Dogs or Canis Familiaris are most commonly referred to as “Man’s best friend,” a loyal companion and probably the first species to have been tamed by humans. Today more and more would be seen having at least one dog in their home.
They not only act as guards, today’s generation most commonly treat them as a part of the family and are therefore strict on what kind of foods their pet eats. However, what are foods that are safe for dogs and what are not?
Components Found in Onions
Today you will be looking into whether onions are safe or not for your pet dogs but before anything else, you must know first what the components of onion are.
Nutrients
89% water, 9% carbohydrates which includes roughly 4% sugar and 2% dietary fiber, and a percent of protein. Onions lack the essential nutrients like amino acids which are most commonly required for a normal physiological function.
Dogs however require at least Vitamins A, D, E, K, C, and B while the onions have Vitamin C and B1-B9 in it.
Minerals
Aside from the 166 kJ or 40 kcal of energy that the onion has, it also has calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc which would prove useful to your dog’s health.
Calcium is a necessary mineral for your dog especially when it is still in its growth and suckling stages. While Phosphorus and Potassium help with its bone structure and for the energy it needs while growing up.
There is however a component you need to worry about. Sure, the onion has a lot of minerals and does contain Vitamin C in it which is healthy for humans but maybe not for canines.
Onions also contain a principle known as N-propyl disulfide, an oxidant known to be harmful to your dogs and cats.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Onions
The answer is NO, the oxidative damage that onions bring to your dogs can lead to anemia. The N-propyl disulfide attaches itself to the oxygen molecules in your dog’s red blood cells and is destroyed during the process known as hemolysis, this phenomenon is most commonly referred to as hemolytic anemia.
What part of the onion is toxic for your dog? All parts including the processed powders produced by the onion’s leaves and also its juices.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Onions
Cooked onions do not change the fact that the oxidants present in the raw onion are still there and therefore will still be harmful to your dogs. Can dogs eat green or can dogs eat red onions?
The answer will still be the same, these toxins are present on all vegetables in the allium genus family. Scallions, Shallots, Garlic, Leeks, and even Chives. Each and one of these vegetables are harmful to your pet’s health.
Symptoms
If you think your dog might have eaten an onion in your absence or you have accidentally thrown in a few onion pieces in their meals, here are some of the few symptoms you might want to look out for to prevent worsening the anemia.
- Lethargy – a lack of energy and enthusiasm, your dogs may exhibit weakness and might also show a state where they are unresponsive or overly sleepy. They may also exhibit sluggishness which may be physical or mental.
- Decreased Appetite – your pet may also exhibit a decreased appetite, much less than their normal food intake.
- Pale Gums
- Fainting
- Reddish Urine
- Panting
- Vomiting
- Elevated Heart Rate
How To Treat Onion Toxicity in Dogs
They say prevention is indeed better than a cure, so as much as possible you should never allow your dogs to eat onions. However, if you think your dog accidentally ate an onion in your absence you should quickly bring them to your veterinarian.
The doctor will then offer supportive care and in the worst-case scenario may even require a blood transfusion depending on how much onion your dog has eaten.
Conclusion
Nowadays, we treat our dogs and cats as a part of our family and these fluffy friends like humans have a lot of needs that require your attention and care.
Just like how most owners ask “can dogs eat tomatoes?” or “can dog eat carrots?”, sometimes even inquiries like “can dogs eat cucumber?” are being asked, this is because as an owner you would always want what is best for your pets.
Onions however are one of the few vegetables that are a no-no to your fluffy friends as they contain a toxin which can lead to your pets having anemia. Remember to visit your veterinarian regularly so they could check up on your pets.