Not only is garlic delicious in your soups, stews, stir fries and more, but this little root bulb also offers a range of health benefits for humans. But, before you start sprinkling minced garlic over your dog’s bowl of kibble, it’s important to ask a few questions: Can dogs have garlic? Can they reap the benefits of this flavourful veggie? Is there a risk of garlic toxicity and what should you do if your doggo has gobbled down more than a few cloves?
While there is some grey area that we’ll cover in this article, the safe and simple answer is that dogs should generally avoid garlic. Luckily, your pupper probably enjoys their food even without the added zest of garlic.
What are the health risks of garlic?
Garlic is a member of the allium family along with onions, chives, shallots, and more. All of these flavourful aromatics contain varying levels of a sulfur compound called thiosulfate, which humans are able to metabolise. In contrast, not only are our furry friends unable to digest thiosulfate, but too much of it in the system can have damaging effects on their red blood cells. Whether they’ve ingested large quantities of garlic or onions all at once or over a period of time, the build-up of thiosulfate can lead to digestive issues and anemia.
This is especially true for Japanese dog breeds such as the Akita or Shiba Inu, as their unique blood type puts them at higher risk of damage from thiosulfate.
Exactly how much garlic a dog can eat before experiencing negative health outcomes depends on their size and individual ability to metabolise the compound. In general, a dog should never eat more than 30 grams of garlic per kilogram of body weight. Given that a single clove of garlic is only about 5 grams, you may assume that you have a lot of wiggle room here. But remember that thiosulfate can build up over time; a few grams here and there can negatively affect your dog without you realising it.
Can dogs have garlic in moderation?
Because of the potential risk of garlic toxicity, you won’t find many veterinary professionals who would support giving dogs garlic, even in moderation. There’s simply no evidence of potential health benefits that would justify the risk.
That said, a study published in the BMC Veterinary Research journal in 2018 tested whether dogs would still experience negative health outcomes if given odourless aged garlic extract. They found that as long as the dogs received an appropriate dose according to their weight, they were not likely to show any signs of anemia or other health issues as a result of the garlic.
Of course, your doggo isn’t in a lab setting, which means that you can’t monitor their blood levels to ensure that the garlic isn’t negatively affecting them. So, while the research is promising for anyone looking to include garlic in their dog’s diet in the future, today’s medical advice is to avoid it completely.
What should you do if your dog eats garlic?
Maybe you’ve got a counter-surfing dog who got their paws on a head of garlic or you’ve been known to share a few bites of your delicious steak with your furry friend. Should you be concerned?
To be sure, garlic toxicity shouldn’t be taken lightly. But, there’s no need to panic just yet. Your dog may not need treatment unless they’re showing one or more of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Higher than normal heart rate (for small dogs and puppies, that means more than 160 beats per minute and for large dogs, more than 120 beats per minute)
- Lethargy and exhaustion after gentle or moderate exercise
- Drooling and excessive panting
- Digestive upset, including vomiting, diarrhoea, or loss of appetite
- Blood in the urine or discoloured urine
If you notice any of these changes in your dog’s health, take your dog to the vet for further instruction. They will likely perform blood tests and put your pup on a treatment plan to counteract the garlic toxicity.
Unless your dog has an underlying condition that could make recovery more difficult, you can be sure that your furry friend will be back in good health fairly quickly. Of course, training them to leave the garlic alone in the future may take some additional time!
The answer to “Can dogs have garlic” is no. But there’s good news!
Unfortunately, the medical community is pretty clear: garlic is not recommended for dogs. But, before you feel too disappointed, it’s not all bad news.
For one thing, if you were thinking of giving your dog garlic for the medicinal benefits, the truth is, there are safer ways to improve your dog’s health. Putting them on an all-natural nutritionist-approved diet, for instance, is a great way to fulfill all of your dog’s dietary needs and more. With a carefully curated dog food diet, your doggo will enjoy the benefits that garlic provides humans, such as a stronger immune system and improved heart health – albeit from dog-friendly sources.
Maybe you’re disappointed that you can no longer share a few bites of your delicious meals with your pup. But the fact is, your doggo probably doesn’t appreciate the complex flavour palette that your home cooked meals offer, anyway. That’s because dogs have fewer taste buds than humans. The good news is, they would be equally happy if you tossed them a few bites of dog-friendly ingredients like carrots or apples. So, you can still safely adhere to the “sharing is caring” rule in your household!
Finally, if you grow your own garlic, you don’t need to rip out your beloved plants. By teaching your dog to stay out of your garden and offering them fun alternatives like puzzle toys or interactive play, your dog can coexist with your allium plants without fear of toxicity.
So, while the answer to the question “can dogs eat garlic” is no, you don’t have to worry about your pupper being too disappointed about the change. There are plenty of ways to achieve health and mental enrichment without the help of this flavourful plant!
