Garlic adds delightful flavor to many dishes and boasts numerous health benefits for humans, but for our dogs garlic and other members of the allium family—like onions, scallions, and chives—are considered toxic.
Garlic is one of the more toxic members of the allium family for dogs. Toxic effects can occur at relatively low doses, such as 5 grams of garlic per kilogram of body weight. Garlic powder, which is more potent than fresh garlic, can be found in various food products and should be avoided for dogs. If your dog has ingested any amount of garlic, it's advisable to contact your veterinarian promptly.
Dogs cannot eat garlic even in small quantities. Garlic contains compounds that are harmless to humans but can be detrimental to dogs. These compounds can damage a dog's red blood cells, leading to hemolytic anemia. Dogs may also experience gastrointestinal upset from ingesting garlic, as their digestive systems are not suited to processing it.
All parts of the garlic plant—bulbs, cloves, leaves, and stems—are toxic to dogs. This includes both store-bought garlic and homegrown varieties.
If your dog has ingested any amount of garlic, it's advisable to contact your veterinarian promptly. You can also book an Online Vet Consultation through tailZ app for instant advice from anywhere, anytime.