are onions poisonous for cats

Can cats eat onions? Cats shouldn’t eat onions because they are part of a group of plants called alliums, which are toxic to cats. Onions (including spring onions and shallots) are the most toxic allium for cats, but garlic, chives and leeks are also toxic, even when cooked or dried.

Help us make PetMD better

Was this article helpful?

Treating Onion Poisoning in Cats

Cats who suffer from onion poisoning frequently need to stay in the hospital until the entire extent of the damage to their red blood cells has been determined and addressed.

In addition to giving activated charcoal and other decontamination therapies to help reduce the amount of toxin absorbed into the bloodstream, your veterinarian may induce vomiting if the pet consumed onions recently—within the last two hours—in order to get rid of any leftover onion in the stomach. Unless specifically instructed to do so by a veterinarian, never induce vomiting in your cat at home as it can often cause more harm than good.

To assess your cat’s red blood cell count and determine whether they require a blood transfusion, your veterinarian will draw blood samples on a regular basis. Additional laboratory tests, such as complete blood counts and urine samples, will be conducted to evaluate other organs, such as the kidneys and liver, for any harmful alterations.

In order to help with the gastrointestinal symptoms and/or liver condition your cat may have developed, they will remain hospitalized and receive IV fluids and other medications. It’s possible that your cat requires extra oxygen to compensate for the oxygen lost from the damaged red blood cells.

Your cat’s red blood cell counts will probably need to be checked for a few weeks after recovering from onion toxicity. For a cat with onion toxicity who received prompt decontamination and medical attention, the prognosis is rather favorable. Cats with severe anemia and liver failure, as well as those who do not receive prompt, aggressive treatment, are more susceptible to it.

A pungent poisoning: Onion toxicosis in a cat. DVM 360. Accessed May 2, 2023. https://www. dvm360. com/view/pungent-poisoning-onion-toxicosis-cat.

Featured : iStock/portostock

A pungent poisoning: Onion toxicosis in a cat. DVM 360. Accessed May 2, 2023. https://www. dvm360. com/view/pungent-poisoning-onion-toxicosis-cat.

Featured : iStock/portostock

Originally from Fort Worth, Barri Morrison presently resides there. Lauderdale, Florida. She went to University of Florida for her.

Are Onions Bad for Cats?

Although a cat could bite into a raw onion, it’s more likely that they’ll eat something that contains onions. Keep your cat away from anything that contains onions, such as pizza, sauces, soups, gravy, and other foods that are cooked because they are just as toxic to cats as raw onions. Consuming food that has been cooked with onion powder or dehydrated/freeze-dried onions increases the risk of food poisoning by at least double.

Red blood cell damage and severe stomach distress are caused by onion toxicity in cats. This harm increases the possibility that the red blood cells will burst, which could result in fatal anemia. Your cat’s body needs less oxygen to survive when red blood cells burst because they are the source of oxygen in the body. The liver, kidneys, and lungs of your cat may also be impacted by this red blood cell degeneration.

FAQ

What happens if a cat eats onion?

If a cat eats a large amount of onion at one time, or over a period of a few days, they can experience severe symptoms, including abdominal pain, blood in their urine and stools, and exercise intolerance. Eventually, there may be liver and kidney damage. A smaller amount may cause milder, more short-lived symptoms.

How much onion is safe for cats?

An onion can become toxic to a feline if more than 1 gram per 5 pounds of body weight is ingested. Onion powder has a high toxicity rate and is potentially more potent than a fresh onion. Onion toxicity in cats is caused by the oxidant present in onions, n-propyl disulfide.

Are cats affected by cutting onions?

Unfortunately, onions can do more than make your cat’s eyes water. Known as “onion poisoning,” if ingested onions can affect a feline’s red blood cells, breaking them down and causing anemia. Although the odd nibble shouldn’t cause any harm, it’s best to try and keep your cat away from the vengeful vegetable.

How toxic is garlic to cats?

Garlic is almost five times as toxic for cats as onions are, so it’s best to make sure your cat never gets near it. A single clove can be toxic to cats, and this also includes garlic spices because they are more concentrated and therefore, even more harmful in small quantities than fresh garlic is.