I. A closer look at onions

Onion is a genus of onion in the lily family, a perennial herb. For humans, onions have many beneficial functions.
The diallyl disulfide and small amounts of sulfur amino acids in onions have blood pressure and lipid-lowering effects. Onions also have anti-cancer properties and can be used as natural antioxidants for high-fat diets. Humans often eat onions for preventive health effects on hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases, and the unique taste of onions is also very popular.
We all know that dogs and cats should not eat raw onions! So cooked onions still cause poisoning in dogs and cats?
But for animals, onions are not only not beneficial, but they can also lead to poisoning. Cats and dogs, in particular, are particularly sensitive to the toxins in onions. The main ingredient that causes poisoning in dogs and cats is n-propyl disulfide, a very stable substance that is not destroyed by heat or drying.
Studies have shown that either raw, cooked, dehydrated, or crushed onions can cause toxic reactions in dogs and cats.

II. Why onions are poison for dogs

The deadly factor in onions is n-propyl disulfide
Onion poisoning is caused by the n-propyl disulfide contained in the onion reacting with the blood-red blood cells in the dog, a condition that causes acute hemolytic anemia. In addition to onions, this substance is also found in leeks, garlic, and other similar plants.

Why does it cause poisoning?
The n-propyl disulfide causes the oxidation of hemoglobin in the dog's body to form Heinz's vesicles, which the dog's reticuloendothelial system, in turn, eats up as an invasive substance. As a result, dogs can show signs of poisoning, and according to research, Shiba Inus and Akita are less resistant to this convenience, so owners need to be aware.

Symptoms of onion poisoning in dogs
Vomiting and diarrhea
Since it takes time for dogs to digest onions, vomiting and diarrhea in dogs do not occur immediately after eating onions, but within a few hours after eating them.

Symptoms of anemia
Because onion poisoning can cause hemolytic anemia, dogs may show signs of anemia, such as feeling tired, having loose skin, and having white gums.

Hematuria
Hematuria occurs when broken red blood cells are mixed into the urine and eliminated together. This is near-sauce-colored hemoglobinuria. When a dog has problems due to onion poisoning, hematuria will follow.

Three, what is the maximum amount of onions a dog can eat?

Based on the results of the trial, the conclusion of 15g per kg body weight is usually the most acceptable to everyone. Of course, this result was tested in an ideal laboratory environment. In real life, there is a good chance that the results will vary depending on the dog's body type. The best-case scenario is to not allow your dog to eat onions. Never confidently assume that you can control the dose and let your dog take the risk.
Of course, there are anecdotal reports that dogs can get poisoned just from eating raw onions. As long as they are cooked, there is no problem. However, this idea is wrong. The substance that gives dogs symptoms of poisoning, n-propyl disulfide, is not destroyed by heating. So, raw or cooked, onions are dangerous for dogs.
Onions are poison for dogs. If a dog swallows an onion at home, what should the owner do for first aid?

What should be done at home?
First of all, we need to check the dog's mouth to see if there is any onion that has not been swallowed and clean it out. At the same time, the owner can try to have soapy water and diluted hydrogen peroxide on the dog to induce vomiting, these actions are to avoid the dog to digest more onions, and to reduce the symptoms of dog poisoning. After this, what the owner should do is contact the vet and recall the approximate time the dog swallowed the onion and whether there was any chance of accidentally ingesting it. This information may be able to help the doctor save the dog. Also, we may need to take pictures of the dog's blood and urine as well as the vomit for reference and for the doctor to view.

IV. Diagnosis and treatment of onion poisoning in dogs and cats

[Diagnosis] Because the symptoms of onion poisoning may not appear until the next day or the third day, many owners do not find out that their dogs and cats are poisoned because they have eaten onions, but if they have eaten them themselves, they can tell the doctor as a suspected factor to facilitate diagnosis. The diagnosis is usually made through blood and urine tests, and indicators from biochemical tests.

We all know that dogs and cats should not eat raw onions! So cooked onions still cause poisoning in dogs and cats?
Treatment For onion poisoning in dogs and cats, there is no special treatment drug. The principle of treatment will be to strengthen the heart, rehydrate, antioxidant, and promote the discharge of free blood red blood cells in the blood.
Avoid re-exposure of dogs and cats to onions or food containing onions.
Cardiac strengthening, rehydration, intravenous glucose, etc.
Antioxidant, use vitamin E, vitamin C, sodium selenite, etc.
Diuretics, promote the excretion of hemoglobin from the blood.
Pay attention to controlling the secondary infection.
Enhance nutrition and feed easy-to-digest, nutrient-rich food.
Dogs and cats with severe anemia may need blood transfusion treatment.
We all know that dogs and cats cannot eat raw onions! So do cooked onions still cause poisoning in dogs and cats?
Prevention of onion poisoning in dogs and cats
Owners must pay attention to this, especially the owners of dogs. Sometimes dogs may be actively fed with buns, dumplings, and fried beef with onions or lamb, and this type of food must be eliminated.
The dose of onion poisoning in dogs and cats is 15 grams to 20 grams per kilogram of body weight, like my friend's dog ate half a plate of dumplings, which is more than this dose. So be sure to eliminate dogs and cats from being exposed to onions at the source.
Onion is a common beneficial vegetable in human life, and the chance of appearing in the family is relatively high, not to say that pet owners should not eat onions, just to understand the relevant knowledge and pay more attention in daily life.

Perhaps cats are not that interested in such foods as buns and dumplings, because I cooked pork and onion-filled wontons at noon, and both Meow Sauce and Lukfook said they were not interested at all. But dogs can steal food!

V. What should I do at the vet?

Onion poisoning is irreversible, so if the ingestion is short, use vomiting and gastric lavage for first aid. If it has been ingested for several hours, blood tests should be done to see how the dog is doing and then medication should be used to treat the anemia and jaundice. In severe cases of anemia, consider blood transfusions, vitamin E, vitamin C or steroid administration can all be used to relieve the anemia.

Dogs, generally do not like raw onions. Most onion poisoning is caused by mixing onions with fresh food or by accidental ingestion. As owners, we should not wait until our dogs have eaten onions before considering what to do. Usually, you must put these harmful foods in a place where they are not freely accessible to your dog to avoid accidents due to accidental ingestion. If necessary, consult your vet and follow the doctor's instructions.