The proverbial, delicious garlic, which provides flavor to various dishes in the kitchen, has always had a negative reputation if it’s given to dogs. Most dog owners are often taken aback whenever they hear that garlic can be used on dogs safely. The fact that garlic offers benefits to canines can also be new information to them.
Garlic is potent. It possesses abundant health benefits for humans and canines. Yet, many articles out there state the contrary. As a result, dog owners become confused about what garlic can truly give their pets.
Responsible dog owners should have basic and credible information about garlic. If they know garlic well, they could give their pets safe amounts of the herb, resulting in optimal health.
The Use of Garlic on Dogs
The decision to use garlic to improve a dog’s health belongs to the pet parent. Caution always hangs in the air each time pharmaceutical or alternative treatments enter the picture. Dog owners cannot make give or do something dangerous to their pets.
Many organizations, including ASPCA, consider garlic hazardous to dogs because it is a member of the onion group. In the right ingested amounts, this herb has chemical components that deteriorate red blood cells.
Thiosulphate is garlic’s active component. It is the controversial aspect of garlic that causes liver damage and hemolytic anemia. Despite the dangers of thiosulphate, it all comes down to how much dogs receive.
Ideal Dosage of Garlic for Canines
Risk is an important aspect of administering garlic on dogs. Yes, thiosulphate is hazardous to them, but with the proper information, dogs can take in garlic without any problem at all. It is the same rule in any treatment.
The right garlic dosages for canines are influenced by the form of the herb and the dog’s body weight. Majority of practicing professionals of holistic veterinary medicine recommend fresh garlic. They strongly say that this is the only form of garlic that dogs should consume. Dog owners could easily mince or crush this herb and mix it with dog food.
Note: The standard dosage is a small clove of garlic for 20 lbs. of the dog’s weight:
| Dog’s Weight | Dosage |
|---|---|
| 10 – 15 lbs. | Half a garlic clove |
| 20 – 40 lbs. | 1 garlic clove |
| 45 – 70 lbs. | 2 garlic cloves |
| 75 – 90 lbs. | 2 ½ garlic cloves |
| At least 100 lbs. | 3 garlic cloves |
Dog owners should read the brand label of garlic extract preparations. This way, they could adjust the dosage based on the directions.
Note: The given dosages above should have a rest of a day to two days in between. A week off the dosages is good as well.
Benefits of Garlic for Dogs
The following are the known benefits of garlic for dogs:
- Detoxifies
- The components inside a single bulb of garlic can aid in flushing toxins out of the dog’s body and improve the function of the liver. This can prevent the development of diseases such as cancer.
- Immune System Stimulant
- It sparks the way the bloodstream functions by pushing cell activity to fight the detrimental cells and microbes. Immuno-compromised dogs or dogs that suffer from other life-threatening conditions such as cancer can get a lot out of garlic.
- Lowers the levels of blood cholesterol
- It trims down triglyceride levels, so it helps dogs with hyperlipidemia
- Antimicrobial / antibacterial effects
- This herb eliminates external and internal bacteria. It also fights fungal, as well as viral infections. Garlic strengthens a dog’s immune system to go against protozoans and parasites.
Can Dogs Eat Garlic Bread?
The aroma of garlic bread is something very tempting to any dog. Remember that garlic bread has a lot of herbs, butter, cheese, oil, and garlic. A single piece could upset a dog’s stomach. It is a high-calorie food item, filled with fat, salt, with empty calories.
Dog owners should not give garlic bread to their pets. Diarrhea, stomach ache, and vomiting are only a few of the health problems that the dog can acquire from eating garlic bread.
Can Dogs Take Garlic Supplements?
The idea of giving garlic supplements to dogs as a tick and flea preventative is highly confusing. According to studies, garlic health supplements for dogs has not truly given a constant flow of good results.
It is always best to consult a veterinarian before giving a puppy or a dog garlic supplements because of the known risks. Incorrect doses of garlic supplements could be toxic to canines.
It is ideal to establish a good treatment and prevention plan with the attending veterinarian for best results.
Can Dogs Eat Garlic Powder?
Garlic powder is spicy. Mixing it with dog food will result in stomach issues for the canine that eats it. If dog owners are not careful, they could give excessive amounts of garlic.
Yes, dogs can eat garlic powder but make certain that it is only in small amounts, so as not to cause any gastric problems.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Garlic?
Dogs can eat cooked garlic. Just make sure that garlic is just given in small amounts. Roasted garlic is far healthier than fried garlic.
What If the Dog Eats Too Much Garlic?
Garlic toxicity or garlic poisoning in dogs happens when these pets eat too much garlic.
Dog owners should be careful in feeding garlic to their pets. Garlic is a member of the onion family, which is why it is poisonous to dogs. It is even more poisonous when in powdered form. Dog breeds such as Shiba Inu, Akita, and Japanese Spitz are more sensitive to garlic.
It is still unclear as to why they are more affected by garlic than other breeds. A number of scientists believe that this happens since these breeds have a hereditary trait of low potassium and glutathione in the blood. These dogs also have high amounts of red blood cells in their body.
Garlic poisoning damages the dog’s red blood cells. It also brings about respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal irritations manifested through diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, along with nausea. If this is not treated immediately, it can be fatal.
Garlic’s sulphuric compounds are absorbed into the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. They are then converted to reactive oxidants that destroy the dog’s red blood cells.
The symptoms of canine garlic poisoning depend on the weight of the dog and how much garlic the dog ate. Here are some of the common symptoms:
- Anemia
- Tenderness of the abdomen
- Cramping of the abdomen
- Anorexia
- Hematuria or blood in the urine
- Dehydration
- Sudden collapse
- Depression
- Ataxia or lack of coordination in muscles
- Drooling
- Increased heart rate
- Diarrhea
- Increased respiratory rate
- Generalized body weakness
- Intolerance to exercise
- Dyspnea or difficulty in breathing
- Jaundice or yellow coloration of the eyes and skin
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Lethargy
- Hepatosplenomegaly or inflammation of the liver and spleen
- Paleness of gums
- Brown or red colored urine
A dog must eat 15 to 30 grams of garlic per kilogram of dog weight to trigger the effects of garlic poisoning. The weight of an average garlic clove in the supermarket is about 3 to 7 grams.
Some dogs would have to consume a lot of garlic cloves to get garlic poisoned. Others are highly sensitive to garlic that a small dose of garlic given over several days could still give them health problems.
If the dog owner suspects that the pet is suffering from garlic poisoning, it is best to rush the pet to the veterinarian immediately. This fatal condition may need supportive or palliative care.
Intravenous therapy will keep the dog hydrated. Anti-emetic medication helps stop vomiting. Some canine patients may require blood transfusions as well.
Are There Alternatives to Garlic?
Instead of garlic, which poses a risk for poisoning, why not give other healthy foods? Below are some examples:
- Watermelon
- Apples
- Cucumbers
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
Studies on Garlic and Dogs
There was a study performed at the Hokkaido University back in 2000. In that particular study, four dogs received 1.25 ml of garlic extract for every kilogram of the dog’s body weight for 7 consecutive days. The dose given to the dogs was very high.
It was equal to about 25 large cloves of garlic, taken every single day by a dog that weighs fifty pounds. The garlic given to the dogs was raw. By the end of the study, none of the 4 dogs developed any diseases, even hemolytic anemia.
This was a study conducted in a controlled experimental setting. Most certainly, the dogs that participated in it were in the best of health. To be certain that dogs living in ordinary homes do not ingest excessive amounts of garlic, it is always better to consult the attending veterinarian. Garlic, in small amounts and under the supervision of the veterinarian, is still best to give any dog.
How to Prevent Dogs from the Harmful Effects of Garlic
The amount of garlic, the dog’s health, and how the herb is used are the concerns of any dog owner and veterinarian. This is the same with any treatment, conventional or alternative.
The following are circumstances in which garlic should not be used:
- If the dog is diabetic
- If the dog is anemic
- If the dog has lupus
- If the dog is going to undergo surgery
- Puppies 6 to 8 weeks of age
If the dog has a medical condition that excludes garlic from the diet
Exotic Japanese dog breeds such as Shiba Inus and Akitas that are highly sensitive to garlic.
Dogs deserve optimal care. Providing the right foods and supplements helps make this possible. Garlic is a healthy herb, but only if given in the right amounts. Work with the right veterinarian and surely the family dog will benefit a lot.
Can dogs eat garlic? Yes, but only in the right doses.