Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My dog ate Leek - what should I do?
Allium ampeloprasum
Potentially toxic
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource now, especially if any amount was chewed or swallowed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Signs to watch for
Drooling, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness.
Escalation note
The toxic compounds in leeks can cause significant blood cell damage. Seek veterinary care promptly if your dog has consumed this plant.
First aid at home
Take the leek away and try to estimate how much was eaten and when. Bring the food packaging or a sample if possible. Do not induce vomiting at home — your vet or poison control will direct decontamination based on the dose and timing.
What to watch for
First-day signs are GI: drooling, oral irritation, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. The dangerous later signs are anemia-related: lethargy, pale gums, increased heart and respiratory rate, weakness, exercise intolerance, and dark or bloody urine.
Time window
GI signs can appear within 24 hours. Hemolytic anemia is delayed and may not show up for several days; for small ingestions, signs can appear up to about a week later. Bloodwork follow-up is common.
When to call the vet
Call a vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately for any known ingestion of leek (including cooked dishes and seasoned scraps). Toxic dose depends on body weight, and signs can be delayed — get advice the same day.
What this means for your dog
Dogs: leeks belong to the Allium family alongside onion and garlic and are toxic to dogs. The toxic principle is N-propyl disulfide, which can cause oxidative damage to red blood cells. Japanese breeds (Akita, Shiba Inu) are more sensitive than average and need extra caution.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.