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Can Dogs Eat Leeks?

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TOXIC — leeks are toxic to dogs raw or cooked, and foods made with leek, such as soups and stocks, carry the same risk.

Leeks are an Allium vegetable, closely related to onion and garlic. Veterinary sources list leeks among the Allium species that can poison dogs by damaging red blood cells. Signs may appear only after several days.

If your dog has already eaten leeks, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service straight away — even if your dog seems fine.

See our guide to common toxic foods for dogs for the wider picture.

See our guide to vegetables dogs can and can't eat to compare this with the rest of the vegetable list.

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Two whole raw leeks lying on a wooden board

Quick answer

Category
Vegetables
Recommended preparation
Not suitable in any form
Main concern
Damage to red blood cells (haemolytic anaemia)
Suitable as everyday food
No

The full answer

Leeks are an Allium species. The Merck Veterinary Manual names leeks with onion, garlic and chives, and describes Allium toxicosis in dogs as oxidative damage to red blood cells that can lead to haemolytic anaemia.

VCA Animal Hospitals states that all forms are poisonous to dogs, including raw, cooked, dried, powdered and liquid preparations. Cooking a leek does not remove the risk.

Leeks are a common base for soups, stocks, gratins, pies and dried soup mixes. These foods need the same caution as the vegetable itself, and dried mixes are more concentrated.

Both the white stem and the green leaves are part of the same plant.

Risks and Things to Know

  • Allium compounds can damage red blood cells and cause haemolytic anaemia.
  • Cooking does not make leeks safe.
  • Leek soup, stock and dried soup mixes carry the same hazard.
  • Signs can be delayed by several days.

How Much Can Dogs Eat?

There is no amount of leek we would describe as suitable for a dog.

Keep leek trimmings, leftovers and leek-based dishes out of your dog's reach.

How Should I Prepare It?

  • Leeks have no safe preparation for dogs.
  • Do not pour leftover soup or cooking stock over your dog's food if it was made with leek, onion or garlic.

What If My Dog Ate Too Much?

Contact a veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic if your dog ate leek or a dish made with leek, even if it seems well.

Tell the vet the approximate amount and what else the dish contained.

Watch for weakness, pale gums, fast breathing, tiredness, vomiting or red or dark urine in the following days, and seek care straight away if any appear.

This guide is for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. If your dog has eaten something potentially toxic or is showing concerning symptoms, contact a veterinarian promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Leeks are an Allium vegetable, related to onion and garlic, and can poison dogs by damaging red blood cells.

No. Veterinary guidance says all forms of leek are poisonous to dogs, including cooked.

No. Soup and stock made with leek carry the same hazard as the vegetable. Contact a vet if your dog ate some.

No. Both are part of the same plant, and neither should be given to a dog.

They are in the same plant group, Allium, which also includes garlic and chives. See our onion and garlic pages for more.

Contact a vet for advice. Signs of Allium poisoning can take several days to appear.

How this guide was written

Last updated 30 September 2026. We write from widely published, mainstream pet-health sources and avoid presenting feeding amounts as veterinary prescriptions.

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