Garlic for Dogs: Benefits and Cautions

Dosage

Posted by Linda (Bethel, Pa. Usa) on 06/14/2011

I have 2 Yorkies under 3 pounds I'm wondering how much garlic I can give them for fleas & ticks and how often. I also live in the Mnt. where we have a lot of problems with fleas & ticks. Thanks for any help you can give.

Article by Lisa S. Newman, Nd

Posted by Ladybee (Oklahoma Ciy, OK) on 06/28/2007
★★★★★

Garlic, the Facts, by Lisa S. Newman, ND, Ph.D.

"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.

------

Since 1982, Dr. Newman has been a world renowned pioneer in the field of natural pet care. The author of nine books."

Fleas and Ticks

Posted by Miles (Oceanside, California) on 06/16/2008
★★★★★

I use to have a German Shepard, and every year around summer time he would become infested with fleas. Flea/tick shampoo was pretty much useless, as I would have to bathe him with it 4-5 times before all the fleas were gone. However, the eggs would still live on, so a week later he would be infested all over again. I had enough so I took him to the Vet, who strangely gave me garlic pills to give him. He told me most Vets don't recommend it, but he has been giving his dogs garlic for years and they've lived healthy lives. My dog hated it, and it was very difficult to get him to swallow it(even if I put it in the back of his throat, or wrap it in a treat). So I started chopping cloves daily and mixing it with plain white rice(the chopped garlic sticks to the rice so he has to eat it). About a week later, I started to notice something...no more fleas! The only side effect I saw(or smelled) was a bitter smelling flatulence. Every year, around mid-May, I would chop cloves and mix it with rice daily. My neighbor said I was "killing" my dog slowly, but his dog always was sick or had some kind of problem, and he would feed her as much RX pills as your average American family takes(needless to say that's a lot). Of course, his dog died, and it was very sad because he thought synthetic man-made pills wasn't the reason. His exact words were something like "she was an unlucky dog". She never even got to see 10, she died at 9 years old from complications, and they had to put her down. However, my dog lived to see 17, and every time I would take him to the vet they would tell me how healthy my dog was, how healthy his coat looked, and they could never find worms. I only gave my dog garlic daily between May-August, so maybe excessively giving them garlic might lead to anemia. However, I don't believe that since some of my friends give their dogs garlic daily year-round and they're healthy. I now have a year old Boxer, who like many Boxers, has minor digestive problems. When he was a pup he would vomit alot and get diarrhea. He also started getting fleas(not nearly as bad as my Shepard) around 6 months, so I started the garlic treatment with him too. To my surprise not only did it get rid of the fleas, but it cured his digestive problems! I thought the garlic might give him diarrhea, but I wanted his fleas gone so I took a chance. I couldn't believe it, he no longer vomited or had diarrhea after feeding him cloves daily with a cup of white rice. I can honestly say garlic is NOT fatal or even harmful to dogs. Whoever published that statement that it is, was probably just trying to market a new pill for dogs, or doesn't want you to know that $2 a month will cure/treat symptoms that most vets charge $200+ for. Last time I checked, I never heard of anyone getting negative side-effects from natural medicine, but how many negative side-effects are there in your prescription and OTC medicines? Exactly! So to all you "experts" who wanna tell me that some world-renown vet said it's harmful, save your breath. I really don't care. I've seen the results, and it continues to work for me and my dog, and that's all that really matters.

Is It Safe?

Posted by William (Glendale, California) on 10/19/2011
★★★★★

We are garlic product mfgrs and work with a major university - here are facts that we should all know:

There exists NO university, Official Laboratory or scientific study showing that normal amounts of garlic to be harmful to dogs. None. Even the vets have never submitted scientific proof of their statements that you should not feed garlic to dogs.

Holistic vets recommend garlic - Dogs For The Deaf organication feeds garlic extract to their dogs daily.

We use science, not rumors in saying that garlic in moderate amounts is good for dogs in many ways. If you believe that garlic is harmful to dogs - submit your science along with your statement please.

Garlic Valley Farms, Inc.

Article by Lisa S. Newman, Nd

Posted by Seattlesbestemily (Seattle, Wa) on 01/18/2011

If you think garlic is more dangerous for your dog than pesticides you've got bigger problems than a few fleas!!! Garlic works. I've used it for five years on my dog and she's never had fleas... Plus she gets complimented on her coat regularly. Don't be silly... Trust centuries of use over 20 years of chemical company propaganda!

Article by Lisa S. Newman, Nd

Posted by Bb (Atlanta, Ga Usa) on 10/16/2010

Garlic is not harmful to dogs. Onions are toxic. I have used powdered & fresh garlic for my dogs for decades without any reaction. The "mix" you used must have had other ingredients that caused the ill effect.

Article by Lisa S. Newman, Nd

Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 11/07/2016

Sharing this article: http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/garlic-for-dogs-poison-or-medicine/

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.

Is It Safe?

Posted by New Mexico Glo (Roswell) on 03/25/2017
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Just to clear up the many misconceptions out there about garlic, it is safe for dogs in moderation. I have fed it to all 5 of mine since they were pups, all eat a home cooked diet with about the equivalent of 1/2 clove each per day, and typically do not get fleas or worms, unless it's a very bad year for fleas. 4 of them weigh between 50 and 60 pounds, the other is around 35 pounds, just for reference. Even in bad years, such as last year, they don't get many, and the fleas don't stick around very long, as they can't stand the smell of the garlic.

Onions, on the other hand, can do serious harm to your dogs! The allium content in them is much higher than in garlic, although they are from the same plant family.

The key to feeding garlic is caution and being observant. Like with any food, some dogs, or humans, might have an allergy to ANY food, so start small, observe carefully for a few days, then if they do well, continue and enjoy not using toxic flea preparations on your fur babies. :-) Also do some research on herbal preparations that you can make at home, rather than using toxic chemicals that are sold at the store, labeled "safe." I assure you they are not all that safe. The are pesticides, plain and simple.

Here's to good health!

Dosage

Posted by Linda (San Tan Valley, Az, Usa) on 06/02/2011

First, I would like to say that the recommendations of using 3 drops of hydro. Perioxide and a teasp. of honey worked wonders. I have 2 Cane Corsos and I recently took custody of my females brother who the original owners were not treating very well. He came into our home about 3 weeks ago and just last week (which would have been his second week with us) my female starting this type of gagging every so often every day, so I got online and came across the recommendation and I have to say, this gagging sound is gone. I also read that a dog can be a carrying so I am assuming my guy was a carrier. While treating my female I also treated our guy. Perfect no harsh chemicals. Thank you.

Now I have another ???, while reading this board during my search for KC treatment it was mentioned to give your dog garlic pills odorless ones. So I purchase a bottle of odorless garlic pills 1200 mg, but I am not sure if this is too much. The brand is a respected mfgr. Should I only give once a week, I don't want to hurt my pups, by the way they are both 10 months old and weigh 85 lbs.

Thanks

Allergies

Posted by Gwendolyn Villavaso (Los Angeles, Ca. 90034) on 09/23/2016
★★★★★

I have used garlic on my daschund mix terrie 6 years old for a long time. She had allergies bad. Even her skin turned black. The garlic has really helped her a lot. She is healthy. I will continue using the garlic.

Worms

Posted by carla (houston, texas) on 01/28/2008
★★★★★

i had a doberman that lived to be about 16 years. one day we took him to the vet and we found out that he had heart worms and they told us the price for what we can do and were blown away. so we started to give him garlic in his food everyday. we took him to the vet about a month later and the heart worms were gone!! we told them what we did and they didnt believe us. about 11 years later he passed away from old age. we now have a min. pincher and we too give him garlic everyday! nasty farts, but no infections! Garlic is proven to fight infections but vets dont want you to know because its so much cheaper to buy garlic.

Article by Lisa S. Newman, Nd

Posted by Gerald (Columbus, Ohio Usa) on 12/25/2010

Garlic is ok for a dog, in small doses (like a single clove) But a entire bulb would make anyone sick!

Article by Lisa S. Newman, Nd

Posted by 5 Pooches Home (Houston, Tx) on 03/17/2011

By 'chis' I mean chihuahuas! I have 2 girls who weigh around 5 and 6 pounds.

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.

Article by Lisa S. Newman, Nd

Posted by Janet (Opelousas, Louisiana) on 10/19/2011

I just wanted to post my take of the AVMA article link that was brought up in NAY of giving garlic to dogs. First of all, I checked that link and there isnt much on there as to what they did. Also, it only states 4 dogs were given 1. 25 ml of garlic extract/kg of body weight (5 g of whole garlic/kg) and 4 dogs were the control dogs. My big question is how much did each dog weight. From everything that I have read concerning this issue, I would have to guess they researchers used very small dogs... The ones who couldnt handle garlic in this amount once a day for 7 days. To me, this is like saying that a sugar substitute WILL cause cancer in humans like it does in overdosed rats. My complaint about this research is that anything scientific is usually done in triplicate, no where does it state that this was done in triplicate. I'll continue to give my dogs garlic... After 10 years... If it hasnt hurt or killed them I reckon its not going to. I would like send thanks for this garlic article... I am sure it has helped answer a lot of people's questions.

Article by Lisa S. Newman, Nd

Posted by Anonymous (Menominee, Michigan) on 10/23/2011

I would also like to respond to "NAY" (dtd 9-23-11). The AVMA article stated that the dogs were super-dosed. They were given approximately 5g of garlic per kg of weight. This is about one clove of garlic. If the dogs averaged about 20kg (roughly 40 pounds), then the dogs were given about 20 cloves of garlic a day! Who wouldn't have a reaction to a dose that high? On top of all of that, the article, written in 2000, was so vague in detail there is no way to come to a logical conclusion about the "scientific data. " Moderation and education people.

Article by Lisa S. Newman, Nd

Posted by Lb (Houston, Tx) on 09/11/2012

I wanted to comment on the AMVA article. I didn't read it and won't waste my time. My thoughts are this. What the heck? Why in the world would the researchers of that article super-dose and intentionally KILL dogs? They should be held accountable for intentionally killing animals because it sounds like that's what they set out to do and that's just exactly what they did! It's a good thing their study wasn't done in duplicate or triplicate! No one in their right mind would give anyone this quantity of garlic. Very, very sad to think about this.

Dosage

Posted by Sarah (Chicago, Illinois) on 09/29/2011
★★★★★

After my Lab/shep mix died, I was a mess and found out I was killing my best friend slowly. sob.

I found out too late about Fresh garlic and wheat free dog foods .

Over vaccinating dogs = renal failure. Horrible dog food= renal failure.

Frontline Heartgaurd= renal failure.

My surviving dog is a shep/husky and is thriving on a clove of minced garlic mixed into wheat-free dog food, then she gets REAL people food in the form of 'Leftovers': Mashed potatoes, Asparagus, spinach etc...

The fresh garlic clove once every 2 days 1TBLS-ACV (apple cider vinegar) in water bowel has saved me so much money and pain.

My dog is THRIVING on garlic and a bit of ACV. No more scratching.

Article by Lisa S. Newman, Nd

Posted by Deirdre (Alton, Ia) on 10/30/2010

Garlic making dog sick. Could it be msg or a autolyzed yeast extract that made the dog sick?

Article by Lisa S. Newman, Nd

Posted by Amy ( Columbus, Oh) on 12/29/2010

People just because you have a computer doesn't mean everything you read on there is true. I can google anything and there is always 2 sides. Just because it came from National Geographic doesn't me they are the end all be all of knowledge. If you paid any attention to her article you would see that although the chemical that is in onions is also in garlic but a substantially smaller amount. Any almost non existent amount is in garlic. Before you just make posts like they are FACT do a little more digging. There is too much ignorance in the world.

Article by Lisa S. Newman, Nd

Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 11/07/2016

The table did not appear correctly

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

Is It Safe?

Posted by Ken (Malinalco, Mexico ) on 06/29/2011
★★★★★

This garlic issue is indeed questionable - at least for dogs which, (according to the authorities) can be killed by it. Many years ago, my sister's dog was diagnosed with kidney and liver failure and consequently to be euthanized. My sister protested and went on to cure her beloved pet with raw meat mixed with garlic and olive oil at every meal. The dog went on to live another 6 years and after a few months was jumping like a puppy. In this case, garlic was definitely not toxic but part of a miraculous cure invented by a young girl of 12.

Fleas and Ticks

Posted by Jennifer (Burton, Michigan) on 10/18/2011
★★★★★

I have to agree. I chop up 1 to 2 cloves for in each of my dogs food dishes, once a day. They are about 85 lbs each. My one dog has tumors, and before I started adding the garlic, was showing signs of arthritis. Now, at 15 years old, my baby is bouncing like a puppy. I have been feeding both my dogs garlic for about 5 years, and it has shown nothing but positive results!

Dosage

Posted by Louis (Dallas, Tx) on 03/09/2009

Garlic Feeding Method: For the person asking how to administer garlic to her pet: my former wife found that unpleasant-tasting medications can be disguised in peanut butter. She wrapped the heart worm prevention capsule in peanut butter (this works great, assuming someone out there knows something I am not aware of relative to peanut butter and pets). Also, a woman I talked to recently says she feeds garlic pills to her three dogs once a month (she buys these pills at her nearby 99-cent store in 30-tablet bottles; however, I don't know the strength of these pills). Perhaps someone out there can tell us about how much and in what form?

Article by Lisa S. Newman, Nd

Posted by Jeannie (Dalton, Georgia) on 12/20/2010
0 out of 5 stars

Last night my pup she weighs 3 pounds got on the table and ate a huge bulb of garlic. She had stomachache (gas) and had some really bad breath, that was 10 hours ago and shes ok. But it scared me to death. All my life I have herd garlic was good to rid your pet of pests now its poison. I looked on line called my vet and no one would tell me what to do for my pet. She still has a tummy ache but shes playing so I believe shes gonna be ok.

Article by Lisa S. Newman, Nd

Posted by 5 Pooches Home (Houston, Tx) on 03/16/2011

I have 2 chis and I give them plenty of garlic. Never had a worm or fleas. I give 2-3 cloves (medium size) each day. Never had a problem.

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!

Article by Lisa S. Newman, Nd

Posted by Mark (Nc) on 11/26/2014

After spending almost 2000 at the vet, I found simply feeding my German Shepherd salmon, rice, turmeric, and yes garlic did the trick.

Allergies

Posted by Anie (New York) on 03/03/2018

Check out Dogs Naturally Magazine, they do a great article on garlic, one would have to eat a lot of garlic to cause issues. We have given all of our dogs garlic without issue. We have mostly used powdered and cooked garlic in their food, I have had no luck getting them to eat it raw, also remember in the wild dogs usually get their other nutrients other than raw meat from the stomachs of their prey or fermented foods to the ground. Also see Dr Becker at Mercola.

Cysts and Tumors

Posted by Charlotte (South Africa) on 01/04/2017
★★★★★

Hi, I have a boerboel, Jessie. She had a black growth on her ear that just got bigger and bigger, I started to smear ordourless garlic, which is 4 times stronger. Is now healed completely and nothing has grown back for 6 months now. Due to her age she developed a tumor on her back, I started again, on and off 3 capsule every 3 days, and its shrinking, still busy with her treatment. Did have to shave the area a bit,

Fleas and Ticks

Posted by Kathy (Cypress, TX) on 06/13/2008
★★★★★

To keep fleas off my 70 lb. dog, I juice fresh raw garlic and add 1/8 teaspoon of it to a raw egg yolk. He eats it joyfully. NO MORE FLEAS. Fleas hate the smell of garlic. I may carefully increase the amount of garlic juice some in the future because he is 70 lbs. He eats his food joyfully. He also loves greens such as Alfalfa powder, Wheatgrass powder, Barley powder, etc. Dogs need greens too!

Article by Lisa S. Newman, Nd

Posted by Frank (Kingston, Ny) on 10/13/2010

Hello Doctor,
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

Article by Lisa S. Newman, Nd

Posted by Mary Robbins (Red Bluff, California) on 09/16/2011

Hey I been giving my 5 dogs garlic since they were all 6 weeks old I would never give them that much garlic I cut the garlic cloves in to little cubes and then they each get one cube a week. You don't ever want to overdose on anything- a little goes a long way. Theres no need to be giving them a lot because it may work or it may kill them. Too much of a good thing for any dog is very, very dangerous. Just a little bit, never more. It's like feeding fish- you never want to give them more just a little pinch of fish food and there set. Same thing when your giving dog garlic and no, never use garlic on a pregnant dog- it will make the milk toxic for the puppys. I learned that the hard way.

Cancer

Posted by Catherine (Leeds, United Kingdom) on 05/28/2007
★★★★★

My 13 yr old Scottish Terrier developed cancer in his mouth which spread to his jaw bone. The vet treating him removed it and said that it would probably give him another month or two at best. I began feeding him porridge oats with a wheatgrass shot on a morning and adding finely chopped raw garlic to his evening meal. I believe this slowed down the cancer considerably. He seemed as happy and fit as ever for another 8 months before I had to make the decision to have him put to sleep but on his final day he still went on a 3 mile walk with me and was running around and eating snacks.

Allergies

Posted by Diamond (Ma.) on 04/17/2015

Kelpie/boarder collie. Why not wait until your new dog adjusts to it's new environment? Then just try one item at a time? I was thinking of trying garlic for my very itchy dogs, they are small dogs so I give them less than half garlic every other day, I also read that most any thing especially garlic can become very toxic if taken too often.

Good Luck with your new family member.

Digestion

Posted by DORIE (Spokane, WA) on 04/19/2007
★★★★★

re; garlic for dogs: my miniature poodle is 12years old. at the age of 7 years old he began having a bleeding problem in his stool. he would not eat whenever his intestines were affected. after emoxicillan and 1800.00 in vet bills my husband and i started putting metamucil in his food. this seemed to lessen the occasions of the bleeding but did not eliminate it. last fall he started having blood in his stool about 3-4 times a week. as a last resort we took him off of store bought food and starting making his food at home. recipe: 1 lb browned ground beef 2cups minute rice after cooking will be 4 cups 1heaping tsp on minced garlic cooked in with the ground beef. 1 15oz can sliced carrots drained and rinsed 1 15oz canned potatoes drained and rinsed.

smash potatoes and carrots with a hand potato masher add rice and beef mixture stir well

my dog has not a bleeding episode since we began this regimen. he is happy energetic and thinks he is still a puppy. plus he loves his food.

hope this is helpful to someone else with similar problems.

Allergies

Posted by Linda (D.c.florida) on 07/23/2017

Garlic does get rid of all worms in your dog, I agree. Home remedies are safe, inexpensive and work. You just have to keep at it. It's not a one day thing. Fixed income and have been trying that and adding organic a.c.v. in order to expel worms from my dogs..

Is It Safe?

Posted by Orion (Alden, New York) on 07/14/2012
★★★★★

I hate to burst the bubbles of people who are posting that garlic in a dog's diet will cause their blood cells to burst. That is silliness that borders on hysteria. I can say that I personally have had several dogs who have far out lived what the "experts" claim is old for a healthy dog of their breed. These dogs were fed in part the evil "people food" which contained garlic, onions, salt and anything else that we are told is bad for dogs. Dogs have been around much longer than commercial dog food and they will be long after we're gone. They are resilient and benefit from a variety of foods. As long as your not dumb and overdose them on one thing, or get them so fat they can't walk, then giving them a varied diet like they would have in the wild is a good thing. If you want to believe your vet then expect your dog to live the 8 or 9 years they predict. My dogs lived 13 healthy and happy.

Is It Safe?

Posted by Danielle (Memphis, Tn) on 05/08/2011
★★★★★

I sprinkle garlic powder on my dog's food every morning and have never had any problems. It gives it an extra taste that they like and I have never had any problems with fleas on them. I even have a friend who works at a shelter and does animal rescue work and she not only takes garlic supplements herself to protect her when she's working with the animals come in but she also adds it to the food of the shelter animals. I think there are so many people out there that are against holistic medicine that they bash things without knowing if they truly work or not.

A few months back I was fostering a German Shepherd who was a heavy HW positive and it was going to be several months before he could begin treatment. I got online and found a wonderful holistic treatment and within the first week, his appetite had increased dramatically along with his energy level and his coat. He went for his 1st treatment about a month later and when he was tested, the vet said that they had never seen anything quite like it, but the baby heartworms were dead and there were only a few adults left.

So I do believe in the power of holistic treatment!

Garlic
Health Benefits

Garlic for Dogs: Benefits and Cautions

Flea And Tick Repellent

Garlic And Cancer

The Importance Of Fresh Raw Garlic

Concerns When Using Garlic For Dogs

Pregnant Dogs

Puppies

Breed Specific Issues

Drug Interactions

Why Garlic Scares People

Research Caused The Misunderstanding

How To Prepare Garlic For Dogs

How Much Garlic Should You Give Your Dog?

A Last Word On Garlic For Dogs

Garlic
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Garlic Health Benefits

Garlic for Dogs: Benefits and Cautions

Flea And Tick Repellent

Garlic And Cancer

The Importance Of Fresh Raw Garlic

Concerns When Using Garlic For Dogs

Pregnant Dogs

Puppies

Breed Specific Issues

Drug Interactions

Why Garlic Scares People

Research Caused The Misunderstanding

How To Prepare Garlic For Dogs

How Much Garlic Should You Give Your Dog?

A Last Word On Garlic For Dogs

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Garlic
Health Benefits

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Health Benefits