Are you looking to add flavor to your cat’s food? You might have considered onions as an option. But can cats eat onions or garlic or chives? Are they good for them? What are the dangers of giving any of these to your cat? This article answers your questions. Read first before you think about giving onions to your cat!
Can Cats Eat Onions, Garlic, or Chives?
No! Cats cannot eat onions or other vegetables that belong to the allium family, such as garlic or chives. Onions are extremely toxic for your cat no matter what form they come in: raw, cooked, powdered, dehydrated. In fact, no matter the quantity, onions, chives and garlic are neither healthy nor safe for your cat.
Dangers of Onions, Garlic or Chives in Cats
Onions, garlic, or chives can each cause potentially life-threatening problems to your cat’s health. Particularly, serving onions to your cat can lead to onion poisoning. Symptoms of onion toxicity in cats include:
- Vomiting & Diarrhea
- Breakdown of red blood cells
- Blood in urine
- Skin exposure
- Panting
- Elevated heart rate
- Weakness
- Difficulty in breathing
- Liver damage
- Lethargy
Hemolytic anemia which is the breakdown of red blood cells is one of the major causes that make your cat become weak or worse.
| Cat insurance from From | Dog insurance from | Coverage | Contribution | Own risk | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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€8.46 | €12.11 | €3.250 — €6.000 | 10% — 50% | €0 — €150 per year |
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€14.05 | €17.77 | €3.000 — €6.000 | 20% | €30 — €50 per year |
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€12.16 | €17.42 | €3.000 — €5.000 | 20% — 50% | €0 — €250 per year |
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€13.27 | €20,14 | €3.000 — €6.000 | 20% | none | View |
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€13.86 | €14.67 | €2.500 — €5.000 | 20% | none | View |
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€10.56 | €13.14 | €3.500 | 25% | €25 per claim |
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What to Do if your Cat Ate Onions
The possibility of your cat snatching a piece of onion or garlic is very small, due to the fact that the smell and taste are not appealing to them. However, they might have accidentally eaten some of your leftover food that is seasoned with these harmful foods. In this case, do not panic. Call your vet right away or talk to an online vet. It is important that you act fast by informing them right away.
Final Words
Cats cannot eat onions, garlic, or chives. These foods are extremely dangerous, and they can jeopardize your cat’s health. For this reason, avoid giving them any foods that are seasoned with these ingredients. If your cat accidentally ingests any of these, call your vet right away!
Still looking for answers about your cat eating onions? Schedule an instant video consultation with our qualified veterinarians and get tailored advice from the comfort of your home – today.