Onion Toxicity
The following article is used with the written permission of the author, Gillian Willis, pharmacist and toxicologist.
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Onion Toxicity |
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Onions contain the chemical, n-propyl disulfide. Ingestion of LARGE amounts of raw or cooked onions in some animal species can cause toxicity from this chemical which denatures hemoglobin leading to destruction of red blood cells. This causes anemia, weakness, jaundice, bloody urine and eventually death 1- 6 days after the ingestion. Cattle appear to be more susceptible than other species, but dogs, horses and rabbits are also susceptible. I am not aware of reports of toxicity in the avian species.
Feeding a bird SMALL amounts of onion either raw or cooked is unlikely to cause toxicity. Best to avoid feeding to dogs or to rabbits either raw or cooked.
Gillian Willis
Vancouver, BC
Copyright © Gillian A.Willis.
Permission to re-use any part of this text (whole or in part)
must be obtained from the author.