Leek
Also known as Elephant Garlic, Garden Leek. One plant, one grade per pet — the verdicts below are transcribed from primary sources and human-reviewed.
Leek (Allium ampeloprasum) is toxic to cats (S3 Toxic): the ASPCA lists N-propyl disulfide, with vomiting, breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia), blood in urine, weakness, high heart rate, and panting. Pet Poison Helpline says leeks are poisonous to dogs and cats, and poisonous doses damage red blood cells and cause gastrointestinal distress.
FULL VERDICT →Leek (Allium ampeloprasum) is toxic to dogs (S3 Toxic): the ASPCA lists N-propyl disulfide, with vomiting, breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia), blood in urine, weakness, high heart rate, and panting. Pet Poison Helpline says leeks are poisonous to dogs and cats, and poisonous doses damage red blood cells and cause gastrointestinal distress.
FULL VERDICT →Care at a glance
What happens if it's eaten
Signs on record for each animal, transcribed from the cited sources.
- Vomiting
- Breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia)
- Blood in urine
- Weakness
- High heart rate
- Panting
- Anemia after a poisonous dose
- Gastrointestinal distress, with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, after a poisonous dose
- Vomiting
- Breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia)
- Blood in urine
- Weakness
- High heart rate
- Panting
- Anemia after a poisonous dose
- Gastrointestinal distress, with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, after a poisonous dose
When to call the vet
Contact your vet promptly after ingestion. The ASPCA lists hemolytic anemia, blood in urine, and a high heart rate. Pet Poison Helpline ties the red-blood-cell damage to poisonous doses and does not give a number.
FULL VERDICT →Contact your vet promptly after ingestion. The ASPCA lists hemolytic anemia, blood in urine, and a high heart rate. Pet Poison Helpline ties the red-blood-cell damage to poisonous doses and does not give a number.
FULL VERDICT →Safe swaps, graded S0
Non-toxic on record for cats — verified against the index at build time.
FAQ
Which plant does this leek verdict cover?
Allium ampeloprasum. The ASPCA Leek entry gives that scientific name and lists Elephant Garlic. Pet Poison Helpline lists Garden Leek and does not print a scientific name on the Leeks page. The same Pet Poison Helpline sentence also names onion, garlic, and chives. This page does not grade those plants. Check the scientific name on the tag.
Do the sources give a poisonous dose for leeks?
No number is stated, and this page does not add one. Pet Poison Helpline says poisonous doses of Alliums damage red blood cells and cause gastrointestinal distress with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The ASPCA lists hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia, blood in urine, weakness, high heart rate, and panting. Contact your vet promptly after ingestion.