Can My Dog Eat Garlic?

You might have read about theories with contradicting opinions about garlic and dogs. While some claim garlic can be extremely poisonous for your pooch, some hail its benefits. It all boils down to how much garlic can a dog have.

Is Garlic Safe For My Dog?

Yes, it is safe. A tiny amount of garlic in your dog’s meal will not hurt it. If you are confused about the exact dosage, use a measuring spoon.

Depending on your dog’s weight, this could be the average quantity of garlic:

• 5 pounds: 1/6 tsp
• 10 pounds: 1/3 tsp
• 15 pounds: 1/2 tsp
• 20 pounds: 2/3 tsp
• 30 pounds: 1 tsp

If you want to know the optimum amount based on the number of garlic cloves, Dr. Pitcairn recommends the following.

• 10 to 15 pounds: 1/2 clove
• 15 to 40 pounds: 1 clove
• 40 to 70 pounds: 2 cloves
• 70 to 90 pounds: 2 1/2 cloves
• 100 pounds +: 3 cloves

We recommend consulting your vet before you add garlic to your dog’s diet.

When Is Garlic Toxic for Dogs?

Excess garlic can be dangerous for your dog because garlic is made up of a substance called thiosulphate. This is toxic for your dog’s red blood cells. This results in a disruption of oxygen flow in your dog’s system making it feeble and inactive.

If you believe your dog has overdosed on garlic, rush it to the vet immediately. Garlic poisoning in dogs is a critical issue. Here are some signs to help you detect it:;

• Increased tiredness and fatigue
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Excessive Drooling
• Uneasy panting
• Inflammation in liver and spleen
• Seizures
• Jaundice
• Weak gums
• Blood while urine
• Unstable heart rate and breathing rates

An abundance of garlic in dog food can lead to intestinal issues in dogs. Hence, it’s best not to go overboard with it. Plus, if your dog has pre-existing anemia or lupus issues, keep it miles away from garlic.

What Are The Benefits of Garlic In Dogs?

Garlic has numerous health advantages. Add small amounts of garlic to your dog’s meals so it can avail of its many benefits.

• After eating such meals for a few days, your dog’s blood will develop a garlic flavor. The blood becomes unsavory for ticks and fleas. Hence, garlic acts as an excellent repellent.
• Garlic helps purify the blood and acts as an immunity booster. This superfood can destroy harmful microbes and cancer cells within their system.
• Garlic aids the liver in detoxifying toxins from the body. It also strengthens the liver.
• Its antibacterial properties act as a catalyst to combat bacteria, parasites, protozoan organisms, and viruses present in the dog’s system.
• It helps cut down blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Garlic fends off blood clots, lowers cholesterol and excess fat in the arteries.

Also Read: Can My Dog Eat Cinnamon?

How to Add Garlic in Your Dog’s Routine?

The safest way to add some is by carefully peeling, mincing, chopping, and crushing fresh garlic. Ideally, you should let it stay for a couple of minutes before you mix it in your dog’s food.

The only way to know if your dog will like garlic is through trial and error. Start with minimal doses of fresh organic garlic and see how it reacts to it. If your pet likes it, gradually increase the content until you meet the desirable amounts.

Every dog is a unique kind and will exhibit different tolerance levels to garlic.  If your dog is allergic to garlic or shows signs of discomfort it is best to eliminate it from your dog’s diet after consultation with your vet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can My Dog Eat Garlic Powder?

Made of dehydrated garlic, garlic powder can be harmful if consumed in more than the requisite amounts. It is best to avoid it unless you are sure of the recommended amount you can give your dog.

Can My Dog Eat Garlic Bread?

Despite being a delicious treat, garlic bread is not good for your pet. It is made up of extra oil, butter, seasoning, and salt. Essentially it is all components your dog’s body does not require.

Can My Dog Eat Garlic Sauce?

Garlic sauce can prove to be harmful for your dog. Plus, the extra oil, butter, and salt along with additional additives are best-kept miles away from your pet.

How Much Garlic Can Kill A Dog?

According to research, toxic effects are seen in a dog’s bloodstream when 15 to 30 grams of garlic per kilogram of your dog’s weight is consumed. This implies that if your dog weighs 86 pounds, it has to eat around 150 plus garlic cloves to be poisoned by it.

We hope this article has shed light on the query: will a small amount of garlic hurt my dog? If consumed as prescribed, it is an excellent ingredient for dogs. Garlic will not only enhance the flavor of the meals but also boost your dog’s internal health.

A few things to keep in mind are that garlic must be nicely chopped and minced in the right quantities. Consult your vet to know the exact proportion of garlic that is right for your dog.