As loving cat owners, we’re always looking for ways to treat our feline friends. While you might be tempted to share a bite of your meal or offer a seemingly harmless vegetable, it’s crucial to know what’s safe and what’s not. This leads to a common question among cat lovers: Can Cats Have Onions?
The definitive answer is no. Under no circumstances should cats eat onions. Onions are toxic to cats and belong to the Allium family, which also includes other harmful ingredients like garlic, chives, and leeks. While onion poisoning is also a concern for dogs, cats are significantly more vulnerable to its harmful effects.
Why Are Onions Toxic to Cats?
While a curious cat might occasionally nibble on a raw onion, it’s more likely they will ingest onions through cooked foods. It’s vital to understand that cooked onions are just as toxic as raw onions to cats. This means keeping your feline away from dishes like sauces, soups, gravies, pizzas, and any other food prepared with onions. Furthermore, foods containing onion powder, dehydrated onions, or freeze-dried onions are equally, if not more, dangerous if consumed.
Onion toxicity in cats stems from its detrimental effects on their red blood cells. Onions contain toxic compounds that cause oxidative damage to these cells. This damage makes red blood cells fragile and prone to rupture, leading to a severe condition called hemolytic anemia, which can be life-threatening. Red blood cells are essential for carrying oxygen throughout the body. When they are destroyed, the cat’s body is deprived of oxygen, impacting vital organs such as the lungs, liver, and kidneys.
How Much Onion Is Too Much for Cats?
The culprit behind onion poisoning in cats is a toxic compound called N-propyl disulfide, found within the Allium plant family. While even a tiny amount of onion can upset a cat’s stomach, the most severe signs of toxicity typically appear when a cat ingests more than 5 grams of onions per kilogram of their body weight, or 0.5% of their body weight in kilograms. This amount is considered the toxic dose. However, it’s important to note that onion toxicity has been reported in cats after consuming as little as one teaspoon of cooked onions.
A critical point to remember is that onion powder is significantly more concentrated than fresh onions. Therefore, even a small quantity of onion powder can be toxic to cats. To put this into perspective, a medium-sized onion weighs approximately half a pound (226 grams), which is equivalent to just one tablespoon of onion powder. This highlights the potent nature of onion powder and the need for extra caution.
Recognizing Onion Poisoning: Symptoms to Watch For
Onion poisoning in cats might not show immediate symptoms. The signs can be delayed as it takes time for significant red blood cell damage to occur. Anemia can develop as quickly as 12 hours post-ingestion, but it usually manifests between two to five days after exposure.
The most commonly reported initial symptoms of onion poisoning in cats include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. However, other symptoms can also arise, categorized into initial non-specific signs and later signs related to anemia and organ damage:
Initial Non-Specific Signs:
- Nausea
- Drooling
- Oral irritation
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Signs of Anemia and Secondary Damage (Liver and/or Kidneys):
- Pale, yellow, blue, gray, or brown gums and mucous membranes
- Lethargy, depression
- Increased heart rate
- Increased respiratory rate (short, shallow breaths)
- Weakness
- Exercise intolerance
- Dark urine
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Collapse
- Seizures
- Death
If you observe any of these symptoms, especially if you suspect your cat has eaten onions, immediate veterinary attention is crucial.
A veterinarian carefully examines a cat, highlighting the importance of professional veterinary care in diagnosing and treating potential onion poisoning.
What to Do If Your Cat Eats Onion
If your cat has eaten onion, any food containing onions, or even if you suspect they might have, immediate veterinary attention is paramount. Contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic as quickly as possible. The faster medical intervention is initiated, the better the chances of a positive outcome for your cat.
It’s also advisable to contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. Speaking with a veterinary toxicologist can provide valuable guidance on the best course of action for your cat’s specific situation. Prompt medical care and intervention are key to effectively treating onion poisoning in cats before extensive red blood cell damage occurs.
Treatment for Onion Toxicity in Cats
Treating onion poisoning in cats often requires hospitalization. Your cat may need to stay at the veterinary clinic until the extent of red blood cell damage is determined and treated.
If the onion ingestion is recent (within the last two hours), your veterinarian might induce vomiting to remove any remaining onion from the stomach. They may also administer activated charcoal and other decontamination treatments to minimize toxin absorption into the bloodstream. Never attempt to induce vomiting at home unless explicitly instructed by a veterinarian, as it can potentially cause more harm than good.
Your veterinarian will perform frequent blood tests to monitor your cat’s red blood cell levels and determine if a blood transfusion is necessary. Additional lab work, including a complete blood panel and urine analysis, will be conducted to assess the function of other organs like the liver and kidneys for any toxic effects.
During hospitalization, your cat will likely receive intravenous (IV) fluids and medications to manage gastrointestinal symptoms and any liver issues that may have developed. In some cases, supplemental oxygen might be needed to support oxygen levels due to red blood cell destruction.
Cats that recover from onion toxicity will need ongoing monitoring of their red blood cell counts for several weeks. The prognosis for cats with onion toxicity is generally favorable if they receive prompt decontamination and medical care. However, the prognosis becomes more guarded for cats with severe anemia, liver failure, or those who do not receive aggressive treatment quickly.
Prevention is Key: Keeping Your Cat Safe from Onions
The best approach to onion toxicity is prevention. Here are some key steps to protect your cat:
- Be Mindful of Ingredients: Carefully check the ingredient lists of all cat foods, treats, and even human foods you might share. Avoid anything containing onions, garlic, chives, leeks, or onion powder.
- Secure Food Preparation Areas: When cooking with onions, ensure your cat cannot access the area. Dispose of onion scraps immediately and keep onions stored safely out of reach.
- Educate Your Household: Make sure everyone in your home is aware of the dangers of onions for cats and understands not to feed them to your feline.
- Beware of Hidden Onions: Remember that onions can be hidden in many prepared foods, such as soups, sauces, dips, and even baby food. Be extra vigilant with these items.
By taking these preventative measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of onion poisoning and keep your cat healthy and safe.
References
A pungent poisoning: Onion toxicosis in a cat. DVM 360. Accessed May 2, 2023. https://www.dvm360.com/view/pungent-poisoning-onion-toxicosis-cat
Featured Image: iStock/portostock
WRITTEN BY
Barri J. Morrison, DVM
Veterinarian
Barri Morrison was born and raised and currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She went to University of Florida for her…
