Garlic for Dogs: Benefits and Cautions

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.

Is It Safe?

Posted by John (Providence, Rhode Island) on 06/10/2007
★★★★★

OK, so most everyone here, except for the Frontline Sales Woman, have said garlic is good. Dr. Marty concurs, but how much? I have a little munchkin (7.5lbs Chihuahua), who is a animal rescue miracle. She has never eaten dog food, but not because I had a clue. She just refused. She kind of fended for herself prior and most people don't throw out dog food. So I began to feed her boiled brown rice, mixed vegatables and a nice cut of beef or chicken or both. Blended of course. I squirted a bit of vitamin gravy to help her out. As the years passed, I adapted with frozen vegatables instead of canned (ummm sodium)and then organic frozen vegatables. I've sinced added diced garlic (just a little, not SURE) and Salmon oil instead of the Vitamin Gravy. And a joint support liquid in the AM. Needless to say, I don't need a snooze button when my alarm clock goes off.

Is It Safe?

Posted by Sue (Cobb, California) on 06/20/2007
★★★★★

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.

Detox

Posted by Jessica (Phoenix, Arizona, USA) on 06/22/2007
★★★★★

My 25# Cocker Spaniel tried to eat a, Arizona Bark Scorpion (Centruroides exilicauda) (The worst kind in North America) last night. She and the Scorpion survived the encounter, but the antivenom for these Scorpions is not recommended for dogs. So, rather than wait for her to develop symptoms that may be treated; (seizure, muscle tremors, breathing and digestive difficulties) I gave her Garlic to fight the poison from the Scorpion. It is believed that the thiosulfates that are toxic to dogs (the can cause the red blood cells in the body to burst) also fight the venom itself. My hope is that the thiosulfates will fight the venom before affecting her blood cells. Right now she is unusually sleepy, but otherwise there have not been any other signs of toxins (Garlic or Venom).

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

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!

Fleas and Ticks

Posted by bruce (Hunstville, Al, USA) on 07/02/2007
★★★★★

I feed my dog Garlic for tick defence. I have been feeding my dog ( 3 yrs old) Garlic shavings for about a year to defend against ticks. He is a neutered collie type. I have not encountered any adverse effects and he is sharp and lively. The ticks he picks up seem to fall off more easily after this diet - I presume they don't like the taste it leaves in the blood. Not sure why it works but I think it makes him more healthy as well.

Worms

Posted by JoAnn (Manassas, VA/USA) on 07/31/2007
★★★★★

My 7 year old dog (ROXANNE) had been "uncomfortable" with herself for at least 3 weeks and had been "expressing" herself by chewing her feet and humping my beds, sofas and chairs.

On ANY day, it could be successfully argued that ROXANNE is a difficult/high maintenance MUTT (Rottweiler/Russian Shepherd/Basset mix) but, THIS TIME, she kept telling me -- and I had no problem recognizing her message -- that she was actually "in stress".

*******

Initially, I attributed her discomfort to: (a) bugs (fleas and ticks -- trust me, not the problem), (b) the heat, and perhaps a rash she had developed and needed to "scratch" to the point of creating "sores" on herself; or (c) a food allergy (even though I've been feeding her "people food" -- along with her Science Diet menu -- as a TREAT ever since she was a puppy).

To these ends, I had been both showering and shampooing her (warm) and "hosing her down" (gently; cool) on a bi-daily basis (alternating between "commercial shampoo" and a baking soda/olive oil paste for relief).

In addition, I had been applying AloeVera, Olive Oil, NeoSporan and even some commercial "moisturizers" to her back and "hiney" areas (areas that seemed to be bothering her the most) on a regular basis.

***********

After all of this and just six (6) days ago, she FINALLY squatted and rubbed her hiney on a patch of grass. My reaction:

Oh, my God! (and OK) She's got WORMS! (poor baby, but "fixable" and controllable!)

***********

My Grandmother (God rest her soul) actually bred/raised cocker and springer spaniels in her NYC apartment during the 1930's and 1940's. In addition, she would "rescue" any/all strays that may come her way until the day she died (1985).

And one of the most significant (albeit basic) things she ever taught me about treating a dog with parasitic WORMS was to somehow get GARLIC into that dog's system (I know not about cats in this regard, but I can't see any reason why my Grandmother's "formula" wouldn't "work" for cats, too).

***********

Day 1: I didn't have any clove garlic on hand, so I sprinked powdered garlic over ground beef ("hamburger meat"), cooked it, and fed it to ROXANNE (along with the same carrots, potatoes and peas I had earlier served to my own family).

After HOURS, there was no "appreciable" result.

Day 2: I purchased a GARLIC bulb at my local supermarket, took it home, broke it up, and BOILED 3 cloves in a nominal amount of water, sliced the cloves up, and poured the liquid over a couple of cans of commercial dog food.

And while ROXANNE gobbled up the meal, after HOURS of waiting, there was still no "appreciable" result.

Day 3: I was at my wits end, but totally believed that my Grandmother had told me TRUE about what to do (naturally) if/when a dog was experiencing this particular kind of "distress".

And so I boiled 2 more GARLIC cloves and, along with an approximate 1 T. of ground GARLIC, poured a "mixture" (which included this approx. 1/2 cup of water -- garlic cloves removed -- 1/4 cup Heavy Cream, 1/4 cup Half & Half and a can of Evaporated Milk into a bowl snd simply served it to her (cooled)).

Day 3 -- LATE NITE. ROXANNE awakens me, and tells me it is URGENT that she go outside and (very) reluctantly, I abide/consent/concede and respond to her "signal".

And, in retrospect, I am REALLY glad I did.

Because not only did ROXANNE "poop" like she had never done before (meaning 3 times, in various locations along our "path") but, when I "picked it up" (as is required by law) and "inspected" it (YUK! EWWW! and all of that), there were not only 2 really "super long" (but DEAD!) WORMS evident in her "elimination", but also evidence of "smaller" parasites ("white things") that had not survived our GARLIC onslaaught.

*******

Day 4:

ROXANNE SLEPT for a really long time for her (perhaps 6 hours straight) after that particular "elimination experience".

But what was most STRIKING (to me, at least) is that, when she did eventually wake up from her nap, she was TOTALLY the smiling (yes, she DOES smile), dysfunctional (in so many ways, I just can't tell you!) MUTT (Rottweiler/Russian Shepherd/Bassett mix) I would do ANYTHING for (as she would do for me, I have NO doubt).

Day 4-6 (meaning, to present):

FINALLY, SHE was able to SLEEP. And therefore, so was I!

And FINALLY (and once again), it became a pleasurable experience (as far as I can take that) to "deal" with ROXANNE.

We (me and ROXANNE) have had 2 "good days" now.

And (optimist I usually am not), I am actually looking forward to many, many more days of ROXANNE being happily "cured".

*******

Make no mistake: I will continue to watch for any/all other symptoms of ROXANNE's discomfort.

But as of right now, I feel pretty comfortable that her "problem" has been FIXED.

And I feel pretty stongly that's that's on account of GARLIC having been significantly imposed on her diet over the course of no fewer than 3 consecutive days.

********

IMO (and experience), my ROXANNE is perfectly imperfect.

It's been a difficult couple of weeks, but (especially after our most recent "trials"), I cannot thank my Grandmother (or GARLIC) enough -- specifically because, on account of ROXANNE feeling better, I, too, have been sleeping better and am feeling a whole lot better about a whole number of things now.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.