Why Is Garlic Bad for Dogs?
Garlic, whether raw or cooked, is toxic to dogs. If a dog eats enough garlic, it can eventually kill them if they do not get medical treatment.
Garlic, onions, and leeks are all in the Allium genus of plants. Dogs are not allergic to plants in this genus, but the plants contain N-propyl disulfides and thiosulfates. When these are metabolized by the pet’s body, it causes damage to their red blood cells.
Garlic is a gastrointestinal irritant and can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. In high doses, it can also have toxic effects on the blood, particularly red blood cells.
Red blood cells transport oxygen to tissues. When a pet ingests garlic, it causes damage that disrupts the absorption and delivery of oxygen to the body, and it can also cause hemolysis, or destruction of red blood cells.
Consuming as little as 2 grams per pound of your dog’s weight can cause observable changes in a pets stomach, and larger amounts can damage the blood. For reference, each garlic clove weighs an average of 5 grams. For a medium-sized dog weighing around 25 pounds, treatment will be needed if they ingest 50 grams of garlic—approximately 10 cloves, or half of a garlic bulb.
Can Dogs Have Garlic Powder or Garlic Salt?
Garlic salt and powder are more concentrated forms of garlic. This means that smaller amounts of these substances can lead to toxic effects for your pet. Most toxicities noted in pets are caused by garlic used in these forms in food.
Dogs should not have garlic bread, since it contains a toxic ingredient, and the butter and fat are not good for your dog, either.
Garlic toxicity depends on how much garlic was consumed compared to the size of the pet. Garlic bread typically contains a lower amount of garlic compared to foods cooked with garlic or garlic salt/powder and is therefore less toxic.
While garlic is the only toxic ingredient typically used in garlic bread, it also has ingredients like butter and cheese, which are both high in fat and salt. Pets are not accustomed to eating rich foods such as this, and it may lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or pancreatitis.
Both sides of the garlic story
Some people will tell you that garlic is great as a flea and tick repellent. That may be true – it changes the smell of your dog’s skin, causing fleas to avoid it. But studies are inconclusive on this point. Some dog parents say it works, while others say it doesn’t. In the end, you need to decide if the benefits of using garlic are greater than the risks.
From a holistic standpoint, the medicinal benefits of garlic are much the same for dogs as they are for us humans. Garlic lowers cholesterol – which is great for overweight dogs – reduces inflammation, lowers blood pressure, and boosts the immune system. However, its benefits depend entirely on the type of garlic and dosage given. It’s VERY important to talk to your vet prior to giving your dog any garlic.
Let’s look at the traditional veterinary stance on garlic:
There was a study done that investigated the incidence of hemolytic anemia in dogs that were given garlic extract. This study is controversial, because only four dogs provided the data. Nonetheless, it concluded that garlic caused harmful changes in the blood cells of dogs, and determined garlic is not safe for them.
Veterinarians and poison control organizations all agree that garlic is not safe for dogs. The risks outweigh the benefits, making garlic, or any plant in the Allium family toxic enough to cause harm to your dog or cat. (Cats are 6 times more likely than dogs to get garlic poisoning!)
Pet Pro Tip: If you have a dog that is prone to ‘snacksidents’ – you should consider getting a dog insurance plan as soon as possible. It can help you afford the best care in the future by covering eligible vet bills for digestive illnesses, toxic ingestion, and more.
Garlic is from the Allium family of root vegetables. Onions, leeks, and chives are also members of this family. They all contain an organic compound called n-propyl disulfide, which causes oxidative damage to red blood cells and leads to hemolytic anemia. Garlic contains 5-10 times more of the compound than onions, leeks, chives, or shallots.
We find this toxic compound in all parts of allium plants. Unfortunately for dogs (and cats), they don’t have the digestive enzyme capable of processing it. Most of the time, undigested parts of food get pooped out, but not thiosulfates. They hang around and cause havoc in your dog’s body. They can even build up.
Thiosulfates attach to your dog’s red blood cells – the ones that carry oxygen through the body. Once this happens, the red blood cells become damaged and form clumps called Heinz bodies. The body thinks the damaged cells are invaders, and it destroys them faster than your dog’s body can produce more. We call this hemolysis, or the destruction of red blood cells.
Once this begins, if left unchecked, your dog will go into hemolytic anemia. There’s not enough oxygen being carried throughout the body to keep it functioning. The symptoms of anemia can appear quickly, but it’s more common for the first symptoms to appear a few days after a dog ingests a toxic amount of garlic. Table scraps are the most common cause of garlic poisoning.
Signs of hemolytic anemia are:
A dog suffering from these symptoms needs immediate medical attention to avoid kidney failure or even death. While it’s rare for dogs to die from eating garlic, Japanese breeds like Shiba Inu, Spitz, Chin, and Akita seem to be more prone to garlic toxicity. If you’d like to know more about allium family plants, go here.
How Much Garlic Can Kill A Dog? | DogVela
Can dogs eat garlic? Well, if you look at any dog-centered poisonous plant list garlic is there, so many people think they can’t. But don’t fret when it comes to garlic for dogs! You have nothing to fear and everything to gain.