Ladybee (Oklahoma Ciy, OK) on 06/28/2007
"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.
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Since 1982, Dr. Newman has been a world renowned pioneer in the field of natural pet care. The author of nine books."
Replied By Frank (Kingston, Ny) on 10/13/2010
All I know is that I gave my two dogs pieces of steak that had garlic seasoning on them and here were their symptoms:
Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and both of them had asthmatic attacks. I didn't know garlic could do this either, but now I am convinced! ... Unless the seasoning I used had onions, too, but was not listed for some reason. I've heard that garlic does have a similar compound that is in onions and it depends on how it is fixed. Raw garlic and onions are very toxic, as well as the dried bulbs.
Sincerely, Frank Moretti
Replied By Bb (Atlanta, Ga Usa) on 10/16/2010
Replied By Deirdre (Alton, Ia) on 10/30/2010
Replied By Jeannie (Dalton, Georgia) on 12/20/2010
Replied By Gerald (Columbus, Ohio Usa) on 12/25/2010
Replied By Amy ( Columbus, Oh) on 12/29/2010
Replied By Dan (Paris Crossing, In) on 12/30/2010
Replied By Seattlesbestemily (Seattle, Wa) on 01/18/2011
Replied By Debby (Atascadero, Ca) on 03/15/2011
Replied By 5 Pooches Home (Houston, Tx) on 03/16/2011
I am against garlic powder as that's not the real thing and is a processed food that has been chemically or mechanically altered. Plus it has other things that is no good. Always try to give your pooches the most natural earthy foods.
My chis also eat 100% home cooked meals. You can also give coconut oil in addition. Good for coat and joint problems and prevents OBESITY & diabetes in dogs. Buy a high quality one that is organic or expeller pressed.
Also for fleas as well as skin, after giving your chi a bath with a MILD BABY SOAP FREE SHAMPOO you should massage a good layer of oil on your baby all over - use coconut oil or almond oil or NEEM OIL (available at Indian grocery stores or internation isles or health food store). For skin conditions, NEEM OIL is the best. Mix with coconut or almond oil if you like. Oil is good for dog's skin as it prevents fleas, environmental toxins, pollution, dirt from getting into your dog's skin and thus protects the body as our skin is the biggest absorbing organ. Hope this helps!
Replied By Debby (Atascadero, Ca) on 03/16/2011
Also, she's a pretty "picky" eater, so I'm thinking it may keep her from eating her food, or she'll eat around it. If that happens, would it be OK to just "hide" it in a chunck of cheese; she loves cheese.
Thank you for all your other helpful information, very helpful.
You wouldn't know of any natural methods to get rid of them in the yard. We usually have very heavy freezes here, but haven't had them for a few years and I'm thinking that's why we're having such a flea problem. I really don't want to use chemicals in our yard, but may have to resort to that if this doesn't work :( Any suggestions?)
Thank you, Debby
Replied By 5 Pooches Home (Houston, Tx) on 03/17/2011
Yes you can give her garlic anyway she likes. Commercial dog food is bad and maybe your dog is telling you she doesn't like it. If you can, try giving her freshly made homemade food. After a while you won't need any flea control coz when dogs eat homemade diet they have no odor inside or outside so no fleas find them interesting enough to come around. I have 5 dogs and all of them eat homemade and are all vegan. I give them brown rice with bunch of beans and veggies and they love it! No surprise NONE of them have fleas ever or any health or skin condition.
Also you can make your own flea spray and just spray on her while going outside.
1. In big bowl of water (3-4 cups), put in some lemon rinds and bring to boil.
2. Add 3-4 cloves.
3. 3 tablespoon apple cider vinegar. Turn the stove off when its warm enough.
4. If you like, you can add some essential oil like lavendor, tea tree or eucalyptus or neem oil.
5. Let the mixture steep over night. Cover it.
6. Put in spray bottle. Use.
For yard and house, use diatomaceous earth.
Plz. don't use chemicals. Our pets play, lick, lie, jump and relax on the floors and carpets and it goes directly in their skin and in their body when they lick themselves.
You can eaily give her 2 cloves of garlic each day. My chis are smaller and they eat 3-4 cloves each day easily!
Always know it NOT the mother nature's food (grown on earth's soil) that is the problem. Its the commercial dog food that is BAD and thus causes reactions to natural foods or what not! Thus the good thing gets bad publicity like garlic and avocadoes! When will people realize that its the deadly dog food they have been feeding their pet that's causing a reaction??
Good luck! Hope this helps.
Replied By Linda (Citrus Springs, Florida, U.s.a.) on 03/19/2011
Replied By Debby (Atascadero, Ca) on 03/19/2011
Thank you for taking the time to give me all this helpful imformation... I'm going to try it... We, Mitzi, Spanky, my husband and myself, Debby, sure hope it helps :)
Blessings to You and all your little 4 legged friends! Debby
Replied By Tshona (Scottsdale, Az) on 08/25/2011
Replied By Mary Robbins (Red Bluff, California) on 09/16/2011
Replied By Garlicisnotsafe (Springvale, Me) on 09/23/2011
http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.1446
Replied By Ajoy (New Delhi, India) on 10/15/2011
Instead of, processed food here is what I cook once and give it for 10 meals (twice a day, for five days)
. Parboiled/Brown Rice - 250g
. Cut vegetables and scraps/peels - pumpkin, bottle guard, cabbage, potato peels etc - 1/2 kg
. Garlic paste (ground at home) - 1 tablespoon
. Turmeric - 1 teaspoon
. Animal Fat (100g) or Vegetable Oil (2 table spoons)
. Mince meat or offal (if any) - 200g
Cook the mixture in a pressure cooker and divide it into containers. Refrigerate the containers and give one each meal.
Replied By Janet (Opelousas, Louisiana) on 10/19/2011
Replied By Anonymous (Menominee, Michigan) on 10/23/2011
Replied By Matthew (Lawrence, Kansas, Usa) on 11/25/2011
I wasn't even aware that there was a debate about this. I just wanted to know if garlic was bad as I put it in the broth I'm making out of turkey leftovers and when I strain the veggies out I'm giving them to the dogs :)
Replied By Mrsfluffurs (Port Richey, Fl, Usa) on 12/14/2011
I have no idea how many mg are in a clove of garlic. These numbers seem high to me. I don't want to overdose my dogs and cause them harm.
Those of you that give your dogs garlic pills or soft gels how much do you give them? What does your bottle say as far as mg? Are my soft gels safe for my babies? I would really appreciate any help. We just lost one of our dogs last week. She was bitten by a snake. She was 16 yrs old. I wish I knew about the benefits of garlic before, maybe she would still be with us. I have 4 special needs children that we adopted, and the dogs have played a HUGE role in the children's therapy, I want to prolong the lives of my other 3 dogs, I can't bear to lose another dog and it's been absolutely devastating for the children. So if anyone knows if it's ok to give the dogs garlic in pill or softgel form and if so how much. Thank you very much.
Replied By Dogma (Honolulu, Hawaii) on 12/19/2011
What are you giving it to them for, I wonder.
Find a holistic vet you can work with. They might suggest something better or a combination of things depending on your needs. At the least they would give proper dosage. You don't have to have one in your area - many of them will do phone consults. Your job is just to find one that you respect and trust to give you advice on natural remedies specific for your dogs. Organic Raw garlic is best - maybe hide a little sliver in a bit of organic beef? A dog who won't take something you hand them for no reason might take it if you get them to do a trick and the put it out as a treat which the usually take so quickly there is little time for investigation.
I'll check back to see if you have any more questions. In the mean time, take those pills yourself - sounds like you should be boosting your immune system with a house full of loving souls that need you!
Replied By Philip (Rancho Cucamonga, Ca/ Usa) on 05/21/2012
Check this website it will show you the effects of garlic in the stomach, scientifically tested tnx
Replied By Lb (Houston, Tx) on 09/11/2012
Replied By Mark (Nc) on 11/26/2014
Replied By Diamond (Ma.) on 04/17/2015
Some times saving money is well worth the effort for our pets and there is no guarantee that vets.are 100% fool proof. While doing numerous web searches to find the correct treatment/s we should know what is good and what isn't.
Good Luck with your journey.
Replied By Diamond (Ma.) on 04/17/2015
Good Luck/love your posts.
Replied By Diamond (Ma.) on 07/21/2015
Theresa
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
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Garlic For Dogs: Poison Or Medicine?
By Rita Hogan
If you look at any dog-centered poisonous plant list garlic is there. Don't fret! You have nothing to fear and everything to gain.
· I'll set your mind at ease by telling you how to properly prepare garlic for dogs for maximum health benefits, and how much you can safely feed your dog.
· First, here's why garlic is such a wonderful plant …
Garlic's Properties
· Garlic is high in inulin, amino acids, sulphur, zinc, potassium and phosphorus. It also contains vitamin A, C, calcium, magnesium, manganese, selenium, germanium and B-complex vitamins.
· Garlic's pungent energy warms the body. Pungent herbs move energy upwards and outwards to the body's surface, improving circulation. Garlic also has an affinity for the lungs, large intestine, spleen and stomach.
· Garlic helps detoxify the body. It supports beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract and eliminates harmful bacteria. I use it in the fall, winter and early spring as a detox and to balance out the digestive system.
· As a liver enhancer, garlic breaks down wastes before they enter the bloodstream. It also helps your dog assimilate nutrients and eliminate wastes through the entire digestive tract.
· Garlic is high in sulphur and fructans (inulin and oligofructose). Fructans can cause digestive upset in dogs suffering from leaky gut, inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. When undigested fructans ferment in the small intestine, they cause bloating, gas and constipation. Your dog's digestive system needs to be healthy before you feed her garlic.
Note: If you've made it this far, you're likely one cool cat with a solid interest in your dog's health. Stick around, there's more. But before you go, add your email belowand we'll send you this free pet food analyzer you can try at home. Here's what to do:
1. Grab your pets food bag or can
2. download the free analyzer
3. Analyze your pet's food ingredients and know which foods to steer clear of and which are the good guys
Garlic's Actions
Here are some ways garlic helps keep your dog healthy:
· Prevents the formation of blood clots (anti-platelet)
· Decreases cholesterol build up (anti-cholesterolemic)
· Widens blood vessels (vasodilator)
· Helps prevent the formation of tumors (anti-tumor)
· Stimulates the lymphatic system to remove wastes
· Antibiotic, antifungal and antiparasitic
Garlic has other uses in addition to these health benefits.
Flea And Tick Repellent
Garlic may help you in the war on fleas and ticks if you feed it to your dogs during flea and tick season. It takes a couple of weeks for garlic to build up in your dog's natural coat oil, so start feeding it before the bug season starts.
I don't bathe my dogs too much during flea and tick season. One good soapy wash and you'll have to start the build-up process again. To avoid this, use a Castile soap for bathing, or use cornstarch or Fuller's Earth as a dry shampoo (but use these sparingly … you don't want to dry out your dog's coat too much).
When using garlic as a flea and tick repellent, feed each day for two weeks, then twice a week for maintenance.
Garlic And Cancer
Garlic for dogs has shown promise with cancers of the colon, lung, stomach and rectum. The compounds in garlic increase immunity and enhance natural killer cells. Natural killer cells destroy pathogenic bacteria and cancer cells.
While there are few clinical trials studying the anti-cancer effects of garlic, the National Cancer Institute reports that several population studies show an association between increased garlic intake and reduced risk of several types of cancer.
The Importance Of Fresh Raw Garlic
My clients always ask, “can I use the pre-chopped garlic in the jar?” or “How about the peeled whole clove garlic in the bag…it's organic?”
My answer is always NO.
When I say fresh, raw garlic I really mean fresh, raw, organically grown garlic … the kind that stays in the husk until 10 to 15 minutes before you feed your dog.
Buy garlic that's produced in the United States, preferably grown locally or in your own garden. Make sure you know where your garlic comes from. All garlic isn't created equal.
For example, Chinese garlic consistently tests positive for unsafe levels of arsenic, heavy metals and chlorine. Don't risk your dog's health by using it!
So, again, just to be clear: use fresh, raw, organic garlic whenever you're supplementing or feeding garlic for dogs. Nothing from a jar!
Why is this important? It's because you need active enzymes and whole plant synergy to get the true benefits of garlic.
· Raw garlic contains two enzymes: allinn and alliinase. When you crush, mince or chop garlic, these enzymes combine to create the enzyme allicin. Allicin is the active medicinal ingredient in garlic that gives it those antibiotic, anti-cancer, antiviral and antioxidant properties.
· When you feed raw garlic you're getting highly effective whole plant medicine and nutrition. A plant's effectiveness doesn't come from the action of any single chemical. Garlic extracts don't provide the hundreds of chemical constituents working together as they do in a plant. For example, the Kyolic aged garlic extract that you can buy at health food stores doesn't contain any allicin.
Concerns When Using Garlic For Dogs
Garlic is safe for your dog when you feed it in appropriate amounts as I'll explain later. However, there are some cautions.
Pregnant Dogs
Always be cautious with any medicine or supplement for pregnant dogs. Consult your holistic veterinarian when feeding garlic to expectant mothers. Garlic also changes the taste of breast milk so avoid feeding it to nursing dogs.
Puppies
Don't give garlic to puppies under six months. Puppies eight weeks or less don't produce new red blood cells so never give them garlic. For puppies aged six months to a year, you can be cautious and feed half the regular dose.
Breed Specific Issues
Veterinary herbalist Susan Wynn warns against giving garlic to Akitas and Shiba Inus. These breeds are more sensitive to the hemolytic effects of oxidants such as N-propyl disulphide found in garlic. Consult your holistic vet if you have concerns about your dog's breed related risks.
Drug Interactions
Garlic can interact with several types of medications. Here's the short list:
· Immune suppressants
· Heart medications
· Chemotherapy drugs
· Blood thinners
· Insulin
· Antacids
· High blood pressure drugs.
Don't use garlic if your dog is on any of these drugs.
Since garlic affects blood clotting don't use it two weeks before any scheduled surgery.
Why Garlic Scares People
Conventional veterinarians panic when you tell them you're feeding garlic to your dog.
Don't do that – it'll kill her! is a typical response.
That's false.
Garlic related deaths are practically non-existent compared to the number of deaths that frequently-prescribed drugs like Rimadyl cause.
Here's an excerpt from Veterinary Pet Insurance's website:
“In general, garlic can be more concentrated than an onion, ” says Dr. Justine Lee, a veterinary emergency critical care specialist and author of two popular books on pets. “It's actually considered to be about 5X as potent as an onion.” Consider the rule of thumb when it comes to onion toxicity: Consumption of as little as 5 g/kg of onions in cats or 15 to 30 g/kg in dogs has resulted in clinically important hematologic changes. According to scientific studies, onion toxicosis is consistently noted in animals that ingest more than 0.5% of their body weight in onions at one time.* Since garlic is significantly more concentrated than an onion, an even smaller ingested amount will likely lead to toxicosis—as little as one clove of garlic can lead to toxicity in dogs and cats.”
Wow! That's quite a scary warning. My sixteen-year-old pug should have died when he was two.
Research Caused The Misunderstanding
The reason for this misleading information is that most research studies base their findings on the effects of garlic extracts, excessive dosages and unnatural delivery methods. Researchers rarely use fresh garlic for dogs because it's difficult to measure variances in whole plant medicine. Evidence-based research doesn't know what to do with the “food as medicine” paradigm.
One study in particular helped create garlic's reputation as a food that can harm your dog. This study by K W Lee et al fed 5 grams of garlic per kilo per day to the dogs.
That's an excessive amount. It means you'd need to feed about four full heads of garlic (or 60 cloves) to a 75 lb Golden Retriever, or 23 grams of garlic (6 to 8 cloves) to a 10 lb dog, before they'd experience any adverse effects.
Definitely don't feed this much!
Garlic contains thiosulphate, the chemical responsible for causing Heinz body hemolytic anemia. This type of anemia causes oxidative damage to red blood cells that shortens their life. Red blood cells oxygenate tissues. Hemolytic anemia causes a decrease in these cells, which can lead to sickness and even death. Symptoms of hemolytic anemia include diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, pale gums, rapid breathing and dark urine.
Want to avoid hemoytic anemia? Feed the right kind of garlic (by now you know that means fresh) and the correct dosage.
Proper dosages of raw garlic don't contain high levels of thiosulphate. Bone marrow continually produces red blood cells. This means your dog would have to receive an excessive dose over a long period of time – or an extremely large dose – to cause death.
How To Prepare Garlic For Dogs
Mixing allinn and alliinase forms allicin, the active medicinal ingredient in garlic.
Peel the cloves then mince, chop or crush your fresh garlic and let it sit 10 to 15 minutes before use. Allicin degrades quickly, so use the garlic immediately after the “sitting” period for maximum benefit. I measure and chop up my garlic and set my timer for 10 minutes. Measure out the right amount of garlic for your dog's body weight and mix it into her food.
How Much Garlic Should You Give Your Dog?
For consistency and exact dosing, I use a measuring spoon. Clove size differs so using cloves as a measurement is subject to interpretation.
Using a level measuring spoon, feed the following amount per day, according to your dog's weight.
5 lbs TM tsp
10 lbs â…“ tsp
15 lbs ½ tsp
20 lbs â…” tsp
30 lbs 1 tsp
I use garlic in the fall, winter and early spring, while some people use it all year. When feeding garlic for health, I recommend feeding garlic every other week. Work with your holistic practitioner to find the most effective garlic supplementation schedule for your individual dog.
A Last Word On Garlic For Dogs
Everything in nature can be toxic in certain amounts. Common salt can kill and so can water. Yes, garlic for dogs may be dangerous when fed improperly, but that shouldn't keep you from using it now that you know how to do it safely.
Don't think you can get the dosage right? Don't want to mince, chop or crush garlic throughout the week? Don't have time to let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before use?
Then don't feed garlic to your dog. It's that simple.
Theresa
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-Bobo-home/1409993732632080?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal
5 lbs - feed one sixth teaspoon
10 lbs - feed one third teaspoon
15 lbs - feed one half teaspoon
20 lbs - feed two thirds teaspoon
30 lbs - feed one teaspoon
Replied By Peter O. (England) on 03/11/2017
Replied By Faith (Ny) on 04/16/2017
Replied By Elle (Nc) on 04/21/2018
Replied By Arlene (Florida) on 12/08/2022
In February of this year I got another GS pup and of course I continued with the garlic tabs. Recently I saw him scratching a lot and I thought perhaps I should change his food and he does like to play in the dirt. I brush him everyday. I couldn't see any fleas so I didn't think much about it. The last few days he didn't seem right so yesterday I took him to the vet. Imagine my horror when vet said he has a major flea infestation and ticks and I was unable to see them because his coat is so thick. We had to wait a few minutes for the heartworm test and all I could think was he has heartworms if he has fleas and ticks. The garlic failed me. I was faithfully giving it to him everyday and extra because of the mosquito population in this area. Thank God he did not have heartworms. The vet shaved some of his fur off and placed it on a paper towel where I saw all these fleas and flea poop. OMG!
I had no choice but to put him on these heartworm pills. The treatment for heartworm is incredibly expensive and what the poor dog has to go thru is horrible and they might not survive. I read an article on Dr Mercola site that where garlic fails is that heartworm is in the blood not the digestive tract. In closing, garlic failed.