★☆☆☆☆
I used to give my dogs Brewers Yeast tablets with Garlic and 2 of the dogs ended up with anemia. The one dog passed away from it and the other dog was lucky enough to survive through it.
As far as my experience with giving dogs garlic, I would NEVER reccomend that anyone give their dogs garlic. The vet that owns the animal hospital that I took both of my anemic dogs to said that it was unheard of for someone to have 2 dogs become anemic shortly one right after another. Now I realize that giving the dogs so many garlic pills for fleas daily may have contributed to their medical problem. I have always regretted giving my dogs these pills and wish I knew then what I know now. My one dog may still be alive if I did.
Thanks,
Barb
Is It Safe?
★☆☆☆☆
My adult boxer ate two-thirds of a bag of treats made in part with garlic powder that were accidentally left on the counter and ended up in the ER with blood in his lungs and around his heart. He was having trouble breathing and was coughing and spitting up blood. He has runny stools, as well, and is (was - he's getting better) very lethargic. When first in the ER, it was believed his condition was some type of pulmonary edema until they began questioning whether he had gotten into any plant fertilizer, mouse poison, weed killer, garlic, onions. Bingo! Garlic flavored treats with garlic powder. In small doses, ie., one treat a day, two a day I'm sure it's fine, but the several ounces he ate could have killed him. We will from this point forward always check ingredients on all treats we give our dog to ensure garlic/onion and associated powders are not included. It concerns me that online I'm reading that so many people give their dogs garlic and companies sell products that contain garlic. We won't take that chance again.
Large quantities of Garlic can be harmful to you pet, but in MODERATION they should be fine. Owners should responsible enough to keep their pet's treats or anything that could be poisonous out of reach. It's just like any other thing in this world- EG; calcium is good for us, but too much can lead to calcium deposits on our bones. Too much of anything can be harmful. Garlic can be beneficial to a dog.
How come so many people believe garlic is bad for dogs? -Outside of the fact that they are related to the onion which is harmful to pets. Anywhere else online you say that you give your dog garlic and give you death threats. What's with all the misinformed people?
Is It Safe?
I agree about the companies that sell the flea meds spreading the rumors .If anyone that reads this would do me (and future pets and their owners) a favor and spread this news like a disease! Due to being unemployed at the moment and the fleas in Texas already out of control even after 3 good winter freezes I resorted to an "over the counter spot on" flea treatment for my 2 dogs. I won't mention brand partly because you can't on this site but mainly because THEY ARE ALL BAD! 1 day after applying this treatment to both my 8 lb chihuahua and my 100 lb Akita the Akita started acting lethargic.Within 3 hrs of me noticing her acting a little funny I could not get her to stand, eat, drink and she seemed to be drifting out of consciousness. I knew I needed to get her to the vet but I couldn't lift her and I live alone. It was 5:00 a.m. and I couldn't find anyone awake. Called the local fire station they refused to help. Finally an hour later my boyfriend woke up and I rousted my neighbor.They had to carry my baby out on a blanket.When we arrived at the emergency vet they immediately put her on oxygen and fluids. When I told them her symptoms they asked if I had applied any over the counter flea meds to her. I hadn't even thought of that being the problem. I was horrified! Within minutes I was told there was little hope that she would live. I was hysterical but pulled myself together enough to go lie with her on the floor of the E.R. and hug her and apologize to her for forcing her to sit still as I applied the stuff that would kill her. I held her as they put her to sleep. I hugged her until her heart stopped beating. I weep as I'm writing this as it happened just a week ago.She was a 3 yr old beautiful, sweet, smart, strong and loyal 100 lb Akita .I nursed her through Parvo at 8 weeks old. She was a fighter and this poison in a tube being sold everywhere snuffed out her life too soon. Tell everyone you know this stuff is HORRIBLE! I am so lucky it didn't kill my other dog. When I returned from the vet I washed him like 4 times much to his dismay. Needless to say I am on the hunt for flea treatments that work without risking your dogs health.I am terrified to use anything now. Thanks in advance for taking time to read this. Allison
Is It Safe?
I have 2 one year old Shih-Tzus. They both have the Shih-Tzu skin problems. I used to like giving garlic to the dogs but was told it was bad for them. Now I am totally confused. How do you give the dogs garlic without them spitting it out?? I mixed garlic powder in their rice while I cook it. I have seen garlic pills. Can they have those?? They are in the vitamin isle at the store. How do you decide how much they can have. Both of my boys are around 11 pounds. My poor bebies are going nuts with them on them. We have used bathes, Bio-Spot (which was useless) Baking soda bathes and now we are seeing them run and hide even if we go to the bathroom for our own use. If garlic is safe then I want to use that. They are our babies and we hate seeing them so agitated. What amount is good? Why not powder?? Isn't that just dried garlic?? The capsules?? How much is good for them? Thanks.
Is It Safe?
The same japanese scientists who learned that "garlic" damages canine blood cells also claim it is positive for cardiac and immune health.
What damages cells is not thiosulphate but a disulfide that is part of thiosulphate.
The missing enzyme in dogs is g6pd and it neutralizes the disulfide.
Guess what - about 1 in 12 humans have the same problem (me for one). Garlic does the same to us as it does to dogs. In my case it causes me to feel crappy if I eat too much. G6pd deficiency is one of the most common deficiencies among humans.
Dogs have no g6pd so disulfide damages the blood cells and they are eliminated by the spleen. The bone marrow replaces these cells. If you feed the dog too much disulfide and it injures more blood cells than the bone marrow can replace, anemia results.
This disulfide by-product of thiosulphate is an "oxidant" and "anti-oxidants" will neutralize them just like g6pd does. Stuff like vitamin E are anti-oxidants so if you include them in the dog diet they should prevent harm from disulfide.
Just so you know I only use the word "vet" because it is easier to say than "unlicensed taxidermist" - which in my opinion is what most vets are.
Further I am not a scientist - I learned this stuff just researching on the net.
You should do the same.
So I think the best thing is to make sure the dog gets anti-oxidants (either in food or a supplement) and start out with VERY SMALL doses of garlic. Increase it little by little and see if the dog tolerates it okay. If the dog shows any signs of trouble with a small dose STOP.
It takes a few days for disulfide to damage blood cells, so unless the dog has some kind of other problem it shouldn't harm them right away - like stories I've heard of a dog eating some garlic and getting sick an hour later.
Like I said I have a g6pd deficiency - I don't like raw or cooked onion because they POISON me - but my mother MADE me eat onion when I was a kid. If your dog doesn't like garlic BE CAREFUL. Onion tasted vile to me when I was kid so if garlic repels your dog be careful.
One of my dogs had a hemorrhage and his tongue turned white before he died - you can tell if a dog is anemic by checking the color of the tongue.
Don't take my (or anyone else's) word for it - do your own research.
Infection
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Garlic (__________) cured a bad infection in my dog, 2 capsules at night the infection and swelling was gone by morning. I used the ____ garlic supplement and contunue to give it to her daily. She is a 65lb pit bull that I use to think was allergic to fleas but since she is now flea free, she continues to scratch herself w/her back legs till she tears open the skin, I have an e-collar on her to keep her from chewing holes in her skin but now she uses her back feet and did considerable damage, her neck was dripping blood w/a huge knot the size of an avacado it was so infected I almost took her to the emergency pet hospital but decided to clean it up w/peroxide and neem oil then give her 2 capsules of the ___ garlic extract instead and glad I did because the infection and swelling was gone by morning, I continue to give it to her and even give her fresh garlic when I have it but it has not had any ill effects on her and she does not smell or have foul breath, she scratches lightly every now and again but not to the effect that she was so I will try to take the e-collar off her and see how she does, I also use the neem oil as a flea repellant, it must be working, her bald spots are filling in again.
I would look into the ingredients in your dogs food. It sounds like a food allergy to me. A lot of dogs are allergic to the different grains that are put into commercial dog foods..
Skin
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Garlic has been great for my 10 lb., 4 1/2 yr. old Shih Tzu/Poodle mix. I rescued Charlie nearly two years ago. When originally rescued by the rescue group, he was covered in oozing, bleeding hot spots. The poor little guy is highly allergic to flea bites and has a host of allergy problems. The crap on the market that passes for anti-flea and tick medicine that you place between the dog's shoulder blades was costing me a fortune; I applied the medication twice per month and he would have a flea on him 2-3 days later. He was on prednisone to relieve the horrible itching and scratching. He really suffered (and so did I, because I couldn't figure out what to do to help him). In March, I started feeding him one clove of garlic in his daily, evening meal (minced through a garlic press and stirred into his dog food). It's mid July and my sweetie has had no fleas or horrible scratching problems. Okay, he still scratches occasionally (like I said, he has plenty of allergy problems), but believe me, he doesn't have a hot spot on him and he is one healthy and happy dog.
Charlie also had very highly-concentrated, yellow urine (doctor tests him regularly and has found no problem) - he said some dogs have stronger smelling urine than others. Charlie's urine was really strong. After 4 1/2 months of being on garlic, Charlie's urine no longer has that foul odor to it. AMAZING!
This is exactly my retrievers problem. I would adore one of her pups but cos of allergies I was thinking we wouldn't be able to breed her as when pregnant she could have the prednisolone. And I hate to think of how uncomfortable she would be. I was thinking about rubbing a garlic paste on her tummy but now thinking of the glove.
Dosage
I have two dogs. A Black Lab (115 lbs) and a Rhodesian Ridgeback Boxer (55 lbs). I have been reading about giving the dogs garlic protection from fleas, ticks and mosquitos. Can I give them garlic pills rather than garlic? They are very picky eaters and I know they won't like the garlic in their food. If I give them the pills, what would the dosage be? How often would I give them the pills? What would be the best pills to buy? I use the orderless garlic softgels (10mg, equivalent to 1000mg of fresh garlic. My friend gives her lab 300mg (1 X daily) Kyolic Garlic. Can I use these? I do not want to use Frontline or Advantage for the fleas and I have not heard a lot of good things regarding Heart Guard for heartworms. I try to stay away from all the chemicals I can for myself and would prefer to do the same for my dogs. (I also have a twenty pound cat, too, that showed up at my door one day. Can I give her garlic too?) So any advise anyone would have regarding garlic or anything else natural would be appreciated. Thank you!
Debbie/Ca. Any thing can become toxic if taken too often. I would never suggest any pet taking the (fake) garlic "Salt". Rry a small piece of fresh garlic every other day maybe a week(?). Then stop for a week or more. It takes time for our bodies as well as pets to digest any thing unfamiliar, and not so easily digested. But again I intend to proceed with caution very, very slowly.
Good Luck...
Dosage
Would appreciate more info on garlic oil for 115 lb lab and 55 lb boxer.
Fleas and Ticks
I just discovered that my 160 lb rottie/chow mix has ticks! I've always heard that garlic will keep them from getting worms, and it only makes sense, that ticks would not like the flavor, either. The products like Frontline, etc. are so expensive! I am going to start putting garlic powder in his food. I found that after he got neutered, and had to take pain pills, that if I put the pill inside a big dollop of peanut butter, I had no problem getting him to take the pills. I think I'll try it with fresh garlic, I cannot bare to live with gross ticks! I've had him for 6 years, and we have never had fleas or ticks, I think they must be coming from my new neighbor's dogs. I also bought some organic flea/tick dip, I'm going to give that a try, too. Has anyone had success with fresh garlic to keep ticks off their dog?
FYI: I've read that garlic is ok for dogs but onions are not as they contain a substance that can be very harmful for dogs.
Is It Safe?
garlic is in the onion family and onions are toxic to dogs. they can cause hemolytic anemia (basically kills red blood cells). my dog had hemolytic anemia and it is no joke! a blood tranfusion and thousands of dollars in vet bills to get her better. she is a shih-tzu mix and I have heard shih-tzus are especially predisposed to h.a.
Did you even read the article? Onions and garlic are related but have an considerable difference in thiosulphate. Did you feed your dog onions or garlic? I supose there could be different veriteties of garlic that could have different levels of thiosulphates, depending on the level oh sulphates in the dirt and disposition from onions. Just a small dose will go a long way with dogs, so don't go feeding them a bulb of garlic a day. Unless they "yo quedo taco bell".
Fleas and Ticks
I'm feeding raw with great success. I'm going to add some garlic to the pups breakfast now. I also use beneficial nematodes to protect against fleas. 3 years ago had the worst infestation - in the HOUSE!!! No problems since using the beneficial nematodes, which also take care of many other pests attacking home & critters!
Fleas and Ticks
I just wanted to add to this excellent post that beneficial predatory nematodes may also be very helpful to keep flea population down in grass yards. Also cedar granules may be very effective as well.
Fleas and Ticks
That is awesome and true about vets.. I want to go all natural with my pet. Starting using garlic today. Where did you get all your info? A holistic vet or a website? Thanks
Parasites
My 1 yo Carolina Dog / American Dingo (Cooter) has been scratching almost since I got him at 7 1/2 weeks. I didn't notice the scratching until after I used a rx flea med on him. I have tried everything for the itching! he was diagnosed with demoditic mites and was treated and follow up was negative for them. but he's still scratching, and biting himself. I would love to quit the rx flea/worm meds and start him on garlic, BUT I almost lost my last dog to heartworms ( which are really bad here in east TN). Is the garlic also a preventivive for heartworms?( I know they r caused by mosquitos which are really bad here too) I have already switched him to a commercial grain-free dry food, tea tree oil & sulfa shampoos, leave in conditioner, ointments, a round each of antibiotics & steroids, human allergy med -which only made him sleepy- not necessarily in that order! And still he scratches & bites himself all over! he weighs about 35 lbs, how much garlic & how often, raw/fresh or dried? Any other ideas????Help!He's driving himself & my family crazy!
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Update on my CD/AD Cooter and Garlic! I have been using a grocery store brand dried minced garlic in Cooter's food at every meal. I only use a very small amount, about 1/8 tsp mixed in his food. He eats twice a day. I switched him to a holistic vet in Knoxville and made her aware that I used the garlic. She searched him for fleas or flea debris and could not find even a trace of a flea or tick! She has concurred with the amount I'm giving him,and that it is totally working but did remind me of the negative publicity about garlic, just in case! It is now mid-June here in East Tennessee, and the air is full of gnats, flies, mosquitoes and fleas & ticks abound! I have not seen a single one of any of these on Cooter except to buzz by and move on!!!! So My Answer is a resounding YEA! I even started adding garlic to the meats I cook for the Human part of the family, and even though I am usually a mosquito MAGNET, I have only had 2-3 bites this whole year, despite spending alot of time outside in mosquitoY conditions!!!!
Dosage
I have a question. I have a 50 lb Shepard mutt and a 25 lb Corgi. How much fresh garlic should I be giving them to keep them worm-free? Do I do it every day or a few days each month? What is the recommendation here?
I have read on some of the veterinary sites on the internet that things like garlic and onions can actually kill a dog. The explanation is that dogs cannot deal with some of the chemicals in these and these chemicals will combine with the dogs red blood cells preventing them from carrying oxygen. I think they have the same problem with the oxalic acid in chocolate.
You might want to research this carefully before you give your dog garlic.
EC: Please read Lisa S. Newman's article for more information: https://www.earthclinic.com/pets/garlic_for_dogs.html#ARTICLE
Parasites
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my gran used to breed dogs for crufts many years ago, she told me she never brought flea or worm products but used cloves of garlic chopped up and put with the dog food once a month,i was dubious about this old wives tale, but there is always an element of truth in the old tales, ive tried garlic on my four dogs, ages ranging fom 16 down to 5 months, they are all healthy, havent seen no fleas or worms, im a believer.
Both my four year old mutts are allergic to flea bites and will scratch and bite themselves raw. I simply give them one small raw clove of garlic daily and coat it in cream cheese or stuffed in a piece of steak and in three days or less, poof, everything is back to normal. The mosquitoes and bugs leave them along too!
Fleas and Ticks
How much garlic powder do you use in dogs food? Is an eight of a teaspoon of garlic powder enough, too little? I have a female beagle, Lilie. She was an inside only dog, for a while until beginning of this summer actually. And I now know why I have kept her an inside dog. fleas! And I would like to stick with home remedies for many reasons. I just may, make her inside dog again.
Fleas and Ticks
Hey Brianna!
If this were my dog I would give her good flea bath, follow it up with a vinegar rinse and then keep her inside. I am sure she is much happier inside than outside.
Fleas and Ticks
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I have been using garlic tablets for about a week and fleas are still on them... how long does it take to start working?
Is It Safe?
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Recent research sets the LD50 (lethal dose at which 50% of subjects die) of garlic in dogs at approximately 5 grams per Kg.
So the dog who got sick from eating a whole bulb of garlic may have gotten a dangerous amount if the bulb was 50 grams like the ones I buy and the dog was 10 kg or so (22 lbs). Smart per owners will keep all medicines, natural or not, in a safe storage.
That being said, much valid research seems to indicate nothing but good effects from a clove of garlic a day for dogs (use Google Scholar to search for and see all the papers on the web). For tiny dogs a tiny piece is likely all that is needed.
My Thai Dog puppy loves garlic, but as he only weighs 12 Kg at 5 months old, one clove a day is all he gets. The vet says he looks great and tests show no intestinal worms.
Skin
★★★★★
I have 4 cocker spaniels. Anyone who has had cockers knows they have ear problems. Also they are prone to skin conditions. I had 2 previous cockers one that skin condition so bad at 8 years old.........she got so sick and died. The other I spent a fortune on medications again and lived to 7. I bought a very healthy male and female at 6 weeks old. Waited to make sure they had no skin or health problems. Of course they were on otomax every other month That's the ear thing. We breed them and had a litter of pups. We kept 2 of them. One of them has severe ear and skin problems. All of a sudden the Mom started the skin problem. Again vet bills on medications. I have changed food so many times figuring allergy. I finally went to a no-grain dog food. The ears and skin cleared up , but it kept reacurring every couple months. I finally did 2 days of searching on the internet. They are still on the no grain dog food........but, I am adding a teaspoon of chopped garlic packed in water to their dinner meal. Also a few squirts of flaxseed oil, and a little powdered Acidophilis. We keep treating a condition and not getting to the root!!! After 4 days.and a bath 2x a week with Selsum blue shampoo. my baby that has had problems all her life (3 years) does not scratch any more. great skin and coat. and no more bad ears!!!! The other three have had same diet and they are amazingly more happy and active. They don't scratch anymore either!!! I know it's the garlic!!! It is the best natural medication there is!!!! They all weight about 20 pounds each..........and for 3 weeks now.no side effects except i can sleep with out my bed shaking from dogs scratching , licking feet and shaking their heads!
Fleas and Ticks
★★★★★
I had been having trouble with ticks on my cocker spaniel. We started giving her one garlic pill everyday and we have not had any more tick issues. The only way she will take it is if I hide the pill in a small piece of banana. If the banana is too firm, she will break it and spit out the pill. So be sure it is a ripened banana.
What kind of garlic pills do you give your dog? I know you can't say the brand but are they solid pills or oil and what mg??????
Fleas and Ticks
How many mg is the garlic pill? I can only find 1000 mg. Is that too much? I have a 15lb dog.
Fleas and Ticks
I have 9 dogs. 6 of them weight over 50lbs and the other 3 are 2 min. Yorkies and one min. Dachshund. I've been having a flea problem for a year now. I spent fortunes on all kinds of flea prevention and tried almost EVERYTHING there is. It got better but the fleas are still there. 2 days ago I started giving them garlic pills. 1 for each of the large dogs and 1/2 for the small ones. I also have 5 cats and give them 1/2 each. But it is a fight and hassle to make them eat the pills. After reading this blog, it seems to me that fresh garlic is better than the pills, but I can't just throw in their food 'cause they won't eat it. Does anyone know a dog-treat I could make and put the garlic in there so they will eat it? My cats already had tapeworms because of the fleas. I got rid of those but since the fleas are still there it will only be a matter of time until they get the worms again. I would really appreciate any suggestion on how I can give my cats and dogs the garlic.
★★★★★
We make the garlic for the dogs part of the stuffing that we use for their tire biters and kongs. It's a mix of pumpkin, squash, plain yogurt, and sometimes peanutbutter (sounds appetizing, doesn't it?). My little guy caught on, so we mixed it with some wet food cat food and he's none the wiser. You could probably do that for your cats too. If you need to get rid of worms again, try using diatamcious earth.
EC: Please read the warnings about using pool grade diatomaceous earth for pets here: https://www.earthclinic.com/pets/ear_mites.html#DIATOMACEOUSEARTH
Fleas and Ticks
Avoid the cat food; dogs love it but it is very bad for them (and vice versa). I boil some offal, it is very healthy for dogs, I add no seasoning, grind it up fine in the food grinder and add it to the base as a meat treat. However, you may be surprised to find that many dogs, including my 13 love the taste of garlic! Good luck!
Fleas and Ticks
★★★★★
I have been feeding my dogs garlic for years. I just put it on top of the food in the diced form or cook it with meat. I always cook meat for them even though raw is supposedly better. I have also always used tumeric too to prevent inflammation, adding herbs last to the cooking process. I am still really fighting parasites. I think I have more of a problem than my dog. I bathe my dog pretty frequently but plan to bathe him more. I will also try cloves and cayenne. My chiropractor told me to drink cider vinegar water daily. I also was curious about the chewing tobacco deal. Thanks for this site. It is very informative.
