Urgent — same day vet contact
Same day for vet decontamination; effects develop over 1–5 days
Dog has eaten onion, garlic, leeks, or chives
Onion, garlic, leek, and chive (Allium family) cause delayed red blood cell damage in dogs — phone the vet for any meaningful ingestion.
Recognise the signs
- Often delayed 1–5 days
- Vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain (early)
- Lethargy, weakness, pale or yellow gums (red blood cell breakdown)
- Dark or red-brown urine
- Increased breathing rate
First aid steps
- Phone the vet or Animal PoisonLine.
- Note product, amount, and time.
- Bring packaging.
Do NOT
- Do not give garlic supplements as flea remedies — there is no safe dose.
- Do not assume small amounts in cooked food are safe — concentrated forms (powder, dehydrated) are most toxic.
When to phone the vet immediately
- Pale or yellow gums, weakness, dark urine — red blood cell breakdown
- Persistent vomiting
- Collapse
Common causes
- Cooked dishes with onion or garlic (curries, stews, gravies, takeaways)
- Garlic supplements (sometimes given as 'natural flea repellent' — don't)
- Garlic bread, onion rings, fried onions
- Raw bulbs and chive plants
- Concentrated garlic powder (most potent form)
What the vet will need to know
- Specific food/product
- Amount
- Time of ingestion
- Dog's weight
Aftercare
- Decontamination if early.
- Bloods to monitor red blood cells over several days.
- Supportive care; severe cases need transfusion.
- Avoid all Allium foods permanently.
Prevention
- No garlic, onion, or related ingredients in dog food.
- No supplements containing garlic.
- Brief guests.
Breed-specific notes
- Japanese breeds (Akita, Shiba Inu) appear more sensitive.
Frequently asked questions
How much onion is dangerous?
Roughly 5g per kg of dog can cause toxicity, but concentrated forms (garlic powder) are far more potent. Avoid all Allium ingredients.
Is garlic really good for fleas?
No — and there's no safe dose. Use vet-recommended flea products.
What about onion-flavoured crisps?
Phone the vet — small amounts in single-treat quantities may be acceptable in large dogs but better to check.