How Much Garlic Can a Dog Have?

As a dog owner, you can’t protect your dog from everything. However, you can make sure they are well equipped to take on whatever comes their way. And the best way to make sure they are living as healthy as possible is to feed them a healthy diet.

That’s why many people are wondering what food they should feed their dogs. And to take it a set further, there are even other people who have resorted to making their own dog food from scratch. That way, they can control every single ingredient and make sure their pets are eating a balanced and nutritious diet.

With that said, there are some ingredients dogs should stay away from. Remember, humans and dogs have completely different biological systems, so what may be totally safe for you to eat could be toxic to your dog.

And in the pet community, one commonly disputed ingredient for dogs is garlic. While there are some that claim that proper amounts of garlic can actually benefit your pet, there are others that say you should keep your dog away from garlic at all costs.

If you’ve been wondering if you can feed your dog garlic and, if so, how much is the right amount for them, you’ve come to the right place.

Is Garlic Toxic To Dogs?

Yes, garlic can be poisonous to dogs. While completely fine and even beneficial for humans, there are studies that suggest that garlic and other members of the allium family contain compounds that do not sit well in a dog’s body. So, as much as possible, people recommend keeping your dog away from garlic and the allium family in general.

If your dog stays with you inside the house, make sure that it can’t get into the kitchen. Or, you can keep the garlic, onions, and other ingredients in a place that you’re sure they can’t reach.

That way, your dogs will never have a toxic dosage of garlic that can cause some significant health complications.

Why Is Garlic Toxic to Dogs?

Garlic and the allium family are toxic to dogs for one main type of compound: thiosulfates. These are compounds that are completely safe for humans. However, they aren’t as safe for dogs. Thiosulfates are dangerous for dogs because they attack their red blood cells.

The red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen to different areas of the body and are vital for a dog’s survival. So, if they are damaged, some health complications can arise. And since garlic, onions, chives, leeks, and all members of the allium family contain significantly high levels of thiosulfates, it’s best to keep them away from your pet.

If your dog has too much garlic, it can exhibit a wide range of symptoms. This includes diarrhea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal issues. On top of that, it can cause a loss of appetite, dehydration, and even depression in your dogs.

And in some cases, garlic poisoning can even lead to your dog developing hemolytic anemia. This is a complex medical condition that can cause jaundice, lethargy, weakness, discolored urine and a host of other symptoms.

For more information on garlic poisoning and dogs, spotandtango.com has a very comprehensive guide on it.

How Much Garlic Can My Dog Have?

While there are many people that say that garlic is toxic to dogs and thiosulfates damage their red blood cells, there are still people who say that you can feed your dog small amounts of the food. On top of that, some people even claim that feeding your dog garlic can lead to significant health benefits down the line.

So, how much of this is true?To start, dogs will have to have at least 15-30 grams of garlic per kilogram of their own bodyweight actually to experience garlic poisoning. Remember, one clove of garlic only weighs around 3-7 grams, which means your dog would have to eat a whole lot of garlic to get very sick.

So, to a certain extent, your dog may eat garlic. However, keep in mind that every dog is different. This means that while one dog may be completely fine eating garlic, your dog may be more sensitive.

There are people that claim that certain dog breeds are more sensitive to garlic poisoning than others. So, if ever you plan on feeding your dog garlic or adding it to their diet, consult your vet first.

Additionally, it would help to start slowly to see if your dog really enjoys the garlic and their stomach can handle it first.

There are tons of different health supplements for dogs on the market today that contain garlic. The main reason for this is that there are some who claim that garlic can be an effective flea deterrent in dogs. And while this may be true to a certain extent, studies have shown inconclusive results.

So, considering that there is a significant risk in feeding your dog garlic, it’s best to stay on the safe side by keeping the herb away from your dog as much as possible.