The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Is It Safe?
Posted by Helen (Aldergrove, Canada) on 11/13/2007
★☆☆☆☆
Just a little warning about using garlic as a flea remedy: in large amounts garlic and onion can cause anemia in dogs by interfering with normal hemoglobin production. I've heard that garlic can work on fleas, but found that it only upset my puppy's stomach and gave her garlic scented farts (nasty!). Later on I read (National Geographic, among other sources) that it can interfere with hemoglobin production and should be avoided - though onions are worse for this.
Is It Safe?
Posted by Margaret (Bradford, UK) on 11/11/2007
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We have two belgian shepherd dogs, both rescues. Katie is 7 years old and we have had her for 5 years. Claude is 5 years and we had hm from being a puppy. We have mostly fed them on home cooked food (always with Garlic and veg (not tomatoes). We have NEVER had fleas or worms (much to the distress of our vet on annual vet visits). We also give them a couple of Marrow bones (marrow bones only). Their helath and teeth are like puppies. The vet is always amazed. We also have two rescue cats one in now 12 years old and both have a similar diet to the dogs. Both are ful of fun and healthy and vermin free! All our other animals ov er the last 47 years lived long and healthy lives dying only of old age and having had the same diets
Is It Safe?
Posted by Marilyn (Bloomfield, New Jersey) on 10/31/2007
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My dog (shepard/pit mix) was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma when she was 51/2 yrs old. This is a cancer that forms in the lining of the blood vessels and is known to affect the spleen and heart. At this time, there is no known cure. The condition started inside her nose and was making its way toward the brain. The veterinarian gave her 5 wks to live but instead she lived for 22 months. No medication was prescribed and I believe that she lived that long due to a diet consisting of vitamins, steamed vegetables with chicken and fish and 1 clove of garlic with every meal. (She was 60 lbs at the time) Her coat became very shiny and soft,(not to mention she stopped shedding), she was exhibiting energy and was even found with normal blood values even though her condition condemned her to anemia. Unfortunately she lost her battle to the cancer as it eventually made it's way to the brain. While some state that garlic is dangerous, used correctly and in moderation, it will demonstrate homeopathic properties. Given what I know and what I've experienced, I intend to continue using it with my future canine companions and support its use in moderation.
Is It Safe?
Posted by Joey (Las Vegas, NV) on 10/25/2007
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Sorry to bust everyone's bubble, but I have been feeding my dog a heaping teaspoon of crushed garlic twice-a-day with his dry food for 10 years. I took him to a new vet a few months ago. He guessed his age as FIVE. My dog loves it. He is in perfect health and I believe garlic is one of the things that has kept him young. He's now 10 years 7 months. Then again I also feed him 2000 mg of MSM a day, a multi vitamin, glucosmine/condorotin (spell check please) and water soluble silver and minerals. I don't buy into what the so-called experts say. I go by what my experience teaches me. And I think garlic has been GREAT for him. In fact, he very rarely gets sick and I don't use any poison flea control crap that the vets push on you or vaccinations that can ruin his immune system. He's a Sheltie Mix and his coat is gorgeous. And I predict he'll live to at least 20. All animals can live longer lives through correct supplementation.
Is It Safe?
Posted by Sarah (West Chester, Pennsylvania) on 10/22/2007
★☆☆☆☆
I was giving my Belgian Sheepdog less than the the manufacturer's recommended dosage of garlic. I wanted an alternative for the control of parasitic insects. The garlic caused my dog to get an ulcer which ruptured his stomache - He died. There may not be scientific data to say garlic is not safe - but it wans't safe for my dog. I still search for the right balance between natural and pharmaseutical. Everthing and anything we give can have a concequence. I have to live with the fact that by trying to help my dog I killed him.
Is It Safe?
Posted by Mary MD (Binghamton, USA) on 06/10/2008
Sorry you lost your dog. It sounds to me though that there is no definitive proof that it was the garlic which caused the ulcerations in his stomach. So, please don't blame yourself. Dogs which have never been fed garlic get stomach ulcers. It's true that massive amounts of garlic
can be an anticoagulant thus thinning the blood, but so can aspirin and ibuprofen in humans if taken in large amounts. I doubt it was the garlic regardless of what your vet said. I've given my dog and cats garlic for years without any adverse effects. Recently I took in a stray mother cat with mastitis and a softball sized ulcer on her underbelly. If left outside she would have died from infection, but she didn't. I gave her 3/4 tsp of garlic daily for 2 weeks and she recovered completely. The large gaping wound closed, and she is healthy and happy. Garlic is a strong antibacterial and antiviral agent.
Is It Safe?
Posted by Denise (Corrolitos, Ca) on 10/13/2007
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I have appreciated the comments on earthclinic in regards to dogs and garlic. I was raised with dogs eating garlic to prevent or rid them of worms and fleas.I ended up terribly concerned at the sudden rash of information this is harmful to my dogs as no one would want to intentionally cause illness or death of a beloved pet. my dogs are sisters now three years old they had been eating garlic powder since 6 months I am certain it rid them of worms They eat canned food mixed with dry and water or broth with what would be a reasonable amount of garlic POWDER ie: suitable for a pet parents taste. I had stopped feeding them the powder for awhile gravely concerned for their health. Suddenly I noticed duller coats, itching ,fleas and a brief return of' hinny draging (worms) after this I returned them to the seasoning amount of garlic powder behold shinner coats less flea annoyance and no worms. I spoke to pet food providers asking about tomatoes since their brand of dog food contained tomatoes I was told the tomatoes in the food are not harmful to dogs since they are powdered. Last I can say Im not feeding my dogs tomatoes (too much acid) but Im keeping my eyes open and tolerating my garlic powder kisses.
Is It Safe?
Posted by Cheryl (WAPAKONETA, Ohio) on 10/12/2007
★☆☆☆☆
In this month's(October 2007) issue of National Geographic on Pet threats, Garlic is listed as a no-no. According to NG, "garlic breaks down a dogs red blood cells, leading to anemia and possible kidney failure from leaking hemoglobin"
Is It Safe?
Posted by Dean (Los Angeles, California) on 09/30/2007
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I have cooked chicken breasts or whole chickens for my Samoyeds for many years. They do not eat canned dog food or dry dog food. I have always sprinkled garlic while cooking their meals. They get steamed long grain brown rice as well in the mix. I just saw on a morning show that you shouldn't give your dog garlic (I think it was the Today Show). Now I'm worried, I've fed them garlic for years, do I stop now? They are 11 and 12 and in excellent health and very playful. People always think they are pups. I have the vet check their blood yearly and nothing has ever come back bad but I've never asked her about garlic, I will when I return home but in the meantime. Now that this show mentioned chocolate and garlic in the same breath as bad, I'm concerned. I also sprinkle 1500mg of glucosimine daily in their food. Is there a study of if the dogs are always fed garlic and then what happens if it is just pulled from their diet all together? thanks.
Is It Safe?
Posted by trixie (portland, OR) on 09/21/2007
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I feed my dog Nutro Natural with glucosamine and chondroitin. She is 12 and has always been super healthy. In the past year, she has started to become quite a picky eater and her sister-dog usually gets to her food before she does. I recently started to add just a small pinch of garlic powder to her food and she eats it right up. It hasn't caused any side- effects and it ensures she gets the correct daily dosage of food (and our other dog does, too!)
Is It Safe?
Posted by Lou (NY, NY) on 09/13/2007
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Been feeding my chihuahua raw garlic (1 clove)and some powered garlic (aged) 3x a week for YEARS! He's 9 years old. And he gets a one mile walk every day for exercise. I thank God for his health, that he has never been to the vet for any problems!
Is It Safe?
Posted by Jermin Bautista (Caloocan, Philippines) on 09/02/2007
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I fed my dog his regular dinner (Dog food) tonight. I'm using royal canin for adult. my chihuahua is a 1 yr and a half and a bit picky on dog foods so I decided to sprinkle a small amount of a regular McKormic Garlic. He ate it in a minute and even went repeatedly back to his food dish for more. I think garlic is good for your dogs but just don't feed it' in large amounts. thus, if parasites hate it then its a natural way to prevent it.anything that is too much is BAD. i believe you shoud be avoiding chocolates and sweets for your dogs including nuts rather than Garlic. Its a ntural Herb and those sites that indicate garlic is bad is all wrong.some dogs were fed heavy on garlic, some maybe had food allergies, some had just blamed garlic on their already diseased dogs. If it's poisonous then every dog will die in just a pinch of garlic. It's just common sense. And to end this up, Garlic is safe in good amounts (According to your dog's weight, allergy tests.
Is It Safe?
Posted by kath7777 (TampaBay, FL) on 06/23/2009
While I am grateful for all of this information; I must add: I've spent most of today, cleaning up after my poor Boston Terrier, because my husband (innocently) gave him too much chicken from his Chinese Garlic chicken with broccoli, last night. Poor Georgie is suffering, and it's not his fault, what happened to the carpet, while he was home, alone! He's not only got diarrhea, but he looks like he's straining with a bad stomach ache, while he's outside, 'going'. All my furbabies love their dry kibbles (they get good ones), and good canned food, as well...Don't know if there's a difference with the specific garlic; but we'll never give our precious Georgie any more of our Chinese food, that's for sure!
Is It Safe?
Posted by Farideh (Reston, VA) on 06/23/2009
Most chinese restaurants add MSG to the food too, don't forget. I can't believe it was the garlic that would cause the diarrhea.We give our dogs garlic all the time and never have problems.
Is It Safe?
Posted by Tina (Boothbay, Maine) on 03/29/2010
It was probably the MSG in the Chinese food that made your dog sick
Is It Safe?
Posted by Lena (Vienna, Austria) on 08/16/2007
★★★★★
I have been giving garlic to my 8 yrs old golden for the last 7 yrs. Never raw - as it is rather sharp, however I always added it to his chicken of beef stew and once soft meshed it in his food. Every time I go to the vet or we are in the dog park I get compliments for how-well cared the dog is. Mac looks and feels great (thanks for the part that he gets good home cooked food - and no processed commercial dry food). I think garlic helps me keep Mac healthy and happy. I find it so sweet that sometimes he has this typical-human garlic breath in the morning! This is indeed - the only side effect!
Is It Safe?
Posted by Anne (Chicago, Illinois) on 08/02/2007
★☆☆☆☆
This is in reply to a recent post about feeding dogs and cats garlic. Garlic and onions, both members of the allium family, are toxic to dogs and cats -- even if the garlic and onions are cooked. As yet it is not known what level is toxic. Please google to find the warnings and there are many.
Here's an excerpt from just one recent article about this:
http://www.edmondsun.com/features/local_story_205114633.html
"Some pets can develop a liking to the flavor or the aroma and become intoxicated.
"They contain an organosulfur compound that causes the toxicosis and is readily absorbed through the GI tract in pets. Cooking does not reduce the potential toxic effects unfortunately.
"The toxic mechanism of the onion involves oxidation or breakdown of the red blood cells. This, of course, results in a decrease in the oxygen carrying capacity of the red blood cells. Ultimately there is an impaired delivery of oxygen to the tissues due to a severe anemia, or lack of red blood cells....
"Signs usually appear within a 24-hour period of consumption, but may occur out several days. Pets seem depressed, have shortness of breath, a rapid heart beat, seem weak and show intolerance to exercise and to cold. They may go off their food, have abdominal pain, diarrhea and their breath may smell of garlic....
"Whether or not your pet survives will depend upon how quickly supportive care and correction of the physiologic problems occurs. Stopping the source of exposure of course is a must, and getting a good and quick diagnosis is essential.
An excerpt from another link: http://www.petsbynature.com/Garlic.htm "In the last five years, more and more toxicity studies are being conducted on garlic and all seem to indicate that it, too, can pose serious health risks when fed to cats and dogs.
Is It Safe?
Posted by Sara (Alabama) on 05/06/2018
I appreciate your concerns about garlic but I have done EXTENSIVE research on this matter and it has been proven that garlic in dogs (I do not know about cats) can be helpful in dogs. Also the amount you have to give a dog to be harmful is extremely HIGH almost impossible. Something like 20 raw cloves a day. There are charts on various sites that tell the amount based on weight I give both my lad and pit raw garlic every other day and it has helped with worms and skin issues including mites. So I encourage all to research and read available information. This is something that is very inexpensive easily available that can help your pet if you have limited funds.
Worms
Posted by Jessa (Stuart Fl) on 02/06/2017
Thanks to your grandma!!! My dad, also a hardcore Italian, keeps telling me the same about the garlic!! He used to breed dogs as well. My cat got worms last year. I gave her deworming medicine but my dad told me to give the dog a clove just in case he had it too. Well fast forward a year my dog, a Cavalier King Charles, Has worms. I called my dad immediately Because the vet's office is closed at this time. He says, no worry my sweetheart just give the dog garlic. He came over opened up some garlic and shoved a whole clove right down my dogs throat!! 😬 I don't know if I'm gonna be able to do that too but I'll give it a try. I'm just praying that this fixes him without having the expensive bill! Thanks for your story, it helped quite a bit!
Is It Safe?
Posted by Zoe (USA) on 06/26/2007
★★★★★
Hi, in answer to many garlic-for-dogs questions, here's what a holistic veteranarian told me, about a week ago: a small amount of garlic has many benefits for dogs. A dog of ten pounds can eat up to a HALF a clove a day, and a large dog can eat a whole clove a day, with no adverse effects. But NO more than that! For the person with the 7.5 pound chihuahau, i'd go with a quarter clove, just to be on the safe side. I personally also use a bit of garlic powder in my dog's homemade dog food, just for flavor. Check the ingredients before you buy any particular brand. Btw, i also use baby food veggies, and Earth's Best brand is free of any onions in many flavors. The green beans, peas, and carrots have no onion. They're just the veggie and water. Everything's organic. Just check the label to be sure, or check out their website. Other than that, i use brown rice, a meat source, eggs, vegetable oil, kidney beans, TUMS (no vitamin D added, and unflavored) for calcium, and top everything off with a doggie multi-vitamin. I sometimes add cheese, as well. Not processed cheese food, but real cheese. I have one very healthy, happy dog!
Is It Safe?
Posted by Sue (Cobb, California) on 06/20/2007
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Just heard the report recently regarding Do Not Give your dogs Garlic... Well! I've been giving Max my 8 year old cocker spaniel garlic every day of his life. I prepare his food each week and add approximately 2-3 cloves of crushed garlic for taste. He is a very healthy, robust 8 year old. So I have to refute this finding.
