{"hq_id":"hq-p-pet-000073","name":"Allium-Family Foods and Dog/Cat Hemolytic Anemia (Onion, Garlic, Leek, Chive, N-propyl Disulfide, Heinz Body Formation)","category":{"primary":"pet_care","secondary":"pet_food_hazard","tags":["onion","garlic","allium","dog","cat","hemolytic anemia","Heinz body","N-propyl disulfide","red blood cell","oxidative damage"]},"product_tier":"PET","overall_risk_level":"high","description":"All Allium-family plants — onions, garlic, leeks, chives, shallots, and scallions — contain organosulfur compounds (primarily N-propyl disulfide and thiosulfinates) that cause oxidative damage to hemoglobin in dog and cat red blood cells, leading to Heinz body formation and hemolytic anemia. Dogs show clinical signs at 15-30 g/kg body weight of onion (roughly one medium onion for a 40-lb dog); cats are 2-3x more sensitive due to higher hemoglobin sulfhydryl group susceptibility. Garlic is approximately 5x more potent per weight than onion. Critically, the toxic effect is cumulative over days — repeated small exposures from table scraps, baby food containing onion powder, or garlic supplements can cause progressive anemia without a single dramatic ingestion event. Cooking does not destroy the toxic organosulfides.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate","synthesis_confidence":0.82,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_adult","context_source":"default","exposure_modifier":1,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-03-27","synthesis_version":"1.0.0"},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"cats (2-3x more sensitive than dogs), dogs on garlic supplements, Japanese breeds (Akita, Shiba Inu — higher RBC susceptibility to oxidative damage)","overall_risk":"high","primary_concerns":["Cumulative toxicity — repeated small exposures cause progressive hemolytic anemia over days","Cooking does NOT reduce toxicity — cooked onion/garlic equally dangerous","Garlic 5x more potent than onion — 'garlic flea supplements' are genuinely dangerous","Baby food containing onion powder is a common hidden source for cats"],"exposure_routes":"Ingestion (sole route — consumption of allium-containing foods, supplements, or scraps)."},"exposure":{"routes":["ingestion"],"contact_types":["ingestion_direct"],"users":["pet_dog","pet_cat"],"duration":"acute_or_cumulative","frequency":"accidental_or_repeated","scenarios":["Dog eats onion rings, onion-containing casserole, or soup with onion","Cat consumes baby food containing onion powder (common flavoring)","Repeated small garlic exposure from 'garlic for flea prevention' supplements","Dog scavenges kitchen scraps containing cooked onion/garlic (cooking does NOT reduce toxicity)"],"notes":"Allium toxicosis mechanism: N-propyl disulfide and thiosulfinates oxidize hemoglobin → methemoglobin and Heinz body formation → splenic removal of damaged RBCs → hemolytic anemia. Dogs: toxic dose 15-30 g/kg onion (onset 1-5 days post-ingestion). Cats: 2-3x more sensitive than dogs. Garlic: 5x more potent than onion per gram (higher thiosulfinate concentration). Cumulative effect: daily small doses over 3-5 days can trigger anemia without acute large exposure. All forms toxic: raw, cooked, dried, powdered — cooking does NOT destroy organosulfides. ASPCA APCC: allium toxicosis is a top-10 dog/cat toxin category."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Never feed onion, garlic, leek, chive, or shallot to dogs or cats in any form (raw, cooked, dried, powdered). Do NOT use garlic supplements for flea prevention — this is a dangerous myth. Check baby food and prepared food labels for onion/garlic powder before offering to pets. Signs of allium toxicosis (lethargy, pale gums, red/brown urine) may appear 1-5 days after ingestion. Seek veterinary care immediately.","safer_alternatives":["Commercial dog/cat treats specifically formulated without allium ingredients","Plain cooked meat (chicken, turkey) as treat alternative to table scraps","Verified flea prevention products instead of garlic supplements","Read all human food labels before sharing with pets"]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"AAFCO Prohibition on Allium in Pet Food Formulations","citation":"AAFCO Official Publication 2024; 21 CFR 582 (GRAS for human food only)","requirements":"AAFCO does not permit onion or garlic as intentional ingredients in dog or cat food. However, no federal labeling requirement exists for allium-containing human foods to warn about pet toxicity. Garlic supplements marketed for pets are not FDA-approved and lack AAFCO nutritional adequacy.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"AAFCO / FDA CVM","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Dispose of allium scraps in pet-proof compost or sealed trash.","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"N/A — food item"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000022","compound_name":null,"role":"toxic_compound","typical_concentration":"onion: toxic at 15-30 g/kg in dogs; garlic 5x more potent per weight; cumulative oxidative damage to RBCs"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["allium-family foods and dog/cat hemolytic anemia (onion, garlic, leek, chive, n-propyl disulfide, heinz body formation)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[],"sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-26"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-26","timestamp":"2026-05-02T18:29:04.724Z"}}