Can Dogs Eat Garlic?

Here we have one massive problem. Some dog owners claim that garlic is a superfood. It will decrease blood pressure, fight bad cholesterol and so much more. Humans do get these benefits and dogs could get them as well. Can dogs eat garlic? Now you believe that this ingredient is ideal for all pets. You probably want to make it a part of a dog’s daily diet. Don’t do it! Here’s why.

Can Dogs Eat Garlic?

No, they shouldn’t eat garlic. The first thing you need to know here is that dogs can’t process some compounds from garlic properly. As such, this is bad and it is a toxic ingredient for dogs and even cats.  

The main problem here is n-propyl disulfide. This is a compound that all garlic variations have. For us, it is safe. We have enzymes in the stomach that will process the toxin and we won’t have any issues or complications. Dogs can’t do that. The compound will attach to the red blood cells. Once this happens, their body will think that these cells are threats or invaders if you prefer. The body will kill and destroy the cells. As a result, we have hemolytic anemia. 

Hemolytic Anemia Symptoms 

Generally speaking, if your pet eats a small amount of garlic, and he is a big dog, there probably won’t be any complications. But, if this lasts even for a few hours or days, a dog can develop hemolytic anemia. What this means is that he will show certain symptoms. These are:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Pain in the stomach
• Pale gums
• Increased heart rate
• Rapid breathing
• Discolored urine
• Ataxia 

Here you must know one thing. Your dog may have all of these symptoms or he can have just a few. Some dogs can develop the symptoms almost immediately and they will be severe. Others will need more time and the symptoms are minor. There are no rules here. We do know that certain breeds are more prone to garlic poisoning. These include Chin, Akita, Spitz, and Shiba Inu. If you have a dog of this breed, never give him garlic, not even in small amounts. 

If Your Dogs Ate Garlic, Take Him To A Vet

There is no other way to say this. If you notice that your dog ate garlic or gave him this ingredient, take him to a vet as soon as possible. If you don’t do this, he is in severe danger. He can develop kidney failure and he can die! This is not common and most dogs will get treatment or they will show minor symptoms. But, if you have a small dog who eats a lot of garlic, the risk is massive.

A vet will do several things for you. He will start with oxygen therapy to boost the oxygen amount in the blood. He may also perform additional tests to determine the cause and make the treatment more suitable. Some dogs may need IV fluids. All dogs will get powerful antioxidants. In rare cases, even blood transfusion is a mandatory treatment. 

Can I feed My Dog Garlic In Small Amounts

According to experts, you can do this. There is a safe amount of garlic. For instance, a dog with a weight of 100+ pounds can eat 3 cloves per day. A dog of 10-15 pounds can eat ½ clove per day. In general, a dog can eat 15-30 grams per kilogram. This is a safe amount. 

The real question is should you do it. What if your pet already ate garlic that day and you didn’t see it? What if you forgot that you fed him garlic in the morning? The risks are massive and honestly, they are much higher than the benefits your pet will get.

Keep in mind that dogs already get all the nutrients and vitamins from their diet. Adding garlic to the diet is far from a mandatory thing you have to do. Hence, we don’t recommend feeding your pet with garlic. There are a lot more options out there that are safe and come without any risks. If you still want to feed your pet with garlic, make sure to follow these guidelines and talk to your vet about the details. 

If you have a puppy, do not give him garlic. Puppies must not eat garlic in any amounts. It will be fatal. This applies to all allium vegetables so you should avoid onions and similar foods as well. Anemic dogs and dogs with lupus must not eat garlic either. Lupus causes the body to attack the tissue so the garlic will make it worse. If a dog with anemia loses even more red blood cells he will have even more severe symptoms. 

Garlic Powder, Garlic Oil, and Wild Garlic

There are a few variations here. First, wild garlic is toxic as well and all parts of it contain the toxin that can kill your pet. Then we have garlic supplements. These are a much safer option and you can see some dog owners giving them to the dogs on a daily basis. But, talk to your vet and determine should you do this and will your pet benefit from these supplements. Garlic powder and oils are extremely bad. These are more dangerous than ordinary garlic so you can deduce our answer here. 

The bottom line here is that you can use only garlic supplements if your vet suggests that. Some dogs may need these benefits and can really enjoy the supplements. But, most dogs do not need them and a proper diet with healthy treats is the best option.

The Final Word

Can dogs eat garlic? No, they shouldn’t eat garlic.  In larger amounts, garlic is extremely dangerous. It is best to avoid garlic and all similar foods which contain n-propyl disulfide. The risk is simply too high and you don’t want your dog to suffer due to some health benefits he can get from other foods.