Garlic for Dogs: Benefits and Cautions

Is It Safe?

Posted by Gabrielle (Elgin, Ontario Canada) on 05/16/2008
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My 86 lb golden lab chow cross is almost 13 yrs old. Since he was a year old I have been making his dog food - boiled chicken, rice & raw chopped veggies (carrots, zuccini, bell pepper) - I sprinkle dried herbs (basil, rosemary, oregano) & garlic powder into chicken boil. Vets always comment on how healthy my dog is for his age and how nice his teeth are. He is slowing down now but to me it is obvious that the garlic has not harmed him in any way. And I always have lovely chicken broth for myself!

Is It Safe?

Posted by Dee (West Warwick, RI) on 05/04/2008
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I do agree with Cheryl about the things on her list or (National Geographic magazine list). Except for the garlic. For a dog to become anemia by using garlic it would have to have an enormous amount of garlic. In the of Animal Wellness magazine February 2008 issue, is an article on the benefits of feeding garlic http://www.Animalwellnessmagazine.comrnrnAnother good article is http://www.petstyle.com/dog/health_well_article.aspx?id=2030§ion=Feeding amp Nutrition

I have two dogs 8 & 9yrs old; both get a clove of garlic daily. Small clove mix in raw meat for my little dog 25lbs and on or two cloves mixed in raw meat for my big dogs 60lbs, during the tick season, usually May thru July, Aug. When the tick season ends, I don't give it to them. I have had no side affect or problems with fleas & ticks. At first I had concerns about feeding garlic, after doing much research and reading different forums. I feel very confident garlic is safe to give my dogs. Dogs, like people, are different and each one has a different chemistry. What works well for one may not work for another? It's always best to do the research and use good common since, there's pros and cons for everything. You have to feel comfortable with your choices. But for me, garlic is the best tick repel I can use; I feel it's safe and has no harmful side effects.

Is It Safe?

Posted by Sabina (Goshen, NY) on 04/30/2008
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I've been giving my small and large dogs fresh garlic cloves, twice a week, for the past 30 years, and they all lived long healthy lives. I used to eat a clove daily and I never got a cold or flu. I gave up the daily garlic because it made me stink. Once I gave it up I began to catch virus. I now only take it if I feel as though I may be coming down with something.

Is It Safe?

Posted by Monica (USA) on 04/19/2008
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Garlic is perfectly fine for dogs. It does Not break down their blood cells. Onions do though. You will know if they have had onions because they will pee red. With garlic they will not.

Is It Safe?

Posted by Victoria (Vln, Lithuania) on 03/29/2008
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YEA. My 3 years old yorkie gets some garlic for almost 2 years once or twice a weak, he gets no fleas or worms. He is on raw food. And with this food and some garlic he is doing well.

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 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 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 Lena (Vienna, Austria) on 08/16/2007
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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 Zoe (USA) on 06/26/2007
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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!