Green onions or onion powder are frequently used in every human cuisine. They are the essential ingredient of human-based foods. We used to add onions in soups, chowmein, and onion powder as a flavor in numerous dishes. People love the aroma and flavor of green onions, especially.
But, can dogs eat green onions? Can we share a little bit of onion-based food with our furry friend? It will be surprising for you that green onions are not recommended for dogs. These vegetables have various health risks for our canine companions.
Can Dogs Eat Green Onions Without any Health Concern?
Many pet owners wonder about sharing their regular meals with their pets to make them habitual of homemade foods. But can it be safe for green onions? It is not suggested to feed onions-based cuisines to your beloved dogs. Onions are purely made for human consumption. This vegetable has components that are not safe for dogs.
Onions are mainly composed of N-propyl disulfide which prompts highly toxic reactions in dogs. They can destroy the red blood cells of your pet and make him anemic. Thus, before incorporating any such human-based food into your pet’s diet, consulting a vet is critical.
Also read: Can Dogs Eat Papaya?
Symptoms of Toxicities of Green Onions in Dogs
Green onions or onion powder can be toxic to dogs and present numerous symptoms. A pet parent must know about the symptoms of onion toxicities in dogs. The main cause of this toxicity is the N-propyl disulfide component found in abundance in onions. Some of the alarming symptoms are discussed below.
1.Unusual Breathing Rate
The key symptom of any toxicity is restless breathing. The onion toxin directly attacks the respiratory system of canines and disrupts the larynx. It results in unusual breathing rates and panic attacks in our furry friends.
2.Hypertension
Whenever your dog ingests green onions, it gets dissolved in blood and slowly increases the heart rate. Extended heart rate can result in hypertension which could be lethal for dogs if left untreated.
3.Digestive Discomfort
N-proply disulphide does not suit our pet’s gut which will lead to many digestive issues. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular bowel movement, and stomach ache. Take your pet to a vet clinic before it’s too late.
4.Loss of Appetite
You may notice unusual behavior of your dog during meal times. Pets do not want to eat when they are ill. The same happens due to onion toxicities in dogs. Your dog may show a loss of appetite and will not be excited for his loving treats.
5.Lethargy
Another key symptom of onion toxicity is the loss of everyday energy. Dogs usually do not want to play or be involved in routine activities when they have any underlying health problems. This condition needs a vet consultation to avoid persistent harm and health problems.
6.Allergic Reactions
Green onions and their potential components can cause various allergic reactions to our canine companions. You may observe symptoms like hives, bruises, breathlessness, itching, redness, or scratching.
7.Blood Disorder
N-propyl disulfide mainly destroys the red blood cells when introduced in dogs. They not only cause hypertension in pets but also lead to severe blood deficiency i.e. anemia. The hemolysis of red blood cells leads to extreme weakness and fatigue in dogs. Your pet may faint or go into a coma if not get proper treatment.
8.Pale Gums
Onion toxicity results in yellowing of the mucus membrane such as gums, palms, oral cavities, paws, or thin cartilage of ears. Paleness is an alarming sign of extreme illness. You can not ignore the yellowness in your pet’s eyes and gums. Immediately rush to the vet and get proper treatment.
9.Discoloration of Urine
Hemolysis also results in the discoloration of urine from yellow to reddish brown. This indicates a serious health issue in dogs. If this condition is left untreated, you will notice the blood in the urine that is surely lethal for your pet and he may lose his life.
10.Behavioral Changes
When your pet is facing any medical problem, the first sign comes with his behavioral changes. He may not love the things he used to do every day. He may lost interest in playing and enjoying treat times. The laziness will not allow him to wake up and take part in routine activities. You must be concerned about this behavior of your dog.
How Much Onion is Toxic to Dogs?
The toxic amount of onions depends upon the size of your furry friend. Research revealed that consumption of more than 0.5% of the general body weight can result in onion toxicities in dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, 100gm of onion is lethal for a dog with 20 kg body weight. This statement indicates that even a small amount of onion is not safe for canines.
For instance, studies have been made on different dog sizes and their consumption of onions. For example, 25 grams of onion is toxic for a small pup of 5 kg body weight. Whereas, 125gm of onion is not recommended for large dogs of around 25 kg. It does not mean that we can give less than 125 grams of onion to adult dogs.
Read more: Risks of Feeding Cabbage to Your Dog
The risk of toxicities will remain the same for each pet. You can not consider a slight tolerance of adult dogs as a safe margin. Vets always emphasize avoiding onions to incorporate in your pet’s daily food. Seek healthy dog-safe alternatives to avoid unwanted health concerns.
What to Do If My Dog Eat Green Onions?
Can dogs eat onions and green peppers? Dogs have a sensitive immune system that can not tolerate onions and green peppers. Thus, you must avoid such human foods. If your dog accidentally eats green onions, follow the given steps and seek a vet’s consultation immediately.
1.Observe Dog’s Reaction
Whenever your dog is introduced to green onions mistakenly, observe its reactions closely. Seek for symptoms of onion toxicities such as breathlessness, vomiting, excessive panting, lethargy, loss of appetite, or any GI discomfort.
2.Consult a Vet
If any of the above symptoms, rush to a vet clinic nearby. Never hide any information related to your pet’s condition or behaviors from his vet. Any misinformation can provoke wrong treatment which may worsen your pet’s health. Try to discuss every little detail of the diet he ate and arisen symptoms.
3.Follow Vet’s Recommendations
Being a responsible pet owner, you have to stick with the vet’s recommendation whether it is about the dietary aspects or routine exercises. Try to follow the recommended dose at the directed time. Any mishandling can bring lethal effects to your pet’s life.
4.Seek Safe Alternatives
Green onions and chives are both toxic to dogs in small amounts like onions. All belong to the allium family. Always seek safe alternatives such as dog-friendly fruits and vegetables. Carrots, broccoli, cucumber, peas, green beans, etc are generally safe for our canine companions.
How Do Vets Treat Onion Toxicity in Dogs?
Treatment of onion toxicity depends on the amount of food your pet has ingested. The smaller amount has the least severe chances than the larger ones. We have covered the details of the treatment, a vet usually follows for onion toxicity.
1.Induce Vomiting
If your dog is introduced to a few grams of green onions, a vet usually tries to induce vomiting to prevent its complete absorption. This treatment may be done with fingers or some medicines but is only applicable to pets with minimal onion consumption.
2.Activated Charcoal
If you delay visiting your vet clinic, vomiting will not be a complete and successful treatment. Your vet now shifts to a treatment with activated charcoal. It will absorb all the toxins from your dog’s gut and minimize its absorption in the blood.
3.IV Fluids
In severe cases, vets shift to more intensive treatment such as intravenous fluids. IV fluids are more helpful in flushing the onion toxins completely from the body via urine. Moreover, it keeps your pet hydrated and prevents various kidney problems.
4.Oxygen Therapy
If your dog suffers from severe respiratory distress or anemia, he needs an oxygen-supportive treatment. It is because anemia reduces the oxygen supply to many vital organs which could be lethal if not attended.
5.Blood Tests
A blood test is essential to closely monitor all vital signs such as heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, sugar level, and sufficient oxygen levels. Vets suggest regular blood tests in case of anemia especially. It will help your dog to get immediate treatment and on-time diagnosis of any illness.
6.Blood Transfusion
The prolonged green onion toxicity can lead to massive destruction of red blood cells and cause severe anemia. This condition can take the life of your beloved pet if you do not switch to blood transfusion. Select a reputable clinic with a licensed vet to get the right treatment.
Recovery from Onion Poisoning in Dogs
Dogs can easily recover from the mild toxicity of green onion poisoning in a few days when treated with a low-fat and healthy diet. However, severe toxicity needs veterinary treatment. You should take extensive care of your pet and be cautious with his diet. Stick to the vet-recommended doses and dietary plan for your canine companion.
Consider homemade food with dog-friendly ingredients to keep your canine buddy healthy and fit throughout life. Never make changes on your own without consulting your vet. He will suggest an adequate diet depending on your pet’s nutritional demands and underlying health condition.
Last Words
Can dogs eat green onions? It is not suggested to feed green onions or chives to your pet companion due to their N-propyl disulfide component. Green onions have numerous health risks for our pet companions as mentioned in this blog. Be cautious with such human-based food especially food from the allium family.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. How much yellow onion is toxic to dogs?
A. Onions are strictly prohibited to use as a dog diet even if it is a yellow onion. The N-propyl disulfide component of onions is the major cause of potential toxicities in dogs. Thus, always avoid foods from the allium family.
Q. Can dogs eat green onions with a hydrating drink?
A. Hydrating drinks are beneficial for dogs during summer but they can not reduce the toxicity risk of feeding green onions. Vets always suggest a healthy and dog-safe diet that is aligned with its particular nutritional demands.
Q. Can dogs eat ginger?
A. Ginger can be safe for dogs in fresh or powdered form. Never consider it a regular ingredient of your pet’s food. Seek a vet’s guidance before incorporating human food such as ginger into your pet’s eating regimen to avoid unwanted health circumstances.
