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While garlic is considered extremely healthy for humans, many dog owners wonder if this also applies to dogs. Finally, garlic may help keep parasites, worms, or ticks away. But opinions differ here, and many guidebooks even say that garlic is poisonous to dogs. But what is ultimately correct?
The Most Important Things Summarized
- As is so often the case, the quantity decides whether garlic is poisonous for dogs or whether the animals benefit from the positive active ingredients, which not only have a revitalizing effect but are also intended to keep ticks and other parasites away.
- If the dosage is too high, there is a risk of anemia and, as a result, poisoning if dead blood cells block the kidneys and cause symptoms of poisoning.
- Special preparations that you can mix with the food in the appropriate dosage are more suitable for dogs than fresh garlic.
Harmful Substances in Garlic
Leek-like plants such as onions or garlic contain allicin, a sulfur-containing amino acid that can destroy the hemoglobin in red blood cells. The broken-down blood cells may then clog fine kidney channels, which can ultimately result not only in anemia but also in various symptoms of poisoning.
However, this is the worst case, which can only occur with larger amounts of garlic. Smaller amounts, on the other hand, convince with their positive effect.
It Depends on the Crowd
So it depends on the amount, as so often the dose makes the poison here. For both garlic powder and fresh garlic, the upper limit is 5 grams per kilogram of body weight, with a dog consuming a maximum of 0.5 percent of its total weight. For a dog that weighs 10 kilograms, that is 50 grams of garlic.
50 grams corresponds to almost a whole tuber – that’s a lot that hardly any dog will eat voluntarily per portion. Especially with large dogs, you can put a toe in the bowl without hesitation.
While it doesn’t matter whether you feed the specified amount of powdered, dried, or fresh garlic, the recommended dosage for garlic extract is significantly lower: only 1.25 ml per kilogram of body weight is considered harmless.
Small Amounts are Healthy
While too high a dose of garlic can be harmful to dogs, smaller amounts of garlic are considered healthy. Veterinarians, for example, recommend a daily amount of around four grams per day and dog. These strengthen the heart and circulation and keep the beloved four-legged friends free from the annoying pests during the tick season.
- keeps vermin and parasites away
- prevents age problems
- increases performance and vitality
- promotes purification of the blood
Beware of Certain Breeds
There are dog breeds like the Akita or Shiba Inu that are born with an abnormality in their red blood cells anyway, so they are somewhat more susceptible to side effects when given garlic. It is, therefore, best not to take supplements here.
Symptoms Indicate Garlic Poisoning in Dogs
Most of the symptoms that appear in a dog with garlic poisoning are non-specific and can certainly occur with other diseases as well. Delayed onset sometimes complicates attribution to garlic consumption, making correct diagnosis more difficult.
- Diarrhea
- Vomit
- increased breathing or heart rate
- in anemia: pale or yellowish mucous membranes
- dark urine
Buy Garlic for Dogs
Not every animal likes fresh garlic in its feed. There are special pellets, tablets, or granules that you can regularly mix with the dog’s food.
However, if your four-legged friend is one of those animals that really love fresh toes, make sure that they are stored somewhere out of your pet’s reach to avoid overdosing.
Alternatives to Garlic as a Tick Repellent
Although the effect has hardly been scientifically proven, garlic is considered a remedy against tick infestation and other parasites. If you don’t want to feed your dog garlic, but still want to use a natural tick repellent, it’s a good idea to rub coconut oil or neem oil on the fur.