Pastry Ingredient Safety

Can dogs eat onions and garlic?

Toxic: call for help

Short answer: No. Onions and garlic damage dogs' red blood cells, and powders are the most concentrated.

Also called or found in: garlic powder, onion powder, chives, garlic bread

Why it matters

The Merck Veterinary Manual says onion and garlic compounds damage red blood cells and can cause anemia. Dogs have been affected by raw, cooked, dried and powdered forms.

Merck reports signs after about 15 to 30 g of raw onion per kg of body weight. Concentrated forms like onion powder and soup mix are the most common culprits. Signs may not show for a few days.

What owners may notice

Tiredness, weakness, fast breathing, pale or yellow gums and red-brown urine, often a few days after eating (Merck).

This list can't tell you if your dog is OK. Only a veterinarian can.

If your dog ate some

Call your veterinarian or an animal poison line now: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661. Have the package, the amount and your dog's weight ready. Don't try home remedies unless your veterinarian or the poison line tells you to.

In the kitchen

Garlic bread, onion rolls, focaccia, savory scones and cheese biscuits with garlic or onion powder count.

Sources

  1. Garlic and Onion Toxicosis in Animals, Merck Veterinary Manual. Checked October 22, 2026.
  2. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Checked October 22, 2026.
  3. Household hazards, American Veterinary Medical Association. Checked October 22, 2026.

Last checked against these sources: October 22, 2026.

Related guides

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Written by VanillaGoods from the cited sources. Not reviewed by a veterinarian. Not a substitute for veterinary advice.