The Garlic Debate Blog about Pet Animals

There seems to be a lot of contradictory information about whether garlic is bad or good for a dog. There are many people who think garlic is a good health supplement and flea repellent for their dogs. Whilst others claim that feeding your dog garlic is toxic and will cause them to become anemic.

It seems that it isn't the garlic itself that is harmful, but the dosage and the frequency it is given to a dog is the key. It seems that if your dog is given small amounts of garlic it can help them fight infection and repels ticks and fleas . However, large doses of garlic given to a dog on a regular basis can lead to Heinz body anemia, which affects the red blood cells. You should not give garlic to puppies that are under eight weeks old or to dogs that already have some form of anemia.

Our pet insurance customers will be pleased to now that there are very small amounts of garlic in some commercial dog food and it hasn't caused any health problems in dogs. Studies have shown that cats are much more sensitive to garlic than dogs.

Garlic is part of the onion family and has a high amount of sulfur in it. It can cause anemia if given in large doses over a long time; especially in small dogs and cats. On the other hand, the small amount that is used in flea medications and cooking don't seem to cause any problems. Onions are actually more toxic to dogs than garlic is.

If you are giving your dog garlic you should keep an eye on them and look for any symptoms of Hemolytic Anemia. Some of the symptoms to watch for include, discoloured urine, pale or white gums and rapid breathing. Other signs include lethargy, weakness, diarrhea, and vomiting. If you observe any of these signs in your dog you should seek medical attention right away.

It seems that the great garlic debate is still going on. Just remember before you give your dog garlic or any other type of natural supplement you should consult your vet first.