Are onion, garlic & chives poisonous to dogs and cats?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 2 sources

Based on: Pet Poison Helpline, NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Call a vet today

Onion, garlic & chives (Allium) are poisonous to dogs and cats – call your vet today for advice if your pet has eaten any of them. The flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, seeds and stems are poisonous.

  • Dogs Call a vet today
  • Cats Call a vet today
What to do now

What to do right now

  1. Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
  2. Note which plant, which part, how much and when.
  3. Remove what is left and move the plant out of reach.
  4. Take a photo or a piece of the plant with you.
  5. Keep your pet calm.

Don't

  • Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.
  • Do not give your pet any human medicine.

Why it can be dangerous

Onion, garlic, chives and leeks belong to the Allium family, and Allium plants are poisonous to dogs and cats.[1] Alliums can cause breakdown of red blood cells.[1][2]

Signs to watch for

  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • anemia
  • digestive problems
  • blood in urine
  • weakness
  • high heart rate
  • panting
Scientific name
Allium
Poisonous parts
flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, seeds, stems

What the experts say

“Problems: Poisonous to Humans, Problem for Cats, Problem for Dogs, Problem for Horses”

— NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox [2]
If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

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OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

Is Allium poisonous to cats too?

Yes. Allium plants are poisonous to cats.[1]

Is Allium poisonous to dogs?

Yes. Allium plants are poisonous to dogs.[1]

What signs may occur?

Signs listed include vomiting, digestive problems, blood in urine, weakness, a high heart rate and panting.[2]

Sources

  1. Pet Poison Helpline
  2. NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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