Onion is a staple vegetable, and almost every household kitchen has. But if you are a cat parent, then you must be careful. Onions are toxic to cats and dogs.
If you are not feeding the vegetable directly to your feline, there are still chances that your pet can eat it from somewhere in the house. So How much onion is toxic to cats? And how to deal with onion poisoning in felines.
Onions and other alliums group vegetables such as garlic, spring, chives, shallots, etc., all are poisonous to cats and dogs and can lead your kitty to severe health complications.
This article is a comprehensive guide about onion poisoning and toxicity in felines. You can use the table of content for smooth navigation.
What is Onion Toxicity in Cats?
Onion Toxicity in cats is generally referred to as the breakdown and hypersensitive reaction of red blood cells known as Hemolysis. In onion poisoning, due to RBCs’ breakdown, the red blood cells decrease in the feline body and lead them to severe weakness and panting.
Are onions toxic to dogs?
Yes, all forms of onion include green, fresh, cooked, and powder, are toxic for felines, but powder form has a high toxicity rate and is potentially more potent than the other forms.
Onion poisoning can be fatal in cats and require immediate veterinary care and treatment.
How much onion is toxic to cats?
The severity of onion poisoning in pets depends on the consumed amount. The minimum toxic amount of onion in cats is 1g/5lb, which means 0.2g/lb. If a cat consumes onion, more than 0.5% of the total body weight will suffer from onion poisoning.
A tiny amount of the veggie may not harm your pet, and also Not all cats will develop the toxic effects from eating onion.
However, no one knows how much your kitty has ingested and what will be the possible uncertain outcome, So the best idea is to seek veterinary help as soon as possible.
Why onion is Poisonous to cats?
Onions contain n-propyl disulfide that causes onion toxicity. Cats are susceptible to RBSc oxidation and have a larger surface area for oxidizing agents to attach to the blood cells.
So when a feline eats the onion, and the n-propyl disulfide is digested and enters the bloodstream as a reaction, the body dependence system considers this a foreign invader and starts interpreting.
The red blood cells already have attached oxidants and cannot be readily removed. As a result, the pet body starts the break down of the RBCs to expel the invader substance, and as a result, onion poisoning occurs and leads your cute companion to severe health complications.
Symptoms of onion poisoning in cats
If your kitty eats the onion in front of you, then you will be able to take her to the vet timely but what if your cat eats the veggie and you have no idea if she ate or not. You can judge on sign and symptoms to find out.
Below are some of the signs and symptoms of onion Toxixty in cats:
- Weakness
- Panting
- Restlessness
- Onion Smell from the mouth
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal Pain
- Skin Irritation
- Pale Gum
- Collapse
- Blood in the urine
What to do if a cat eats onion?
Ingesting onion for feline can be fatal. So the very first step is as soon you realize your cat has eaten the onion, you should take your cute kitty to the vet as quickly as possible.
If you have trouble in access to a vet, immediately call at Pet Poison Helpline.
Don’t be panic; stay calm and try to calm your pet, and provide mental support. Make sure to gather information, Such as how much and which form of onion your pet has eaten? How long ago did they eat it? As well as the symptoms and your feline health history.
Treatment of onion poisoning in cats:
Please be aware. No remedy or medicine has proven effective in instantly treating onion poisoning in cats and dogs.
Supportive care under the supervision of a professional veterinarian is the only way to heal your feline in this potent situation.
A Veterinarian will keep the pet in the hospital for some days and supervise his condition by physical checkup and a series of tests.
The use of intravenous fluids therapy is a must in the treatment of onion, garlic, and other alliums group vegetables; The Fluid therapy helps clean the body from the harmful toxins and will help stop the destructive nature of toxin from the breakage of red blood cells.
Once the toxin level in the blood drops, the pet bone marrow starts producing new RBCs.
However, in case of severe weakness due to RBC loss, blood transfusion may also be needed. Nevertheless, as the result of proper and immediate treatment, you can observe good changes in your pet within an hour or a day.
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FAQ:
What should I feed to my onion poisoning recovered cat?
If your kitty is recently recovered from the onion toxicity, this is a must to focus on its diet. Onion poisoning makes your very pet weak, so you can offer them fresh chicken, fish, or meat without adding any additives.
How long does onion toxicity last in cats?
The Duration of onion toxicity in cats depends on the amount ingested. In some cases, your feline may recover from the poisoning within a day or two, while in some cases, the toxin can last for an extended period and will take 5 to 7 days.
Are cooked onions bad for cats?
Yes, onion in any form includes cooked, dry, green, and fresh, are bad and harmful for cats. Prevent your cat from eating all vegetables of alliums group vegetables. Contact your vet immediately if your pet ingests onion.
Can cats eat a little bit of onion?
No, giving onion in any amount is not a safe idea. Onion is toxic to the feline, and even a little amount will be enough to cause severe complications.
What happens if a cat eats an onion?
If your cat eats onion, she may face severe and fatal health issues. At the early stage, they can develop side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, panting, weakness, pale gums, restlessness, etc., and will worsen as time passes.
