vegetable · Danger

Can cats eat leeks?

No. Leeks are part of the onion and garlic family, and they are toxic to cats. Cooking does not make them safe, and they can damage a cat's red blood cells and lead to anemia. Keep leeks and dishes made with them away from your cat.

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Danger — a stronger Allium than it looksTreat it as a poisoning risk

Can cats eat leeks?

No. Leeks are part of the onion and garlic family, and they are toxic to cats. Cooking does not make them safe, and they can damage a cat's red blood cells and lead to anemia. Keep leeks and dishes made with them away from your cat.

Source-linked record · Last reviewed July 17, 2026 · Not veterinary advice

Why this answer

Leeks carry the same organosulfur oxidants as other Allium vegetables, and they are considered relatively potent within the group. Once eaten, these compounds attack a cat's red blood cells and cause Heinz-body anemia. Heat does not neutralize them, so cooked leeks in soups and stews remain hazardous.

Watch for

  • Pale or whitish gums
  • Tiredness and weakness
  • Faster breathing or pulse
  • Dark or blood-tinged urine
  • Loss of appetite and vomiting

How much is okay

None — do not feed leeks in any form, and keep leek-based soups and quiches out of reach.

Keep it away

  • Keep raw and cooked leeks off plates and cutting boards a cat can reach.
  • Do not share soups, stocks, or casseroles that contain leeks.
  • Compost leek trimmings in a bin the cat cannot open.
Sources and evidence notes (3)
  1. Allium spp Toxicosis in Animals Merck Veterinary Manual — Onion, garlic, leek, and chive toxicosis: organosulfur oxidants cause Heinz-body hemolytic anemia; cats are notably more sensitive than dogs; raw, cooked, and powdered forms are all hazardous.
  2. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — Multi-species veterinary toxicology list covering alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, citrus, coconut, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, milk and dairy, nuts, onions, garlic and chives, raw meat and eggs, salty snacks, xylitol, and yeast dough.
  3. Poisons Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine — Feline-specific poisoning overview covering common household toxin exposures in cats, clinical signs, and the need for prompt veterinary care.

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