Onion nutrients

I would not have thought of using onion! Always presumed, because it is danerous to some and generally bad for some creatures, that it was a bad gutload choice. Might have to rethink my twisted logic LOL. Which critters eat it?

To be clear, Im not suggesting it as something to use for good gutloading - Just that its okay for occassional incidental use.

I've heard people say its not good for birds and reptiles, due to sulfur and acid. But, I've fed onion to my roaches, on occassion (not regularily) and have never had issues. I've also fed tomatoe (fruit not leaves) and avacado (supposedly another no-no, due to persin) to my roaches and superworm beetles a few times, again no issues. Not something I go to often, not something I'd suggest people offer, but now and then if I have it kicking around and nothing else at hand ...

One concern I would have with onions is that it is toxic to dogs and cats. The thiosulfates in the onion family can cause hemolytic anemia, where the body destroys its own red blood cells. There isn't a consensus on if it's toxic to birds, but it definitely is to cattle/horses. Too little data in reptiles, but could potentially be a problem in them too. Small amounts occasionally in gutload are most likely not going to cause problems, but like Sandra said, use very sparingly, if at all. Personally I'll use other much more beneficial options.