Vegetable
Can cats eat leeks?
Cats are even more sensitive than dogs to alliums, and leeks can cause anaemia.
Why Organosulfur compounds (thiosulfates and disulfides) that damage red blood cells
By Maya HartIf your cat ate some
- Call your vet or a pet poison helpline straight away, even if your pet seems fine.
- Tell them what was eaten, roughly how much, when, and your pet’s weight.
- Do not try to make your pet sick unless a vet tells you to.
- Signs of anaemia can take several days to appear.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Weakness and lethargy
- Pale gums
- Fast breathing
- Red or brown urine
Dogs and cats, side by side
Dogs Toxic
No. Leeks belong to the allium family with onions and garlic and can damage a dog’s red blood cells. Cooking doesn’t make them safe.
Can dogs eat leeks?Cats Toxic
No. Cats are even more sensitive than dogs to alliums, and leeks can cause anaemia.
The details
Allium poisoning is dose-dependent and cumulative: one bite of leek and potato soup is unlikely to cause trouble, but regular scraps, or a pan of leeks raided from the counter, can. The toxins damage red blood cells, which the body then removes, leading to anaemia that often develops two to five days after eating.
Japanese breeds such as the Akita and Shiba Inu may be more sensitive. Cats should never be given food cooked with any member of the onion family.
Safer treats your cat can have instead
Questions owners ask
Can cats eat leeks?
No. Cats are even more sensitive than dogs to alliums, and leeks can cause anaemia.
What makes leeks risky for cats?
Organosulfur compounds (thiosulfates and disulfides) that damage red blood cells.
What are the signs to watch for in cats?
vomiting and diarrhoea, weakness and lethargy, pale gums, fast breathing, red or brown urine.
What should I do if my cat ate leeks?
Call your vet or a pet poison helpline straight away, even if your pet seems fine. Tell them what was eaten, roughly how much, when, and your pet’s weight. Do not try to make your pet sick unless a vet tells you to. Signs of anaemia can take several days to appear.
Is leeks safe for dogs too?
No. Leeks belong to the allium family with onions and garlic and can damage a dog’s red blood cells. Cooking doesn’t make them safe.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
