What should I do if my cat ate Leek?

Remove access to any remaining leek and note approximately how much was eaten and when. Do not induce vomiting at home — your vet or poison control will decide whether decontamination is appropriate. Call a vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately for any known ingestion of leek (raw, cooked, or in seasoned food). Do not wait for symptoms — anemia can develop after the GI signs have already passed.

What should I do if my dog ate Leek?

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. 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.

Leek — (c) Emanuele Santarelli, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Emanuele Santarelli — Photo by (c) Emanuele Santarelli, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Emanuele SantarelliiNaturalistCC BY-SA

Photo by (c) Emanuele Santarelli, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Emanuele SantarelliiNaturalistCC BY-SA

Pet safety reference

Leek

Q: Is Leek safe for cats?

Leek is potentially toxic to cats. Ingestion can cause oxidative damage to red blood cells, leading to hemolytic anemia. Please contact your veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected.

Q: Is Leek safe for dogs?

Leek is potentially toxic to dogs. The toxic compounds in leeks can cause significant blood cell damage. Seek veterinary care promptly if your dog has consumed this plant.

Allium ampeloprasum

Leeks are members of the onion family that contain compounds capable of damaging red blood cells in pets. Ingestion of any part of the plant can lead to gastrointestinal upset and potential anemia.

Check a list

Allium ampeloprasumElephant GarlicLeek

Light: Full sun
Habit: Upright herbaceous
Care: Moderate

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Sources

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.

Cats — concern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, pale gums, and elevated heart rate.

Escalation note

Ingestion can cause oxidative damage to red blood cells, leading to hemolytic anemia. Please contact your veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

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.

Safer alternatives

No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Leek is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs due to the presence of N-propyl disulfide.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Allium ampeloprasum is a biennial plant in the Amaryllidaceae family, commonly cultivated for culinary use.

cats safety page My cat ate Leek dogs safety page My dog ate Leek

Often compared with

Commonly confused with

Same Allium genus.

Onion

Allium cepa

The onion is a bulbous vegetable widely used in cooking that contains compounds capable of damaging red blood cells in pets. Ingestion of any part of the plant, including the bulb, can lead to serious health complications.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Same safety verdict

Other plants with the same verdict

Monstera

Monstera deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa is a popular tropical houseplant known for its large, fenestrated leaves and vining growth habit. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation if ingested by pets.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Snake Plant

Dracaena trifasciata

Dracaena trifasciata is a popular, hardy houseplant known for its stiff, sword-like leaves with striking yellow margins. It is widely appreciated for its air-purifying qualities and ability to thrive in various indoor conditions.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Philodendron

Philodendron spp.

Philodendrons are popular tropical foliage plants known for their lush, heart-shaped or split leaves. They contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation if ingested.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum

The Mauna Loa Peace Lily is a popular indoor plant known for its elegant white spathes and lush foliage. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation upon contact or ingestion.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Same growing conditions

Plants for the same room

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Lavender is a popular aromatic herb known for its fragrant purple flowers and silvery-green foliage. While widely used in essential oils and culinary applications, it contains compounds that can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested by pets.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Stevia

Stevia rebaudiana

Stevia is a perennial herb widely cultivated for its intensely sweet leaves, which are used as a natural sugar substitute. It is generally considered safe for pets, though large ingestions of fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Borage

Borago officinalis

Borage is a flowering herb known for its star-shaped blue flowers and hairy foliage. While often used in culinary applications for humans, it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can be harmful to pets if ingested.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Coreopsis

Coreopsis spp.

Coreopsis is a popular genus of flowering plants in the aster family, widely grown for their cheerful, daisy-like blooms. They are generally considered safe for household pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.