Skip to Content

How Much Onion Is Toxic to Dogs? Onion Poisoning In Dogs

Onions make our meals delicious, and we love to add this veggie in our dishes and can even eat directly. But this doesn’t mean that vegetables and foods we love and safe for us will be fine and safe for our dogs. Many dogs owners around the globe often ask can dogs eat Onions and how much onion is safe and toxic for dogs.

Onion is toxic to dogs, but how much onion is harmful to a dog? According to Pet experts and veterinarians, the unhealthy amount of onion for dogs is about 2.5g of onion per kilogram by body weight.

Our Servdogs Experts will let you know all the possible aspects of onion for dogs in this article. You can use the table of content for smooth navigation.

How much onion is toxic to Dogs?

The toxic amount is 2.5g of onion per kilogram for small breeds, and 15-30 grams per kilogram for medium to large breeds is enough to cause toxicity in dogs. That concludes that 100 grams of onion per 20 kilograms of a dog’s weight will be enough to cause toxic effects. The toxicity of any poisonous food and plants on a dog depends on age, body weight, health condition, breed, and amount of toxic food or plant. Some may develop severe symptoms and health conditions than others.

Please remember that all forms of the Allium species are toxic to dogs. Dried, powdered, packed, liquid, and cooked, all forms are toxic.

Onion is toxic to cats as well. Read more How much onion is toxic to cats for a comprehensive guide.

Why is Onion bad for Dogs?

Almost every dog owner knows that onion is toxic to dogs, but many lack knowledge about why onion is bad for dogs? and what happens if a dog eats onions? Onion belongs to the Allium species.

All the plants in the Allium species that are toxic to dogs include onions, leeks, chives, and garlic contains a unique compounds known as organosulfur disulfides and thiosulfate. Unlike humans, dogs lack the enzymes to metabolize these compounds.

Organosulfur compounds are generally metabolized into highly reactive oxidants, which directly bind to the canine erythrocytes and badly damage the red blood cells.

The actual reason for the onion toxicity in a dog is,  the oxidant levels within erythrocytes cause oxidative hemolysis. The oxidative hemolysis affects the oxygen transportation in the red blood cells that cause damage to the red blood cells and can put canine in severe health issues.

Symptoms of onion Toxicity in Dogs:

  • GI upset
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Weakness
  • Lethargy
  • Restlessness
  • Panting
  • Collapse
  • Pale or bluish gums
  • Whining
  • Reddish urine
  • Abdominal pain
  • Rapid heartrate

How to Treat onion Toxicity in Dogs?

Onion toxicity is fatal and needs immediate veterinary care and treatment. Delaying can lead your dog to a severe health condition.

How do you treat a dog who ate onions? A vet may use specific techniques to cure onion toxicity in dogs. If your puppy has recently ingested the onion, your vet will try to induce vomiting to prevent the further absorption of the vegetable. Your vet will first try to induce vomiting by using activated charcoal to clean your dog’s stomach.

In worse cases, your vet will hospitalize your canine and will offer supportive care, a series of medications to prevent your puppy from a severe health condition.

Your vet will perform a series of blood tests to detect hemolytic anemia or the formation of Heinz bodies and will check your canine red blood cell level. Treatment will continue until the damaged red blood cell is replaced by the healthy cells.

Prevention is better than cure. The best and recommended way to protect your canine from toxicity is to keep your puppy away from the toxic food and never allow him to eat. The toxicity of the onions requires proper veterinary care and treatment.

What parts of Onion are Toxic to Dogs?

Any form includes dry, green, fry, proceed, cooked, juice, and any part of the onion includes flesh, peel, leaves are toxic to dogs. Do not give any form and any part of the onion to your puppy.

Onion poisoning will put your pooch in health complications and can be fatal. If your pup eats the vegetable, keep an eye on your canine and contact your vet immediately to avoid complications.

Dogs that are more susceptible to Onion Toxicity:

Almost all dogs are susceptible to develop Onion Toxicity; however, certain breeds, such as Japanese breeds like Shiba Inu and Akita, are more exposed to the hematologic effects of onions. 

According to Veterinarians, Onion toxicity can mainly occur in dogs with hereditary high erythrocytes. The high erythrocyte reduced glutathione level that circulating potassium level in the pup’s body and develop onion toxicity.

Dogs having a weak immune system and the weaker ratio of red blood cells that mainly occurs by the deficiency of zinc and glucose-6 phosphate deficiency can quickly develop toxicity.

How much time does it take for a Dog to Recover from Onion Poisoning?

The recovery time of any food poisoning depends on the amount of ingestion, overall health, and breed of the dog. Usually, a dog can recover from the onion toxicity and poisoning in 3 to 7 days, depending on the treatment and health condition of the dog.

In some dogs, a tiny amount of the Allium species don’t cause poisoning; however, in certain breeds such as Japan’s breed like Akita and Shiba Inu develop toxicity by ingesting a small amount of onion or garlic.

So this is the best idea if your canine eats a tiny amount, keep a close eye and look for the symptoms. If you notice any of the symptoms, contact your vet immediately.

Please remember if your canine has eaten an enormous amount of Allium species, contact your vet immediately and make sure to take your puppy to the vet because onion poisoning is fatal and needs proper veterinary care and treatment.

You May Also Like To Read:

FAQ:

What happens if a Dog eats Onion?

Any form of onion, Dried, powdered, packed, liquid, and cooked are toxic to dogs and can lead your canine to severe health issues. Eating onion or any other Allium species can cause onion poisoning in dogs. Allium species contains a unique compound known as organosulfur disulfides and thiosulfates.

Unfortunately, dogs lack the enzymes to metabolize these compounds, produce poisoning effects in puppies, and badly damage red blood cells.

How long does it take for Onion Toxicity in Dogs?

Onion poisoning in dogs depends on the amount of ingestion, overall health, and breed. Usually, a dog can recover from the onion toxicity in 3 to 7 days, depending on the treatment and health condition of the dog.

A tiny amount of the onion doesn’t cause toxicity; however, in certain breeds such as Japan’s breed like Akita and Shiba Inu develop poisoning by ingesting a small amount of onion or garlic.

Can onion Kill a Dog?

Yes, onion poisoning is dangerous and can kill your dog if ingested in a high amount. According to veterinarians and pet nutritionists, all Allium species include onion, can badly damage your canine health.

In some dogs, a tiny amount of the onion doesn’t cause toxicity; however, certain breeds such as Japan’s breed like Akita and Shiba Inu and dogs having weak immune systems or other health problems can even develop poisoning ingesting a small amount of onion or garlic.

Can dogs have Chicken Broth with an Onion?

No, adding onion to the chicken broth is not a safe idea. Chicken broth in moderation is safe for dogs; however, adding garlic, onion, or other Allium species is harmful and toxic. If your puppy is fond of eating chicken broth, don’t add any toxic ingredients and veggies. 

Can dogs have Chicken Broth with an Onion

What can I do at Home if my Dog ate Onions?

Eating onion is toxic for dogs. If you notice your pup ate onion, please don’t try any home remedy. Onion poisoning can be fatal contact your vet immediately to prevent your puppy from severe complications.  Make sure to prevent your canine from the garlic, onion, and other Allium species. 

What can I do at Home if my Dog ate Onions

What to Do if your dog eats Onions?

If you observe your dog has ingested onion garlic or any other Allium species, contact your vet to prevent your canine from onion poisoning.  According to Veterinarians, a tiny amount of the onion doesn’t cause toxicity in some dogs; however, in certain breeds such as Japan’s breed like Akita and Shiba Inu develop onion toxicity by ingesting a small amount of onion or garlic.

Are cooked onions bad for dogs?

Yes, onion in any form cooked, green, Dried, powdered, packed, and liquid all forms are bad for dogs. A tiny amount may not harm your pup; however, ingesting onion in a rich amount can lead your pet to severe health conditions, and even death can occur.

How much onion powder is Toxic to dogs?

Onion in any form powder, green, dried, cooked, is toxic to dogs. The unhealthy amount of onion for dogs is about 2.5g of onion per kilogram by body weight.

Is Onion Powder Toxic to Dogs?

Yes, onion powder is toxic to dogs. But, according to pet experts and veterinarians, onion in any form is toxic to dogs and causes onion poisoning, which puts a puppy to serve health conditions.