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 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
★★★★★
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
★★★★★
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
★★★★★
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
★★★★★
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
★★★★★
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
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!
Fleas and Ticks
Posted by Tom (Providence, RI) on 04/14/2007
★★★★★
I have given each of my two dogs (retriever family, 2 and 5 yo) a clove of freshly pressed garlic every day in their dinner. They are never sick. They do Not have fleas and I DO NOT USE commercial flea/tick products which are carcinogenic and neurotoxins, and the dogs are doing great. I have not had their red blood count tested and perhaps I should. Another ? for the holistic vet I guess.
Is It Safe?
Posted by Carlos (Concord, California) on 04/05/2007
★★★★★
My Rottweiler eats daily 4 (abundant) cups of rice, lamb and vegetables dry food, sprinkled with garlic powder and a few drops of olive oil. He will be 10 next month and still jumps 4 feet up to the top of his house! He weighs a healthy 105 pounds.
Is It Safe?
Posted by C. (USA) on 04/04/2007
★★★★★
I have made a dog food treat for years for my 4 dogs. I mix garlic powder, rice, chicken broth and chicken liver and a tiny bit of canola oil. They never have fleas and always have great blood tests. I have recently read that it causes anemia and am concerned, but my dogs have great blood at 12 years old, so I find that hard to believe they have about 1/2 cup of the above treat daily. I told my vet about the treat and all he said is use low sodium chicken broth. I'm going to ask him again about the garlic. My cat has a tiny bit also nightly. They all love it.
General Feedback
Posted by Jonathan Shiloka (USA) on 05/26/2005
★★★★★
Garlic is a broad spectrum antibiotic, destroying both gram-positive and gram negative bacteria. Unlike chemical antibiotics that kill off the millions of friendly bacteria that your body needs, Garlic only kills the bad guys and even promotes and increases your healthy bacteria. It is also a very potent, anti-viral which really makes it a specific for colds, influenza and upper respiratory infections. Garlic is also a powerful anti-fungal and literally destroys any antigen, pathogen and any harmful or disease causing micro-organism that can hurt you.
Garlic contains at least 200 different compounds, many of which are said to be useful for dogs. Garlic lowers blood pressure, accelerates the breakdown of waste matter from cells, and may even act as a mild flea repellent. Horseradish is a potent herb for the sinus and lungs. It opens up the sinus passages and increases the circulation there, where, most doctors agree, the common cold and influenza often starts. Cayenne and Ginger are like a blast to your body's circulation. This powerful tag team will unblock anything, anywhere! So just imagine, you have the two strongest herbs to kill EVERY germ known and the three most powerful herbs to blast them around your entire body. Apple Cider Vinegar helps maintain healthful blood sugar levels that are already in the normal range in the body. Apple Cider Vinegar also helps to kill Germs, Viruses, Molds & Bacteria.
Some Internal Benefits are improved digestion & assimilation, relieves arthritis & stiffnes, removes artery plaque and helps remove body toxins. A few external benefits are promoting a youthful body, helps maintain healthy skin, helps prevent dandruff, baldness and balances scalp pH, and soothes tight, and aching muscles & joints.
Dosage: 1-4 dropperfuls in a shot glass. First timers may want to mix this dosage half an d half with water. Whether you dilute it or take it straight, gargle with it for a minute and then swallow.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN
1. Start this Procedure on the NEW Moon.
2. Take 1 part - FRESH chopped ORGANIC Garlic Cloves (Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Fungal, Anti-Viral and Anti-Parasitic), 1 part - FRESH grated Ginger Root (Circulation - Extremities), 1 part - FRESH grated Horseradish Root (Circulation - Head), and 1 part - FRESH chopped Cayenne Peppers (HOTTEST Habenero available - Super Blood Stimulant). NOTE: Part EQUALS Volume, NOT Weight in this Tincture Method. Use a Blender to chop up each of the Ingredients VERY FINE!
3. Find a Glass Jar large enough and fill it 3/4 FULL with these Ingredients.
4. Fill the Glass Jar to the Top with RAW Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (_______'s or Spectrum Naturals).
5. Let it sit until the FULL Moon (15-16 Days) or the NEXT NEW Moon (28-29 Days - OPTIMAL).
6. Shake it as MANY times during the Day as possible.
7. Top it off with MORE Vinegar, when NEEDED.
8. Strain this Mixture through an UNBLEACHED Coffee Filter.
9. Take at least 1 oz. 3 times per day (drink, add to food or Squirt directly in mouth), when your Dog has a Any Virus(careful not to touch mouth of dog or person while squirting medicine in mouth so-as not to cross-contaminate.
General Feedback
Posted by Heather (Somervlle, AL, USA) on 03/22/2009
I heard of this remedy that It would get rid of worms and fleas, and prevent them. I have a 8th month old German Shepherd and recently I found worms In his bowel movemont. I gave him about 2oz of garlic juice with his dog food. He had no problem eating It to my suprise. It's been about a day since and I'll give him more for about two days. Hopefully It will get rid of his worms. Any suggestions?
General Feedback
Posted by Must Read For Itching/supposed Allergy Dogs (Portland, Oregon) on 03/05/2011
Garlic is covered well here but you're all missing a condition more and more dogs and people are seriously ill from. So many of you describe severe itching and food allergies etc, and one had blood in stool, etc. Absolutely go read about Candida Albicans overgrowth. It is a yeast we and dogs have normally in our bodies but goes out of control after antibiotics or with poor diet or chemical exposures and then turns into a systemic lifelong seriously dangerous fungus. Please please read:
www.greatdanelady.com/articles/systemic_yeast_mini_course.htm
Note that in humans it's responsible for serious issues many of us are dealing with like fibromyalgia, IBS, leaky gut, blood in stool. It can be deadly but most often just causes constant recurring yeast infections on the skin and leads to mange etc.
MUST READ MUST READ MUST READ
My whole family and dogs have suffered for years and we all show different symptoms but it's all the same cause.
Garlic will mask symptoms but not cure this problem by itself, and this is becoming very very common all the sudden due to all the crap in both our foods, all the hormones and the antibiotics and steroids allmost all meat on the market is loaded with.
PLEASE PASS THE WORD
I am not in any way affiliated with that site I just found the cure to all our ills and wanted to let the word start spreading. Please pass this info around even if you don't include the link to that site.
General Feedback
Posted by Kristen (Guess, British Columbia, Canada) on 07/12/2011
★☆☆☆☆
Teenage girl here saying that I would never feed my dog garlic.
Some dogs may have built up better immune systems and just an ability to eat generally anything but all dogs are different and I'd never do anything so risky and because I haven't and I haven't let my parents do that either I would completely disagree with feeding your pets garlic.
Reasons, garlic = thiosulphate = hemolytic anemia = liver damage, vomiting, diarrhea
My dog being feed things I tell my parents not to, but then they do, and then comes vomit and diarrhea and stinky farts and they come ask me whats wrong and I ask them what they've feed her.
I wouldn't trust too many other doctors and vets "looking out only for the care of their patients". It seems that nowadays more and more people of these people were taught how not to get sued and keep their customers, little loopholes, law and logic flaws. Not everyone but alot more have just been thinking just about business. I wanted to be a vet to help other people and their animals. To be part of a community, to be there for those who were in need. BESIDES, I wouldnt suggest such things so vaguely. Other owners may have different values of what "alot" or "frequent" or "often" or "large quantities" Would you cook it? Would you prepare it in any way? How cooked? Boiled, fried, baked, raw?
LOOK AT THE DISCLAIMER
"Our readers offer information and opinions"
Keyword OPINIONS
"Please consult with your veterinarian " "Only your Veterinarian can provide you with advice on what is safe"
General Feedback
Posted by Big Lou (Durban, South Africa) on 01/16/2012
★☆☆☆☆
My vet has always advised me to give my dogs garlic, but after losing my beloved Natouk (White Timber Wolf/Malamute) to Lymphatic cancer (and spending a small fortune on Chemo). After been given the bare fact by a highly qualified Oncologist I realized I killed my Natouk by slowly poisoning it with garlic. It did not happen overnight, it took years as garlick kills like diabetes, slowly. Don't be fooled, it's too late for Natouk, but I can save my other dogs!!!
