For us humans, onion is a tasty ingredient used both cooked and raw in many dishes. Onions may be delicious to us humans, but what about onions and cats? Can cats eat onions?
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Wondering, “Can cats eat onions?” Let’s take a look. Photography © krblokhin | iStock / Getty Images Plus.[/caption]The answer to the question "Can cats eat onions?" is pretty clear. Onions are extremely dangerous for cats, even in small amounts. If the cat does not consult a veterinarian immediately after eating onions, the ingestion of onions can even be fatal.
Dr. Jeff Werber, Emmy Award-winning veterinarian, explains that cats are very sensitive to onions and that it only takes a few onions to make them very sick. Onions are especially dangerous for cats because they can cause anemia, liver damage and even death.
Can cats eat onions in any quantity?
As mentioned above, even a small amount of onions can be dangerous for cats. Dr. Amy Mathiak of the Firehouse Animal Health Center states that she considers a cat eating any amount of onions to be an emergency that requires immediate veterinary intervention.
Can cats eat raw onions? Can cats eat cooked onions?
The next question you might ask yourself after "Can cats eat onions?" could be about raw onions versus cooked onions. "The most dangerous onions are raw onions, then dehydrated, then cooked," explains Dr. Werber, "but, again, all onions, in all their forms - raw and prepared - are dangerous to cats.
According to Dr. Mathiak, cats are generally not tempted to eat raw onions. Cats are generally exposed to onions from cooked and processed human food. She also warns that onions are a surprisingly common additive in processed foods. It is not advisable to share human food with your kitten unless you consult a veterinarian first, but if you decide to give your cat human food, make sure it does not contain onions.
What should you do if your cat eats onions?
Now that we've given some answers to the question "Can cats eat onions?", let's see what to do in the unfortunate event that your cat eats onions.
Since even a small amount of onions can make a cat extremely sick, do not share "human food" that may contain onions. Cats can be sneaky, which is why it is advisable to be very careful when cooking with onions or preparing food containing onions.
If you suspect that your cat has eaten onions, or something containing onions, Dr. Mathiak advises cat janitors to go to the vet immediately. Do not attempt to care for your cat at home. Dr. Werber says it is not safe to try to make him vomit. Dr. Mathiak echoes this concern by warning that the usual methods people use to try to make cats vomit are generally ineffective. Take your cat to your veterinarian or to a veterinary hospital for treatment as soon as possible.
Treatment for a cat that has eaten onions
When a cat that has ingested onions goes to a veterinarian, there are a few treatments available. If the cat has ingested onions in the last few hours, the veterinarian will probably try to make the cat vomit (again, do not attempt to do this yourself at home). The veterinarian will also perform blood and urine tests to determine the severity of the onion exposure.
"Depending on the symptoms and diagnosis, we will either attempt life-saving blood transfusions and oxygen therapy or provide supportive care for less severe gastrointestinal problems," explains Dr. Mathiak.
It is important that your cat be treated as quickly as possible, but the side effects of onion ingestion may take some time to manifest themselves. "The onset of severe symptoms, depending on the amount ingested, can be delayed for five to seven days," warns Dr. Mathiak. "The most important thing you can do if your cat eats onions is to consult a veterinarian for your cat.
Vignette: Photograph © velkol | iStock / Getty Images Plus.
About the author
Sassafras Lowrey is an award-winning author and certified sled dog instructor. Upcoming books include "Tricks IN THE CITY: For Daring Dogs and the Humans That Love Them", "Healing/Heeling" and "Bedtime Stories for Rescue Dogs: William To The Rescue". Sassafras lives and writes in Portland, Oregon, with three cats and three dogs. For more information, visit SassafrasLowrey.com.
What can cats eat? Find out at Catster.com
