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Are you one of the dog owners who will feed their dogs with everything they eat? If you are, then your dog is in danger. Even appealing foods like onions can be dangerous to dogs. Can dogs eat onions? You probably know the answer by now, but the real matter is far more complex. Don’t worry. We will give you all the details you need to know.
Can Dogs Eat Onions?
The answer is no! In reality. Onions are toxic to dogs, and you must not feed your dog this food. Onions will also cause bad breath, but this is the least important problem here.
The explanation is simple but complex at the same time. A simple explanation is that onions contain toxins that can cause anemia in dogs. A more complex explanation is a bit more interesting, though. The N-propyl disulfide is present in onions. This is a toxin for dogs. It will kill red blood cells. These cells transport oxygen and nutrients to all organs in the body.
When their count is decreased, the body will suffer for oxygen and nutrients. Even more severe is the fact that this toxin will ‘’instruct’’ the body to attract and kill red blood cells which makes the situation even worse. As a result, your pet will become anemic. The toxin causes hemolytic anemia (hemolysis is a process in which red blood cells die
All Onion-Based Products Are Bad
Don’t think that some parts of onions are safe for dogs. They are not. As a matter of fact, flesh, juice, powder, leaves and all the rest will contain the toxin. There is no safe way for a dog to eat onions or garlic for that matter. 100 grams of onion can cause poisoning of a medium-sized dog.
A large dog will need a bit more, but even then, a large onion will cause this issue. 100 grams of onion will poison your 20 kg dog! Keep that in mind the next time you want to give onion to your pet.
Onion powder is a huge issue as well. It is more potent than raw onion meaning that even a small amount can be toxic. The worst thing here is that all kinds of products and food do contain onion powder. The only thing you can do is to check the label on that product and if you see onion (or anything similar to onions) avoid that product.
Symptoms Your Pet Will Have If He is Poisoned and Treatment He Will Need
It is possible that a dog finds an onion and eats it. He can eat food that contains onions. One way or another, he may end up poisoned. If that happens, he will show certain signs, certain symptoms. These are:
If you notice one or more of these symptoms, take your dog to a vet. If he ate onions now you know why he is displaying these symptoms. A vet can diagnose the anemia and can start treatment. We must add that many other conditions and disorders can cause anemia in dogs. The symptoms will be similar hence you still have to take him to a vet.
In those cases when you don’t know whether a dog ate onions and he doesn’t have any of the symptoms from above, monitor his condition. The toxin will act fast so the signs can start to show within hours or even sooner depending on the amount of onion your pet ate. The sooner you notice one sign, take him to a vet. As with all treatments, these are far more effective and successful if you start as soon as possible.
The treatment is simple. A vet will have to induce vomiting. This is used to remove all traces of onion in the stomach and the digestive tract. You can do the same at home, but in this case, it is much better to take him to a professional. He will then monitor your dog.
The goal is to make sure there are no huge problems until the red blood cells are replaced. When a problem is massive and too many red blood cells are destroyed, transfusion is the only option. If you take your pet soon and he doesn’t eat a lot of onions, he will be fine. Just to add, sitting at home and waiting for your pet to recover is not an option. It is not possible for a dog to remove the toxin from the blood hence professional help is mandatory!
Similar Foods That Are Toxic To Your Pet
Onions are for your dog. We all know that now. But there are a lot of different foods that are also bad. Onions are a part of the allium family. In the same family, we can see garlic, scallion, shallots, and leeks. All of these are extremely dangerous and you must not feed your dog with these or with foods that contain these ingredients. Garlic is probably an even worse option. It contains much higher levels of N-propyl disulfide hence it can cause anemia much quicker.
Many dogs don’t like the taste of raw onion or garlic. But, they do like an onion ring. They will enjoy this treat. The problem is still present and there is no need to add that all foods that contain these ingredients are bad, period.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Onions
If you find yourself in the worrying situation where your dog has eaten onions, it’s crucial to act promptly and correctly. Onions, whether raw or cooked, can be harmful to dogs, and knowing the right steps to take can make a significant difference in your dog’s health. Here’s what you should do:
1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
- First, try to remain calm. Panicking can stress both you and your dog.
- Quickly determine how much onion your dog ate and when. If possible, note the type of onion and its form (raw, cooked, powdered).
2. Remove Any Remaining Onions
- Immediately remove any remaining onions from your dog’s reach. This prevents further ingestion, which could worsen the situation.
3. Consult Your Veterinarian Immediately
- Contact your veterinarian or a local emergency animal hospital as soon as possible.
- Provide them with details about your dog’s size, the amount and type of onion consumed, and any symptoms you’ve noticed.
- Follow their advice, which may include bringing your dog in for an examination.
4. Monitor for Symptoms of Onion Toxicity
- While waiting for professional advice or on your way to the vet, keep an eye on your dog for signs of onion toxicity. These can include lethargy, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, pale gums, and rapid breathing.
- Remember, symptoms may not appear immediately, so close monitoring over the next few days is crucial.
5. Prepare for Possible Treatment
- Your vet may suggest various treatments depending on the severity of the ingestion. This could range from inducing vomiting, administering activated charcoal (to absorb the toxins), IV fluids, or more intensive care if anemia develops.
- Be prepared for your vet to run blood tests to check your dog’s red blood cell count.
6. Follow-Up Care
- After initial treatment, your dog may need follow-up visits to the vet to monitor their recovery.
- Follow any dietary recommendations or medication prescriptions provided by your veterinarian.
7. Prevent Future Incidents
- Finally, take steps to ensure onions and other toxic foods are out of your dog’s reach in the future. Educate family members and visitors about the dangers of feeding these foods to your dog.
Prompt action and professional veterinary care are key in managing onion ingestion in dogs. While the prognosis is generally good with early intervention, prevention is always the best approach. Remember, when it comes to your furry friend’s health, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
The Final Word
Dogs can eat a lot of food and ingredients. Can dogs eat onions? No, they must not eat onions. They are bad for dogs and can be fatal! In general, onions will cause anemia in dogs and even small amounts can be fatal. This is especially the case with raw onions, onion powder, and all other foods that contain onions. Garlic and other foods from the same family are dangerous as well!
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