Onion

Yes, onions are toxic to cats. They contain compounds that cause oxidative damage to red blood cells, which can lead to hemolytic anemia. This applies to all parts of the plant, including the bulb, and all forms — raw, cooked, powdered, or dehydrated.

Early signs include vomiting, diarrhea, and reduced appetite. As red blood cells break down over the following days, watch for weakness, lethargy, pale or yellow gums, rapid breathing, elevated heart rate, and brown- or red-tinged urine. Heinz bodies can appear in bloodwork within 24 hours of ingestion, even before visible symptoms develop.

Remove any remaining onion or onion-containing food immediately, then call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or your veterinarian. Do not try to induce vomiting at home — unsupervised home emesis is one of the most common first-aid mistakes in pet poisoning cases.

Even a small amount warrants an immediate call to your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435). Concentrated forms — onion powder, dehydrated flakes, and dry soup mixes — are especially dangerous because the compounds are far more concentrated than in a fresh bulb. Don't wait for symptoms to appear before seeking help.

Yes, onions are potentially toxic to dogs. They contain N-propyl disulfide, a compound that damages red blood cells and can cause Heinz body anemia. This applies to all forms — raw, cooked, powdered, or onion-containing foods like taco seasoning, soup mixes, and baby food.

Early signs include decreased appetite, vomiting, and abdominal pain. As anemia develops over the following days, watch for weakness, lethargy, pale gums, rapid breathing or panting, an elevated heart rate, and reddish or brown discolored urine.

Remove any remaining onion or onion-containing food, then call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately. Do not induce vomiting at home unless directed by a professional — unsupervised home emesis is a common and dangerous first-aid mistake. Treat any known ingestion as time-sensitive even if your dog currently seems fine, since symptoms may take days to appear.

Bloodwork changes such as Heinz bodies and methemoglobin can appear within 24 hours of ingestion, but visible signs of anemia may take several days to develop. Because of this delayed onset, don't wait for symptoms before contacting your vet — immediate veterinary attention is required for any known onion ingestion.