How To Treat Dogs For Onion Poisoning

As much as it would be fun to be able to share some onion rings with your dog, it would become your greatest regret as a pet owner. Onions, along with all other members of the allium family – garlic, chives and leeks — are one of many foods dogs cannot eat. The primary reason for this is the oxidant n-propyl disulfide. When dogs eat this, it causes an immune response that triggers the body to attacks its own red blood cells. This can lead to them developing anemia, among other uncomfortable health issues.

Your dog only needs to eat 100 grams of onions to experience toxicity symptoms. The form of onion doesn't matter, as fresh or dried members of this vegetable are equally poisonous to canines. If you suspect your dog has eaten any quantity of onion, it's important to seek prompt treatment. 

Depending on how much onion your dog ate, you could see signs of toxicity in as soon as a few hours. However, it may take several weeks to show up if your dog has been gradually sneaking bits of onion, rather than eating mass quantities at once. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, rapid breathing and heart rate, abdominal pain, appetite loss, mouth irritation, dark urine, lethargy and pale gums. In the worst case scenario, your dog might collapse from lack of oxygen because of insufficient red blood cells. The dog develops hemolytic anemia, or red blood cell destruction. 

While any dog might show symptoms of onion poisoning, breeds of Japanese descent appear especially sensitive and prone to more serious side effects. These include the Shiba Inu, Japanese chin and Akita.

Keep in mind that numerous foods contain trace amounts of onion, including baby food. Because of this, you might not realize that your dog is eating onion or garlic if they've been munching on certain table scraps. If you notice your dog eating an onion or believe they have consumed some, call your vet immediately — regardless of whether they're showing symptoms yet. 

In some cases, dealing with onion toxicity is a matter of getting it out of your dog's system. Because of this, your vet may try and induce vomiting. They may also give your dog activated charcoal to eat so that it keeps their intestines from absorbing the poison. If blood tests show that hemolytic anemia is occurring, your dog might need a blood transfusion, along with additional support care like oxygen treatments.

Eventually, once the onion is out of your dog's system, their bone marrow starts to release new red blood cells. Most dogs will recover completely from a bout of onion poisoning, as long as they no longer eat products containing onion. Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet's diet, medication, or physical activity routines.