Can dogs and cats eat Leek and chives?
Leeks and chives are Allium plants like onion and garlic and can damage red blood cells. Cats are most at risk.
Why
Organosulfur compounds (oxidative damage to red blood cells)
Signs to watch for
- vomiting
- lethargy
- pale gums
- fast breathing
- dark urine
Good to know
Small garnish amounts once are less likely to cause harm than repeated feeding, but avoid entirely, especially for cats.
If you think your pet has been poisoned
If you suspect your dog or cat has eaten or touched something poisonous, contact your vet or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic immediately, even if your pet seems fine – some poisons take hours or days to show signs, and early treatment works best. Do not try to make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to, as this can cause more harm. Take the packaging, label or a piece of the plant with you, and note what was eaten, roughly how much, and when.
Sources
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual – Garlic and Onion (Allium spp) Toxicosis in Animals
- PDSA – Onion and garlic poisoning in dogs
- ASPCA – People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
Checked against these sources in October 2026.