis, resulting in hemolytic anemia.

You may be wondering what parts of onions are toxic to dogs. All parts of the onion plant are toxic to dogs, including the flesh, juice, leaves, and processed powders. It doesn’t matter if the onion is cooked, fried, or powdered. It is also important to note that the rest of the allium family is also harmful to dogs. Think of garlic, chives, and leeks.

Be aware that onion powder is in a surprisingly wide range of foods, from soups to baby food. This is a serious concern, especially if pet owners are not carefully watching their dogs as they may get into foods they shouldn’t. With this being said, check the labels of all foods!

The answer is no…dogs cannot eat onions. If you think your dog may have eaten onions, look out for the symptoms of anemia, including lethargy, weakness, decreased appetite, and fainting. It is best to seek veterinary assistance if your dog exhibits any of these symptoms. Consider other vegetables for your four-legged friend! Carrots, cucumbers, and green beans are healthy treats with a ton of nutritional value.