Is Garlic Bad For Dogs?

The answer to the question “can dogs eat garlic” is simple: No, no, and no!

Simply put, garlic ranks high up on the list of foods that dogs should not eat. While it may seem like garlic would be fine for dogs since it’s considered a vegetable, and many people assume that all vegetables must be good for dogs, this couldn’t be farther from the truth.

In fact, even in small quantities, garlic has been known to cause severe negative reactions in dogs. Additionally, many popular garlic seasonings, like garlic salt, garlic powder, and minced garlic can be toxic to dogs, so it’s best to avoid these at all costs as well.

Why is Garlic Poisonous to Dogs?

Dogs and garlic simply don’t mix.

Garlic and other members of the allium family (e.g., onions, chives, leeks, shallots, and scallions) contain a substance known as thiosulfate. This can be toxic to dogs but not to humans.

What Happens If A Dog Eats Garlic?

When dogs eat garlic and other foods containing thiosulfates, they can develop hemolytic anemia. This is a disorder in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replenished. This substance also puts dogs at risk for developing other serious conditions, like Heinz body anemia and methemoglobinemia.

These disorders can cause several serious side effects, including rapid breathing, lethargy, weakness, jaundice and dark-colored urine.

A full list of symptoms can be found below:

Symptoms of Garlic Poisoning in Dogs

Abdominal tenderness and cramping
Anemia
Anorexia
Bad Breath
Dark-colored urine
Dehydration
Depression
Diarrhea
Liver and spleen inflammation
Nausea
Pale gums
Seizures
Vomiting
Weakness
Yellow skin and eyes
Muscle weakness

Garlic is considered toxic to dogs and cats by the ASPCA and the Pet Poison Helpline.

What to Do If Your Dog Eats Garlic

If your dog has eaten any amount of garlic, your best bet is to take him or her to a veterinarian or emergency animal clinic. Depending on symptom severity, your dog may need intravenous fluids or medication to control vomiting.

In severe cases, your dog may even need a blood transfusion to help mend the red blood cell damage caused by thiosulfate.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dogs & Garlic

For more information regarding dogs eating garlic, please refer to the F.A.Q listed below.

Remember, if you suspect your dog has eaten garlic, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible, so please stop reading this post and call the vet immediately.

Is Garlic Seasoning Bad For Dogs?

Garlic seasonings (e.g., minced garlic, garlic powder, garlic salt, etc.) are a common cause of garlic poisoning in dogs. Therefore, it’s critically important for dog owners to stow garlic in a safe and secure location.

How Much Garlic Is Safe For A Dog?

According to studies, it takes 15-30 grams of garlic per kilogram of body weight to produce negative symptoms in dogs. [i]

To put this amount in perspective, a single clove of garlic weighs between 3-7 grams, meaning your dog would have to consume a large amount of garlic before he or she starts to suffer from garlic poisoning.

However, just like the way humans have food allergies, some dogs can be more sensitive to garlic than others. So no amount of garlic should be considered safe for dogs.

Isn’t Garlic Good For Fleas?

Garlic is believed to be a natural flea repellant due to its ability to change the taste and smell of a dog’s skin, which is why you might read about garlic for dogs.

However, garlic may carry too many risks to be considered a safe and effective treatment for fleas.

If your dog has fleas, there are several safe and veterinarian-approved treatments available, all of which are safer and more effective than feeding garlic.

Isn’t Garlic in some Dog Treats?

In some pet circles, garlic is widely regarded as a safe and healthy supplement. So, you may find it in commercial dog treats. But it may not be worth the risk. There are some delicious treats for your dog right here!

Safe Treats for Your Dog

Looking for safe and nutritious treats for your dog? Look no further than Lucy Pet!

Our Hip to Be Square™ Dog Treats are made with real ingredients and in small batches without corn, wheat, soy, or grains.

What’s more, Lucy Pet’s Hip to Be Square™ dog treats contain real meat as the first ingredient and is the perfect snack or training tool for dogs of all breeds and life stages. They also break easily for small breeds!

Finally, Lucy Pet’s dog treats also contain no artificial flavors or colors and are naturally preserved. You can rest easy knowing your dog is eating a healthy dog treat containing only the ingredients they need to thrive, and nothing they don’t.

Salmon & Pumpkin Dog Treats

Lucy Pet’s Hip to Be Square™ Salmon and Pumpkin dog treats are a semi-moist treat made with premium salmon as the first ingredient.

This dog treat formula also features delicious pumpkin—a nutritional powerhouse with tons of healthy fiber to aid in digestion.

Our Salmon and Pumpkin dog treat is also a 100% grain-free, limited ingredient formula, making it a great choice for dogs with food sensitivities!

Duck & Pumpkin Dog Treats

Lucy Pet’s Hip to Be Square™ Duck and Pumpkin dog treats are a meaty, semi-moist dog treat made with real duck as the first ingredient.

This dog treat formula also features pumpkin to help boost your dog’s fiber intake, which is important for bolstering your dog’s immune system and promoting gut and digestive health.

And like all of our other dog treats, our Duck and Pumpkin treat features a grain-free, limited ingredient formula making them perfect for dogs with food sensitivities.

Chicken & Pumpkin Dog Treats

Lucy Pet’s Hip to Be Square™ Chicken & Pumpkin dog treats is chewy dog treats made with real chicken as the first ingredient.

We then add delicious, fiber-boosting pumpkin to the mix to give this treat a unique flavor edge and to aid in healthy digestion.

Finally, this limited ingredient dog treat formula is also 100% grain-free and ideal for dogs with food sensitivities!

Treat Your Dog With Lucy Pet!

If you’re looking to feed your dog the healthiest, most optimal meals, then look no further than Lucy Pet Foods.

Be it our Hip to Be Square™ dog treats or our Formulas for Life™ dog foods, our approach is the same: we believe dogs deserve the very best nutrition, which is why we only use natural, premium ingredients.

All of our dog food products are designed to promote healthy digestion, which is important for improving your dog’s immune system, and each of our food’s primary ingredient is a premium protein, ensuring that your dog is getting the actual nutrition he or she needs.

Finally, our dog foods are perfect for all dogs, regardless of age or breed, and are made right here in the USA!

Make the switch to Lucy Pet Foods and see what you’ve been missing!

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