Last reviewed: August 2026

Can Dogs Eat Chives?

ToxicSame Family as Onions

No. Chives are part of the Allium family, along with onions and garlic, and carry the same toxicity risk even though they're often used sparingly as a garnish.

Why

Chives contain the same organosulfur compounds responsible for onion and garlic toxicity. Because chives are typically used in small garnish amounts, exposure is often lower than with a full onion — but the mechanism and cumulative risk are identical, so there's no meaningfully 'safe' amount to intentionally offer.

What to do if your dog ate this

Avoid chives as a garnish on any food shared with your dog
A dog nibbling chives growing in a garden isn't usually an emergency in tiny amounts, but should still be discouraged
Watch for delayed anaemia signs if a meaningful amount was eaten

Sources

General veterinary toxicology consensus, cross-referenced against the Merck Veterinary Manual and ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center food hazard references. See How We Source This for our methodology.

This page is general educational information, not a substitute for veterinary advice.