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No. Never feed this to a dog. Chives are toxic to dogs. They are small but they are true Alliums, and a bunch of chives snipped into food can damage red blood cells and cause anemia.
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The ASPCA names chives directly in its Allium warning: onion, garlic and chives can cause gastrointestinal irritation and red blood cell damage, which can lead to anemia, a low red blood cell count. The Merck Veterinary Manual adds that toxicosis in dogs and cats is most often linked to concentrated forms, dehydrated flakes, powders and dry soup mixes, and chives are frequently dried, frozen or snipped in bunches. A sprinkle meant for a baked potato is a garnish for you; a dog eating the bunch from the herb pot has taken a real dose.
Sour cream and chive dips, flavoured crisps and crackers, herb butters, omelettes, salads and the garden herb patch are the usual sources. Chive plants also regrow within reach of a grazing dog all season, unlike a bag of onions in a cupboard. If you grow chives, fence the herb bed or move the pot. Dried chive in seasoning mixes counts too, and it is easy to forget it is there when you are reading a label for salt alone.
Pet Poison Helpline lists the Allium pattern for chives among its kitchen toxins: red blood cell destruction causing anemia, with lethargy, pale gums, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and increased heart and breathing rates, starting anywhere from 24 hours to several days after eating and potentially lasting 10 to 20 days. Because the damage is to the blood, a dog can look normal through the first day and still be heading for anemia.
Phone your veterinarian, describe the amount and form, fresh, dried or in a dish, and follow their monitoring advice for the days ahead. Do not reassure yourself with a normal first evening. The onion guide and garlic guide cover this family's shared risks, and the emergency guide has the general steps.
This page is general information drawn from the published guidance of the organisations listed under Sources below. It is not veterinary advice, and it does not replace your own veterinarian, who knows your dog. If your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435, or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661 straight away. A consultation fee may apply on the helplines.
Last updated: November 2026. Every verdict on this page was checked against at least two of the sources listed below. How we work: our methodology.
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