Can Dogs Eat Chives? What To Know About Chive Poisoning in Dogs
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Chives belong to the Allium genus of plants, which also includes onions, garlic, shallots, scallions (also known as green onions), and leeks.
Dogs should never be allowed to eat chives, as all plants in the Allium genus are poisonous to them. If your dog ate a chive, contact your veterinarian or a Pet Poison Helpline specialist at 1-855-764-7661 immediately.
What Is Chive Poisoning in Dogs?
If your dog eats chives, mild poisoning can result in gastrointestinal upset within several hours, while moderate to severe poisoning can cause damage to their red blood cells.
Damage to a dog’s red blood cells means it’s more likely for these cells to rupture, resulting in anemia (low red blood cell count). Signs of anemia in dogs can be delayed, because it can take up to five days to develop.
Keep in mind that normal cooking , processing, or freezing of chives does not decrease their toxic effects. Similarly, rotting chives are as toxic as fresh chives. If your pup ingests a chive—whether cooked or uncooked—they are at risk for chive poisoning.
The amount of chives needed to cause poisoning in dogs can vary based on the age, weight, and breed of the dog. Certain Japanese dog breeds may have an increased risk of sensitivity to chive poisoning due to a genetic trait that causes chemical differences to the red blood cells that make them more susceptible to damage.
These breeds include:
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Shikoku
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Kai Ken
Symptoms of Chive Poisoning in Dogs
Common symptoms associated with chive poisoning in dogs may include:
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Oral irritation (redness around mouth and/or pain—causing them to be reluctant to play with toys or eat)
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Elevated heart rate and respiratory rate
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Weakness
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Decreased activity or easily fatigued with exercise
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Collapse
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Brown or reddish urine
My Dog Ate a Chive. Now What?
As with all poisoning cases, early medical intervention is key to successful treatment of chive poisoning in dogs. Call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline as soon as you realize your dog has consumed chives.
If your pup ingests a chive—whether cooked or uncooked—they are at risk for chive poisoning.
Be ready to tell your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline specialist specific information about your pup, including their weight and breed, as well as an estimate of the amount of chives your dog ate. This information will help the vet determine the degree of risk to your dog.
Treatment of Chive Poisoning in Dogs
Depending on your dog’s health and when they ate the chives, your veterinarian might try to induce vomiting to help remove the toxin from your dog’s system before it is fully absorbed. You should never induce vomiting in your dog without direction from a veterinarian.
Your vet might also give your dog medical-grade activated charcoal to minimize absorption of any remaining toxin from the gastrointestinal tract.
Additionally, your vet will likely request regular vet visits for up to five days after exposure to monitor your dog’s blood work for signs of anemia. If anemia develops, additional care might include intravenous fluid support and medications to treat your dog’s clinical signs, or possibly a blood transfusion.
For adequate treatment and observation in severe cases, your dog might need to stay in the hospital for several days.
Prognosis for chive poisoning is generally good with early treatment and if signs of anemia can be controlled.
Prevention of Chive Poisoning in Dogs
Chives should be stored in the refrigerator until just prior to cooking. Even large dogs can be adept at jumping on top of kitchen counters or pawing food off the counter to snack on.
While working with chives, keep your dog out of the kitchen using a pet gate or closely supervise them so they don’t lick any scraps off the floor.
When disposing of chives in the trash, make sure your pup can’t access the bins if they like to nose through the garbage. If needed, a pet-safe strap lock secured over the top of the bin will help keep a curious dog out.
If you grow chives in your backyard, consider fencing off your garden or cover the chives with mesh netting to try to keep your dog away from them. You might also consider an outdoor playpen area to keep your pup separated from the garden.
