Garlic Use In Pets

Isn’t Garlic Harmful To Pets?

A few of the products we carry contain garlic. The most asked question we receive about these products is regarding the use of garlic in the products. Due to technology we have a wealth of information at our fingertips…some good, true information… some not so much.

There are many articles available regarding pet food recalls; these articles always include warnings about feeding “human” food to your pet. There are numerous lists available on the internet warning of foods that are supposedly toxic to dogs. Usually very near the top of the list, right along with chocolate is GARLIC. Truth of the matter…garlic is toxic to dogs–IF THEY EAT 50 CLOVES at one sitting. As I have told numerous customers, I would think that if they ate that many cloves of garlic at one sitting, they would likely have a toxic reaction also. Too much of anything can be toxic in some way.

Truth told, when fed in reasonable amounts garlic is a beneficial addition to any diet you feed your pet. Garlic has been used for decades by holistic vets for its natural flea repellent properties; in addition, garlic is a great antioxidant and detoxifier. Garlic also promotes the production of white blood cells, acting as an immune booster for dogs with low or compromised immunity and may benefit dogs with diabetes by helping reduce blood-sugar levels.

“It is not the substance that defines what is toxic and what isn’t, but the amount.” —- Anonymous

It is suggested that the active component in a clove of garlic is allicin; allicin is the component of garlic that activates its healing properties. When raw garlic is crushed, chopped or chewed alliin, an amino acid found in garlic, comes into contact with alliinase, an enzyme found in garlic. Heating garlic will lessen the medicinal benefits of garlic, air drying or natural dehydration does not. The garlic used in the products we carry is air dried.

Garlic does contain a compound name thiosulphate, this compound is where garlic gets its “bad reputation.” Thiosulphate in “EXTREMELY HIGH” levels can be toxic to pets, causing hemolytic anemia, destroying red blood cells in dogs. Note the emphasis on the words: “extremely high”…to cause anemia your dog would have to ingest up to 50 cloves of garlic in one sitting! If a human ingested that much garlic they would likely experience some adverse reaction also.

People have been feeding garlic to their dogs safely for decades and many healthy pet foods and treats contain small, safe amounts of garlic. When used in moderation garlic can be a healthy supplement. Aside from the natural flea repellent properties, garlic stimulates and supports immune function, triggers gastric juices for better digestion, encourages the growth of good bacteria, prevents infections, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, detoxifies the blood and improves blood sugar levels.