Dog Ate Stuffing With Onions or Garlic

Onions, garlic, leeks, chives, and shallots belong to the allium family. They contain compounds that can damage the red blood cells of dogs, making the cells more fragile so they break down faster than the body can replace them. This is called hemolytic anemia, and it can leave a dog weak and short of oxygen.

Cooking does not remove the risk. Raw, cooked, fried, dried, and powdered forms are all a concern, and powders such as garlic powder and onion powder are very concentrated, so a small amount of seasoning mix can matter more than it looks.

Garlic is often described as less potent than onion by weight, but it is still not safe, and a stuffing recipe may use plenty of both.

There is no single safe amount, because the effect depends on the dog's weight, the form of the allium, and the individual dog. Poison-control sources describe harm from roughly 5 grams of onion per kilogram of body weight (about 0.5 percent of body weight), garlic is considered more potent by weight, and some dogs may react to less. Some breeds, including some Japanese breeds such as the Akita and the Shiba Inu, are reported to be more sensitive.

A small lick of gravy is unlikely to cause trouble for a large dog, but a plateful of stuffing is a different matter, especially for a small dog. Because the exact content of a home-made recipe is hard to estimate, it is safest to ask a veterinarian, who can work from your dog's weight and what was eaten.

Note: This is general information. Dose and risk depend on the individual dog, so call your veterinarian or a poison helpline for advice on your own dog's situation.

Remove whatever is left and stop the dog from eating more. Then gather the details a veterinarian will want.

1. Note your dog's weight, age, and any health conditions or medication.
2. Work out what was eaten: the recipe or the packaging, and how much, as best you can.
3. Note when it happened.
4. Call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic. In the US, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) and the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) are open around the clock and may charge a fee.
5. Follow their advice. They may recommend monitoring at home, an examination, or treatment.

Stomach upset can appear within hours, but the effects on red blood cells usually take longer, commonly a few days. Watch your dog closely during that time and contact your veterinarian if you see any of these signs.

• Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, or loss of appetite.
• Weakness, tiredness, or reluctance to exercise.
• Pale or yellowish gums.
• Fast breathing or a fast heart rate.
• Red or brown urine.
• Collapse, which is an emergency.

Onions and garlic are not the only concern. Stuffing can also contain raisins or grapes, which can cause kidney failure in some dogs (no safe amount has been established), plus nutmeg and sage in larger amounts, butter and fat that can trigger pancreatitis, and sausage meat with salt and seasoning.

Bread-based stuffing can also upset the stomach on its own. If your dog ate a lot of any rich food, expect possible vomiting or diarrhea, and call your vet if it is severe or lasts more than a day.

Hot dishes cooling on the counter are a classic hazard. Keep food well back from the edge, on a high surface, or in a room the dog cannot enter. Scrape plates into a covered bin and take it out.

• Put the dog in another room, or behind a gate, while the meal is served and cleared.
• Give the dog its own chew or stuffed toy during the meal.
• Ask guests not to feed the dog, and explain why.
• Practice leave-it and a settle on a mat before the holiday.
• Keep a note of your vet's out-of-hours number on the fridge.