Onions themselves aren't the only things that are potentially poisonous to felines. Robertson JE, Christopher MM, Rogers QR. If the poisoning is severe, immediate intravenous administration of calcium gluconate or oral administration of magnesium hydroxide or milk will be necessary; these substances will link themselves with the ions of fluorine. One-half of one percent (0.5%) of a pet’s body weight in ingested onions is sufficient to cause toxicity. According to the ASPCA, onions are of high toxicity to cats, along with dogs and horses. The symptoms of fluorine poisoning in cats are gastroenteritis, nervous signs, increase of heart rate and even death. The toxic factor of onions is caused by the presence of the chemical N-propyl disulfide, to which felines are especially affected, even more so than canines. Onion poisoning in cats. It’s best to bring it to the vet immediately to arrest the poisoning right away. Kobayashi K (1981) Onion poisoning in a cat. Clinical Signs: Vomiting, breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia, Heinz body … Cats can be poisoned from common household foods, including onions, tomatoes, macadamia nuts, chocolate, garlic, and chives. Feline Pract 11 (1), 22-27 VetMedResource. Modern Veterinary Practice 64 (6), 477-478 VetMedResource. That equates to just 2.5 ounces of onion in a 30-pound dog. Toxic Principles: N-propyl disulfide. Most of the symptoms of poisoning are ‘non-specific’. Onion poisoning of livestock. Smith C H & Ellison R S (1986) Concurrent onion poisoning and haematuria in a dog. Cheeke PR. While most cases aren’t life-threatening in healthy adult cats, kittens, senior cats and cats, who are immunocompromised are at higher risk. Symptoms of Poisoning in Cats. In: Natural toxicants in feeds, forages, and poisonous plants, 2nd ed. If your cat has ingested a substantial amount of onion, you shouldn’t wait for the symptoms to occur. Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses. N Z Vet J 34 (5), 77-78 PubMed. Cats are attracted to them, but they contain a very bitter tasting liquid called dibutyl phthalate. First, when a cat has had known contact with a specific poison of some kind. Heinz body formation in cats fed baby food containing onion powder. Kay J M (1983) Onion toxicity in a dog. Other sources of information Scientific Name: Allium cepa. Danville, Ill: Interstate Publishers, 1998;305-306. Cats and Japanese dog breeds (Shiba Inu, Akita) tend to have an even greater sensitivity to onion poisoning because of an inherited, non-fatal defect in red blood cell formation. Vet Med 2005;100:562-566. Eating garbage or feeding food which is out of date, improperly stored or improperly handled. Family: Liliaceae. Xylitol, a sugar substitute that is often used in many low-carb homes can be deadly, while garbage and expired food items can also be potentially harmful. In general, there are two occasions when cat carers should suspect poisoning. ... Keep the fruit bowl away from your cat to stay safe. Other common sources of poison to cats include: Gum and candy that contain xylitol. Signs of poisoning in cats that have ingested painkillers include difficulty breathing, pale blue gums and swelling of the paws and face. This means the signs are general ones such as vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, or seizures, and it’s not possible to reach a definitive diagnosis as to which poison has been taken (or even if poisoning is the cause of the symptoms.) 4. Animal Poison Control; Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants; Onion. The list of possible signs of poisoning in cats is very long, depending on the mode of action of the poison. 3. Second, when a cat develops sudden onset signs of illness, with no obvious cause. Allium species poisoning in dogs and cats. A sugar substitute that harms cats and dogs. Onions and garlic and other members of the allium family of vegetables. 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