Can Cats Eat Onions
NO, as it is said to be poisonous to cats, leading to a host of health hazards. Avoid giving onions in any form be it freshly chopped ones, large, diced rings, cooked or fried variety used in curries and pizzas or powdered ones seasoned to make sauces, pickles, baby food as well as other food items.
Why are onions bad for cats
ASPCA renders onions to be toxic to cats, which may mainly be attributed to the presence of N-propyl disulfide that leads to hemolysis, which is the breaking down or destruction of red blood cells. Cats have a larger area on their RBC where the N-propyl disulfide can attach itself to. Once this happens, the body perceives it as an outside intruder, working towards driving it out, and in this process goes on to damage the red blood cells.
How much onion is toxic to cats
The toxicity level of onions to cats is 1 gram for every 5 pounds of body weight. Hence, even a small amount of onion may be dangerous for your kitty.
Onion toxicity symptoms in cats
If your cat has ingested onions mistakenly and shows the following signs, then he is poisoned by it.
- Weakness
- Pale gums
- Lethargy
- Reduced appetite
- Breathing difficulty
- Vomiting
- Bouts of fainting
In such cases do not delay in taking your cat to a veterinarian or you may even call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Helpline at (1-888-426-4435).
How is onion poisoning in cats diagnosed
The vet will conduct a host of examinations, and its red blood cells would be tested to indicate the amount of injury occurred on it. After this, the treatment would begin based on the severity.