Garlic and Your Dog
I get a lot of comments from you guys about the toxity of garlic. We’ve all heard about how garlic is poisonous to dogs and how we, as loving pet owners, should never, ever feed it to our furry babies. The truth is, I’ve always done it. The amounts of garlic present in the treats that I make for my pooch will never be enough to do him harm. I would never purposely do that to him!
However, you don’t have to take my word for it. Here’s a great article by Lisa S. Newman, ND, Ph.D. that I thought might clear things up once and for all. By the way, not only has she written 9 books, but since 1982, Dr. Newman has been a world renowned pioneer in the field of natural pet care. Here’s what she has to say in an article titled, “Garlic, the Facts”:
“When it comes to your pet’s health, do you want to follow facts or fears? Unfortunately, garlic has come under attack. This is primarily as a result of garlic’s close cousin onion’s reputation for triggering hemolytic or “Heinz factor” anemia (where circulating red blood cells burst) through its high concentration of thiosulphate. With onions, a single generous serving can cause this reaction. Garlic simply DOES NOT CONTAIN THE SAME CONCENTRATION of this compound! In fact, it is barely traceable and readily excreted (not stored in the body).
Despite this fact, garlic is falling victim to mass hysteria spread through the internet. Yes, there are 51,174 sites devoted to warning about the “toxicity” of garlic, this hysteria has even prompted the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center to place a warning on garlic although there is little scientific data to back this claim other than the fact that thiosulphate is also found in garlic. Yet, there are also over 400,000 sites still proclaiming its benefits, many of them from reputable holistic veterinarians who have widely used garlic in their practice for many years! How can an herb suddenly turn so bad?!
There is no doubt that onion, due to its concentration of thiosulphate, will cause Heinz factor anemia. In addition, as stated by Wendy Wallner, DVM, “Onions are only one of the substances which can cause Heinz body anemia. Other substances such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and benzocaine-containing topical preparations can also cause Heinz body anemia in the dog.” The latter probably accounts for many cases as it is prevalent in creams often recommended for allergy-suffering pets due to its ability to numb the itch. It is absorbed through the skin and builds up in the blood stream. This other substance is likely to have been involved in cases where garlic was suspect.
For centuries, as long as humans have been using herbs, garlic has been a primary remedy turned to in a majority of cases. For as long as people have been using garlic, they have also been feeding it to their animal companions. Its properties have proven far reaching, easy on the body and safe to use. In the past fifty years, during the rebirth of holistic medicine in the United States, garlic has been in the forefront. Every text that I have researched on herbal health which mentions pet care has recommended it, especially for its incredible anti-parasitic and anti-septic properties. In my own experience, garlic has also benefited pets with cancer, diabetes, liver, heart and kidney disease, uncontrollable staph infections and a host of other conditions, as well as been a staple in my recommended preventative protocols. It has been widely used by hundreds of thousands of pet owners with no reported negative side-effects – except its effect on their animal’s breath – until now. This is the point; garlic has suddenly become a “suspect,” not proven the culprit. Do not let mass hysteria determine a holistic care program for your dog or cat. Follow hundreds of years of “proven use” rather than recent “suspicions” in regards to this miracle herb, as garlic is known to be. As with anything, do use garlic in reasonable doses, and do know that you can trust history over hysteria.”
What do you think? Yea or Nay on the use of garlic? Have you had any positive experiences, such as flea control, resulting from feeding your dog garlic? I’d love to know!
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GOOD LORD PEOPLE!!! IT IS TOXIC FOR DOGS!!!! TOXIC. Do you really think that leaving it out and saving his digestive tract would really leave your dog saying, “hmmm it could use some potentially fatal garlic, I can’t eat this.”
Just leave it out, forget about it and move on.
Hi Christina,
I approved your comment, but I’m am not sure that you have even read the article. That’s unfortunate because you were in the target audience.
If you don’t feel comfortable even using a “seasoning amount” of garlic, then by all means please leave it out of the recipes.
Thank you.
I have been using a certified veterinary homeopath for my dogs’ and cats’ health care needs for 6 years now. He possesses over 25 years of experience in both traditional and homeopathic veterinary practices, and in small amounts, he has instructed the use of garlic in homemade dog foods, especially during flea season. Also, the dog food recipes listed in Dr. Pitcairn’s Guide to Homeopathic Pet Care (the homeopathic bible) also includes garlic in those recipes. I am not currently making my dog’s food, but I have in the past. My animals are healthy, robust, vibrant, happy animals. Garlic is chemically *not* the same scenario as onions or raisins, or other documented toxic substances for dogs. I trust Dr. Falconer would never steer me in a direction that would be harmful to my pack.
Garlic is great for your pooches! Onions are not. While dogs will eat both, only the garlic family is friendly for canines. It will help them from getting fleas and ticks, as these parasites don’t like the taste it gives from their skin! As you cook a broth to add to your dog’s food be sure to add garlic. (Not too much as it can cause indigestion, otherwise it actually aids in digestion and adds good enzymes in dogs tummies!) Cooking for Fido is better than the store bought stuff because you will be careful not to add artificial colors, or artificial flavor enhansors like MSG. Spend the time and see the difference in your dog’s coat, weight, and general health. It’s a good thing to cook fresh meats, vegetables, and grains for your canines!!
I have been looking all over the net and there are so many sites with does and don’t and then sites with does and don’t that say the opposite. Can give me some information on what I can, sometimes can(in small amounts) and never give my dog in terms of vegetables or fruit.
I want to give me little guy a good varity of food and healthy diet too!
Thanks
GARLIC is safe for pets. I feed it to my pets several times a week. Have done so for YEARS and they are 100 percent healthy. My vet approves of the use of garlic AND my pets love it.
Garlic is great for dogs!!! I have a very healthy 3 yr old Chihuahua and he has never had a single flea, or digestive problem in his life. My vet thinks he is the best patient she has when it comes to small breeds. Unlike most small dogs he has all of his teeth, is great physical shape and is not a bit over weight. I’m picky about what I give my dog. He is eating a holistic dog food for small breeds found at pet stores. He loves it. I would never give him something bad. We can’t grow garlic in our garden because our cats and dog dig it up and eat it, and they are all in perfect health.