As much fun as it is, owning a pet is really hard. For one, the second you adopt a puppy, you are in charge of its health. And while you can’t protect them from all sicknesses and diseases, you can make sure they are living a life as healthy as possible.
For most dog owners, the best way to do that is to take full control of their diet. When you decide to make your own dog food, you are in charge of every single thing they eat. That way, you can put in food that they like and that you know is healthy and beneficial for them.
With that said, not all ingredients that we put in our human food are fit for dogs. And one of these food items is garlic. Even in small amounts, garlic can be toxic to dogs and can cause a wide range of health complications.
For this reason, we highly recommend that you keep your dog as far away from garlic as possible.
So, what about if you cook it? There are some food items that are unsafe raw and safe when cooked, so maybe garlic may have the same properties. And if you’re trying to find out if you can cook or roast some garlic cloves to add some aroma to your dog’s regular meals, you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s find out whether or not cooked garlic is safe for dogs, why garlic isn’t ideal for your dog, and how much you have to feed them before they can start experiencing symptoms of garlic poisoning.
For more info on how and why garlic is toxic for dogs, check out this article from For more info on how and why garlic is toxic for dogs, check out this article: whatthepup.spotandtango.com/is-garlic-bad-for-dogs/
Can I Give My Dogs Cooked Garlic?
Keep in mind that all forms of garlic are bad for dogs. So, whether they are munching on a raw clove, a roasted clove, or even some parts of the plant, they can experience symptoms of garlic poisoning. This isn’t just for garlic, either.
Along with garlic, all members of the allium family are toxic. That includes onions, chives, leeks, and shallots. So, if you have these ingredients in your kitchen or if you have these plants in your garden, we highly recommend keeping your dog as far away from them as possible.
What Makes Garlic Toxic For Dogs?
The reason garlic and the members of the allium family are toxic for dogs is the thiosulfates in the herbs. This is a compound that is completely safe for humans but, in specific amounts, can be toxic to your dogs. Thiosulfates target the red blood cells of the body, which are vital for many bodily functions.
The red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to different parts of the body. So, if they are damaged, your dog can exhibit a wide range of health complications.
In the worst cases, eating too much garlic can cause your dog to develop hemolytic anemia. This is a very serious condition as it can cause different symptoms. If your dog has hemolytic anemia, it can exhibit lethargy, depression, weakness, and a wide range of other problems.
However, in lighter cases of garlic poisoning, your dog still won’t have a good time. Just like other poisonous foods, garlic poisoning can lead to a range of symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and even dehydration, and abdominal pain.
Since garlic can cause so many problems in dogs, it’s best to keep the ingredient away from them.
How Much Garlic Is Toxic For Dogs?
For most dogs, 15-30 grams of garlic per kilogram of body weight is what they need to consume for it to be toxic. And since one clove of garlic is one 3-7 grams, you need a fair amount of garlic to cause symptoms in a dog. This has led a lot of people who believe that giving their dog small amounts of garlic is good and safe. However, keep in mind that all dogs are different. For example, Asian breeds are known to be more sensitive to garlic poisoning than other dogs. On top of that, every single dog is different so while some dogs can handle a bit of garlic in their food, other dogs won’t.
Feeding your dog garlic and other members of the allium family poses significant risks. And for this reason, we highly recommend reducing that risk by taking garlic out of your dog’s diet whatsoever.
There may be some claims that garlic supplements can prevent ticks and fleas. However, none of these studies have produced enough results for us to conclusively say that these benefits exist.
Conclusion
If you’re wondering what to put in your dog’s food, we recommend staying away from garlic. While some dogs can handle it, garlic can be very poisonous for dogs and lead to a wide range of health complications.
So, to stay on the safer side, make sure that the garlic and onions in your kitchen are firmly out of your dog’s reach.