Garlic is bad for dogs as it’s part of the allium family, which includes leeks, onions and chives, all of which are toxic for dogs. Garlic contains a compound called Thiosulfate, which can damage a dog’s red blood cells and even prove fatal. Because of this, dogs should avoid all kinds of garlic and garlic flavourings to be safe.
It’s the toxicity from thiosulfate, which means your pooch must never eat garlic, whether cooked, raw, or as part of a meal. Symptoms of garlic poisoning can include pale gums, rapid breathing and general weakness, even collapse, and without treatment can lead to fatalities in dogs.
It’s not known exactly why, but dog breeds of Japanese descent, such as Shiba Inus, Akitas and Japanese Chins, may have increased sensitivity to garlic poisoning. If you’re an owner of any of these breeds, be extra vigilant when it comes to them accidentally eating garlic.
No, as any health benefits that might come from garlic are negated by the fact that garlic is toxic to a dog’s digestive system. In some alternative pet nutrition groups, raw garlic is suggested for dogs as a health food or as a wormer.
However, we do not recommend including garlic in a nutritious canine diet, as the risks are too high.
If your pooch has somehow eaten garlic, be very vigilant over your next steps. If they’ve eaten only a small amount of garlic, for instance, a bite of garlic bread, or a mouthful of food that had some garlic added to it, they may not experience any ill effects.
This is especially true for larger dogs, who may just get a mild stomach upset. If your pooch is small or if your dog has eaten any amount of raw garlic or garlic on its own, you should call the vet immediately.
The impact of garlic is very dependent on dose, so tell the vet how much garlic was eaten and how long ago, as well as the size and breed of your dog.
Garlic isn’t safe for dogs to consume. You should never knowingly feed your dog garlic or food that has garlic as an ingredient. However, a large dog can probably go unharmed if they’ve sneaked a bite of garlic bread (as an example), or less than one clove of garlic. If you aren’t sure, call your vet.
The toxic dose of garlic is about 15mg/kg, so the size of the dog plays an important role in determining the risk.
Garlic is dose-dependent, so if your pooch is small, a small amount of garlic could harm them. If your pooch has eaten any amount of raw or cooked garlic and you’re not sure if it’s safe, call your vet immediately to ask for advice.
If there’s any chance your dog may have eaten garlic, keep a lookout for these symptoms of garlic poisoning in dogs:
Keep in mind, signs can take several days to show up.
You should go to the vet as an emergency if you notice any of the above symptoms, but also if you know your dog has eaten a considerable amount of garlic for their size and breed. If they’ve eaten garlic in its pure form, such as a cooked garlic bulb, garlic powder, or raw cloves, rather than in food, this can be more dangerous as it’s likely to poison them.
Take them to the vet immediately.
Keep garlic away from your dog by storing it in a cupboard or fridge well out of reach. If you know you use garlic frequently in your meals, refrain from sharing your food with your dog at any time, so they don’t get into the habit of eating scraps and leftovers that could harm them.
Be sure to educate yourself on which foods are toxic for dogs - keep them fresh in your mind, and be sure that visitors and family members know, too.
On the whole, dogs cannot eat garlic or food that uses garlic as an ingredient. Let’s go into which garlicky foods your dog shouldn’t eat.
No, dogs shouldn’t eat garlic bread. The amount of garlic in the bread may be very little, but it’s still dangerous for dogs as garlic contains a compound called thiosulfate, which is toxic to dogs and can prove fatal. Garlic bread is also full of butter and carbohydrates, which isn’t good for a dog, overall.
If your dog is larger and has eaten some garlic bread, they may get away without harm. Keep an eye out for any untoward symptoms such as weakness, diarrhoea or vomiting. However, if your small dog has eaten some garlic bread, it’s probably worth calling a vet.
No. Dogs can’t eat any form of garlic, whether raw or cooked. If you use garlic in a lot of your meals, avoid feeding your pooch any leftovers or scraps, as garlic is toxic to dogs and can even prove fatal.
No. Garlic in any form should be avoided, as garlic is toxic to dogs, and the powder is a potent form. If you’ve added garlic powder to a meal and they’ve eaten some, keep an eye on them for any symptoms of garlic poisoning such as vomiting, diarrhoea or weakness. If your dog is small, call your vet straight away for advice.
No, all kinds of garlic are toxic to dogs as it’s part of the allium family. Garlic, chives and leeks are all toxic to dogs, and wild garlic is included in this.
If your pooch has scoffed some wild garlic while out on a walk, get in touch with a vet for advice, even if it’s a small amount. Look out for signs of garlic poisoning. Be extra vigilant, looking out for symptoms, as effects can be delayed by a few days.
No. Any kind of garlic is toxic to dogs, whether raw, cooked, or included as part of a meal, so your pooch could become very unwell from eating garlic chicken.
If they’ve only eaten a small piece of the meat that was flavoured with garlic, keep a close eye on them, as they could go unharmed. If they show any symptoms of garlic poisoning, or if they’ve eaten a significant portion of the meal, call your vet.
Garlic is one of the known ‘toxic foods for dogs’ that they should never eat. There are a few others that you should know as a dog owner, which include (but aren’t limited to):
If you’re looking for delicious dog food that’s packed full of nutritious, whole ingredients, check out our grain-free dog food and healthy dog treats.
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