Why Do Some Dog Foods Have Garlic?
Garlic contains many healthy components, such as amino acids, sulfur, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamins. At very low doses, garlic can be beneficial for your pet’s health. Most pet foods have very low concentrations of garlic and have been tested by pet food manufacturers with no toxic effects observed.
But remember that these foods have been tested, and it is not the same as giving your dog garlic at home.
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.
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.
