Onion & Garlic Poisoning
in Dogs
Substance: Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives (Allium family). Symptoms appear within 1-5 days (damage is cumulative). Treatment costs £300–£1,500.
Do not wait for symptoms. Call your vet now.
If you suspect your pet has been exposed to onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives (allium family), contact your vet or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 immediately. The PoisonLine is available 24/7 and run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS).
What to Look For
Symptoms of onion & garlic poisoning typically appear within 1-5 days (damage is cumulative) of exposure. You may not see all of these — even one or two should prompt an immediate call to your vet.
What to Do Right Now
If you suspect your pet has been exposed to onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives (allium family), follow these steps.
Call your vet — even if only a small amount was eaten, repeated exposure is cumulative
Note the type (raw, cooked, powdered) and approximate amount
Garlic is roughly 5x more toxic than onion by weight
Cooked and powdered forms are just as dangerous as raw
Check whether the food your dog ate contains onion or garlic powder (many sauces and ready meals do)
What the Vet Will Do
Treatment depends on how much was ingested and how quickly you seek help. Here is what to expect.
How Much It Costs
Estimated UK vet costs for treating onion & garlic poisoning in dogs. Total treatment typically costs £300–£1,500.
| Treatment Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Emergency consultation | £80-£250 |
| Decontamination | £80-£200 |
| Blood tests (serial) | £100-£300 |
| IV fluids | £100-£300 |
| Blood transfusion (if needed) | £300-£800 |
| Hospitalisation | £200-£800 |
| Total treatment range | £300–£1,500 |
Prices are estimates based on UK veterinary averages. Out-of-hours emergencies typically cost 1.5–3x more than standard hours. Individual cases vary.
Recovery Outlook
Most cases of onion/garlic poisoning resolve within 1-2 weeks with supportive care. The body takes time to replace damaged red blood cells. Severe anaemia requiring transfusion carries a higher risk but is still often treatable. Garlic supplements marketed for pets should be avoided — there is no safe dose established for dogs.
How to Prevent This
The best treatment is prevention. Keep your pet safe with these steps.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Poisoning?
Yes — most pet insurance policies cover accidental poisoning as an emergency, including out-of-hours care, hospitalisation, and specialist referral.
With onion & garlic poisoning treatment costing £300–£1,500, insurance can prevent a medical emergency becoming a financial one too. Check your policy covers emergency treatment with no sub-limit on poisoning.
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