National Onion Day!

Today is National Onion Day!

All members of the onion family are toxic to dogs—onions, garlic, shallots, scallions and chives.

All parts of the plant are toxic to dogs and cats, the leaves, juice and bulbs. All forms are toxic—raw cooked, dried or powdered. Dried and powdered onion and garlic appear in many prepared human foods. Read labels carefully before offering prepared human foods to dogs and cats as powdered onions are even more toxic than fresh.

Even if a food only contains a very small amount, toxicity can occur if eaten over a long period of time. Onions and their relatives are more toxic to cats than to dogs, so use these ingredients with care around cats and be especially careful when offering table foods to cats.

Plants in the onion family contain a toxin called N-propyl disulfide, which causes a breakdown of red blood cells, which leads to anemia. The toxin can damage red blood cells to the point where the body believes that they are invaders, causing the body to destroy its own red blood cells, which is a serious condition known as hemolytic anemia.

Signs of onion toxicity include weakness, decreased appetite, pale gums, fainting, reddish urine, vomiting, panting and an elevated heart rate.

Foods containing onion and garlic are often very attractive to pets. If you know your pet has consumed onions, they should be seen immediately.

Enjoy your onion rings on National Onion Day—just don’t share them with your pets!