Can Cats Eat Onions?

Before you read anything else, the very important statement in this article is – NO, cats cannot and should not eat onions at all.

Yellow onions, sweet onions, red onions, white onions, shallots, scallions, etc. are all types of onions. There are hundreds of delicious recipes being made in every corner of the world using them. We humans clearly love onions. And with all the nutritional benefits they can provide us, we should. But for cats, it's different. Let's first understand if cats even like the taste and smell of onions.

Do Cats Like Onions?

While cats lack the taste buds that we have that make us like the taste of onions, it’s possible that your cat will be repelled by onions due to their smell alone. Some of the most common smells that cats are known to hate include citrus, vinegar, peppermint, pine, and onions. Given that cats have 40 times more olfactory receptors than us, it makes these smells more overwhelming to them.¹

Are Onions Good for Cats?

Let’s break down the nutritional content of onions.

A serving of 110 grams of onions consists of the following² –

Onions are great for immune health, collagen production, and iron absorption. It is also an antioxidant. But these are all the benefits that we humans can extract from onions.² For cats, the case is the exact opposite.

What Happens When Cats Eat Onions?

Onions contain compounds called disulfides and thiosulphates which can be toxic to cats. The ingestion of onions can cause conditions including anemia, which results from lack of oxygen to different parts of the body.³

How Much Onion is Toxic to Cats?

All parts of an onion are toxic to cats. Even the smallest quantity of any type of onion can cause harm to the digestive system of your cat. However, severe symptoms could start appearing if your cat ends up ingesting more than or equal to 5gms of onions per kilo of its body weight.⁴

To identify if your cat is suffering from onion toxicity, some of the potential symptoms can include⁴ –

Learn more about signs of poisoning in pets.

Similar Vegetables That Are Toxic to Cats

The list of toxic vegetables includes garlic, chives, and leeks. In fact, garlic is 5 times more poisonous to our cats than onions are.⁵ You need to make sure that all of these are kept away from your cat. That being said, here are a few vegetables cats can eat.

Is Cooked Onion Okay For Your Cat?

No. Onions in any form are not okay. While your cat may repel the onion in its raw form because of the pungent smell and strong taste, it is possible that it puts its paws on your pizza with onion in the sauce, or chicken tikka masala with onion and garlic powder in it, or the thousands of other dishes where onion is used in powder or paste form. Your cat should never eat any form of onion.

What To Do After Spotting Symptoms of Onion Poisoning?

While you may not see the symptoms right away, the symptoms could take a few days to appear. You need to keep checking every now and then if you have the slightest doubt that your cat has ingested onion in any form.

If you spot any symptoms or you see your cat eating onions in front of you, you should go to the vet immediately. Time is of the essence here. It is important that the treatment is started at the earliest to help avoid major complications. You can also call an Animal Poison Control Hotline for help.

Your vet may suggest tests such as a complete blood count, blood chemistry profile, and urinalysis which could show abnormally low levels of red blood cells in your cat’s body.⁵ The vet’s reaction may be based on your description of the symptoms, so make sure you are accurate and as clear as possible.

Will My Cat Survive Onion Poisoning?

Onion toxicity can be fatal, especially if the cat has ingested more than 0.5% of its weight of onion. A delay in veterinary care may also result in severe consequences.⁴

How Long Can It Take for Cats To Recover From Onion Poisoning?

The prognosis is relatively good for cats that suffer from onion toxicity when given prompt veterinary care and intervention.⁴ It is advised that home remedies to be avoided and a vet should be consulted before doing anything on your own.

Expert Insights From Spot

While sharing our favorite foods with our pets can be tempting, it's important to remember that not all human foods are safe for our cats. Spot's internal data shows that pet insurance claims for dietary indiscretions average $642*, highlighting the importance of caution and research before sharing snacks with your pet.

How Can Having Pet Insurance Help Here?

At Spot Pet Insurance, we want our pet parents to worry less about the potential costs attached to taking care of their pet. Our plans can help cover the above medical conditions with up to 90% cash back on eligible vet bills and access to a 24/7 Pet Telehealth and Poison Control hotlines so that you can have someone by your side to guide you through questions about your cat’s behavior and health.

Conclusion

There are several human foods that can be safe and even good for your cat to eat. Onions are not one of them. They belong to the allium family and are highly toxic to cats. Do not try to feed any amount, any form, any type of onion to your feline friend.