Doesn't chew cardboard? - Page 2

Emma · 06-09-2005, 11:21 AM

To be honest I'm not 100% sure why garlic & onions would be so dangerous to small animals - but I've posted the question on the veterinary information network, so hopefully an expert may give us an answer soon

I had a quick flick through my notes on anti-nutrional factors and couldn't find anything relavent there.....something sticks in my mind about something contained in onions that can lead to IMHA (Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia - stimulate the immune system to start destroying red blood cells) but that was in dogs that consumed vast amounts, I doubt similar information would be known about hamsters/rodents so it's probably not that.

I wouldn't have thought most hamsters would want to eat onion or garlic anyway due to the strong taste, maybe it's simply that it's unpalatable. The only decent information I came across on a quick search was studies using allium extracts as herbal remedies for various things, and the rats/mice in those studies weren't dying from the treatments!

I'll report what replies I get on the vet message board (if I get any!)

Coco1 · 06-09-2005, 11:41 AM

Thanks Emma. I too tried to look up something but didn't have much luck.

Emma · 06-09-2005, 04:58 PM

Well the verdict is what I discounted in my earlier post! That onions and garlic can be toxic to dogs/cats etc in very large quantities, causing injury to red blood cells and anaemia, and there's no reason to think they wouldn't have the same effect on rodents. However no cases of onion/garlic toxicosis in small mammals are reported.

Of course "a large amount" for a hamster is much less than for a big dog! Some haematological changes in dogs have been reported after ingesting 0.5% of bodyweight of onions, so for a hamster perhaps 0.5g may have an effect, depending on how big the hamster is.

As an aside I also found studies giving 1/20th of this dose of garlic to hamsters that was shown to have anti-cancer properties. It's all in the dose.

Coco1 · 06-09-2005, 05:34 PM

Interesting Emma. Thanks

I guess I find it surprising that its in many brands of dog and cat food / treats / biscuits / yeast supplements! But like you say, maybe a small dose is good for them ?

06-20-2005, 05:12 AM

From what I've read, garlic is a no-no because it's hard on their kidneys and such.

Coco1 · 06-20-2005, 07:15 AM

meriellyn, yes this is what we've heard. However its just finding the reason its bad for them is what I'm trying to find! (With some difficulty!) I've read in many places its bad for them, or for their digestion but I still wonder why? So another thing to ponder - do OTHER rodents (maybe those people who keep Rats, gerbils etc would know?) have the same intolerances and do they know why it is for those rodents?

It is probably just that the kidneys are unable to process garlic, or maybe as Emma says it effects the red blood cells in some way. I'd love to find an article with it written somewhere explaining why. Or, maybe just my next visit to the Vet I'll ask him! (Which reminds me, I must get some more heartguard for my dog! )

Matthias · 06-20-2005, 07:42 AM

This thread on a gerbil forum I belong to http://gerbilforum.proboards21.com/inde ... 681&page=1 says something about it being an "oxidizing agent" causing "hemolyitc anemia ", meaning that it destroys red blood cells.

Coco1 · 06-20-2005, 11:03 AM

... hemolyitc anemia Hmmm.... Never heard of it LOL!

Well there you have it! Thanks Matthias! Strange how it affects them like that?

Well, theres TONS of fresh treats out there that are perfectly safe for them, including Garlic free doggie biscuits so not to worry!