Garlic - good or bad?

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

Ok I am in the process of making some dried liver treats for my yorkies....and a lot of recipes online list garlic powder so i started researching garlics and dogs...i found this article that suggest that garlic is actually good...so now i am a bit confused...

Garlic: A Long List of Benefits

Life many powerful herbs, garlic has been tested for a vast array of medical conditions. The following list includes the most common applications for dogs. Garlic has a high sulfur content, and it is thought that the sulfur, excreted through the dog's skin, repels fleas, ticks, mites and other biting insects. The sulfur excretion can also help rid the dog of bacterial or fungal microbes that may be present on the skin, helping to heal itching, irritated skin.
Fleas aren't the only pests put off by garlic. Worms in the digestive tract are repelled by garlic. In a dog that has had repeated infestations of worms, garlic can be fed once or twice a week as a preventative.
Garlic is also a potent anti-fungal agent. It can be used topically on fungal skin infections.
Sulfur excretion also occurs in the dog's lungs, making garlic a strong expectorant. It encourages the expulsion of irritants such as dust, spores and pollen from the lungs, and helps kill any bacteria that may be present in the lungs. This makes it a perfect remedy for hay fever, seasonal allergies, kennel cough, or any other respiratory problems.
Garlic also kills bacteria internally. Any conditions or infections that are caused by bacteria, internal and external, can be treated with garlic supplementation. It can also help prevent wounds from becoming infected.
Owners of diabetic dogs, take note: Animal and human studies have shown that garlic can reduce blood-sugar levels. Researchers noted an increase in serum insulin and improvement in liver glycogen storage after garlic administration.
In humans, garlic's most publicized successes have concerned its ability to lower blood cholesterol and prevent blood clotting. Because it improves circulation, dogs who suffer from arthritis will benefit from periodic garlic supplementation.
Garlic also promotes the production of white blood cells, thus strengthening the dog's resistance to infection of all kinds. That makes it a powerful treatment for dogs with low or compromised immunity (such as hunting dogs that are worked heavily in cold and wet weather, or show dogs that are taken to numerous shows or competitions). This would include exhaustion and other nonspecific conditions associated with a subtle decline in health. Garlic can help bolster an immune response following exposure to strange dogs.
Immune system support is also helpful for newborn puppies and their mothers. In this case, a smaller dose of garlic would be fed to the mother. Garlic is passed through her milk to the puppies, benefiting both by fighting infections. Due to this antibacterial action, as well as its ability to support digestive function, garlic combats diarrhea in puppies.
Human studies have demonstrated that allicin, the 'active ingredient' in garlic, increases the levels of two important antioxidant enzymes in the blood: catylase and glutathione peroxidase, confirming the antioxidant and free-radical scavenging potential of allicin.
Garlic has been shown to help re-colonize bacteria in the gut, so garlic supplementation can be beneficial for any dog that has been treated with conventional antibiotics, which can wipe out 'good' gut bacteria.
Garlic is widely thought to have anti-cancer properties. The research is promising enough that garlic is recommended for any dog with cancer.
If you feed dried garlic, whether in a powdered or granulated form, the important thing is to get garlic that has not been heat-treated. Also, if you are taking garlic tablets, it is important to know whether your brand is actually dissolving after you take it. Click here to do a simple home test you can do now, to test your garlic supplement, and other vitamins!
Fresh garlic is the least expensive option, and is the most potent form of the herb. But not everyone is willing to spend time chopping it up for their dogs to eat, and not all dogs will eat it, even if it is mixed into their food. You may have to experiment a little to determine which form is most palatable for your dog. The fussiest eaters may benefit from pure, cold-processed garlic oil, which several manufacturers produce in gelatin capsules.
Begin with a low dose, introducing garlic in increasing amounts over a week or two until you are feeding the entire dose. According to Self, an average dose of garlic for large dogs should be about one fresh, crushed garlic clove per day. If you feed pure, cold-pressed garlic powder or granules, the equivalent is about a half-teaspoon. The suggestion for medium-sized dogs is half a clove (or 1/4 teaspoon of powder); for small dogs, give just a quarter clove (or a pinch or two of the powder).
As with any drug or herb, it's important to watch for any sensitivities particular in your dog's body. Some herbalists say that a high daily dose of fresh garlic, given for long periods of time, can deplete the intestinal flora. If the condition you are treating is seasonal, or if the treatment is successful, slowly decrease the dose after the dog improves and maintains the improvement.
If you are looking for a natural garlic-based flea and tick preventative during this season, we recommend Flea Free. Click here to learn all about this popular product line, and how it can help your pets, and even YOU! My Boxers are given crushed garlic (from the supermarket) and Flea Free Food Supplement, alternately.

[YorkOfTheShire]

From what I've read and heard, garlic is only bad if fed pure (giving doggy a garlic clove or garlic bits). Garlic that is in treats and dog foods has been known to be *very* beneficial, as the garlic itself has a different composition when cooked, baked and mingled with other ingredients.

Garlic in purest form is bad because it's pretty high in sulfur and can cause different blood issues and GI tract problems.

...I'm not the be all and end all of garlic knowledge though, so don't take my word for it. I'd contact your vet and discuss it with them, to see what they recommend for your specific dog. Apart from you...the person who should know your dog the best is his or her vet. Some dogs (especially little ones like Yorkies) are more susceptible to the dangers of garlic than other breeds.

[Jacksmom052709]

Interesting because I thought garlic was on the no-no list along with grapes, raisins, and onions to name a few.

[Britster]

This stuff always confuses me. I think garlic in small amounts is fine, and like said above, as long as you are not giving a dog, like, a whole garlic clove or garlic bits, it's okay. Then again, avacado's are on the no-no list and the food Avoderm is focused on avacado's, so who knows. I prefer to avoid them when I can.

[KazzyK810]

It's not a risk I'd be willing to take, especially with a dog the size of a yorkie.

[YorkOfTheShire]

Originally Posted by KazzyK810

It's not a risk I'd be willing to take, especially with a dog the size of a yorkie.

I have to say I agree with that. While I have heard it's fine when in treats and foods...I still say don't purposely give it to your pet(s). Especially cats (they have way more problems with garlic than dogs do). Small dogs are already prone to GI issues. Garlic may very well be safe when fed in certain things, and I'm sure there is some truth to these findings. However...if something is stated to be bad for dogs in any way...by any reliable source, I usually steer clear of it. That being said, I have heard bully sticks are bad for dogs....I give them to ours anyway because they don't have any ill effects from them! I just take them away from them and throw them in the outdoor trash bin when they chew them down to a certain length.

[Tessa327]

Originally Posted by Britster

This stuff always confuses me. I think garlic in small amounts is fine, and like said above, as long as you are not giving a dog, like, a whole garlic clove or garlic bits, it's okay. Then again, avacado's are on the no-no list and the food Avoderm is focused on avacado's, so who knows. I prefer to avoid them when I can.

I would have to agree here. Anything that is a potential risk to my girls, I would do away with all together. Cliche as it may sound, I rather be safe than sorry.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

Hi Mary, nice to see you here! Hope you all is well.

I'm no expert but from my understanding, the garlic that is used in pet foods is not the same as fresh garlic that we have access to. It is "processed" for lack of a better description so it is not harmful to pets.

I just wouldn't take any chances anyhow. I don't think that the little munchkins would miss it. If I have used fresh garlic in anything, I won't give any bits to mine.

[Taryn0405]

I'm glad this thread was started. I was at a dog food store and saw Honest Kitchen. And in most of their foods, I noticed garlic.

[azkaty]

I have read in several places that garlic and onions are no-no's.

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

so with that being said....garlic powder would be a no-no?

[Nancy1999]

Garlic and onions are in the same family, but onions were considered much more dangerous. This use to be the going thought.

WARNING!
ONIONS are toxic to your dog!
Onions are toxic to dogs. The toxicity is dose dependent, so the bigger the animal, the more onion need be consumed to cause a toxicity. Onion toxicity causes a Heinz body anemia. Heinz bodies are small bubble-like projections which protrude from a red blood cell and can be seen when the cells are stained. This "bubble" is a weak spot in the red blood cell and, therefore, the cell has a decreased life-span and ruptures prematurely.
If numerous red cells are affected and rupture, anemia can result. It is a form of hemolytic anemia. Onions are only one of the substances which can cause Heinz body anemia. Other substances such as Acetominophen (Tylenol) and benzocaine-containing topical preparations can also cause Heinz body anemia in the dog.The toxic effect of the onions are the same whether the product is raw, cooked or dehydrated. The hemolytic episode usually occurs several days after onion ingestion (lowest hematocrit around day 5 post ingestion). Daily feeding of onions could have a cumulative effect due to ongoing formation of Heinz bodies versus a single exposure with a wide gap until the next exposure, allowing the bone marrow time to regenerate the prematurely destroyed red cells.

The cat is even more susceptible. Recently, Gerber began to add onion powder to all its meat baby foods. They are labeled as "better tasting". Since baby food is often used in sick cats that are not eating (to stimulate their appetites), there was concern that the onion powder would cause a Heinz body anemia in these cats. Within a week or two of the change, there were numerous reports of Heinz body anemia in cats receiving Gerber baby food in their diets.

I strongly recommend NO ONIONS for dogs. There is no benefit and certainly the potential to cause harm.

Written by Dr. Wendy Wallner, DVM


NOTE: Garlic is safe for your dog used in moderation and can help with a myriad of things such as gas, flea prevention and it has natural antibiotic properties. WARNING! Onions Are Toxic to Dogs

It was thought the amount found in food and snacks were considered safe, however, it was known that a dog who ate a whole bottle of garlic powder did die. Recently, Ellie May posted a study that suggests we need to rethink garlic again. I can't find the study now, but maybe Ellie May will post. Anyway, it sounds like to be extra safe do not feed your dog any foods with garlic fresh or powdered.

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

and here is a picture of 1lb of dried liver treats I just got done making...approximately 2 hours to complete...and the furbutts love them!

[Tessa327]

Originally Posted by xxmxaxrxyxx

and here is a picture of 1lb of dried liver treats I just got done making...approximately 2 hours to complete...and the furbutts love them!

Sweet. Glad you decided against adding the garlic. You played it safe and god forbid if anything was to happen to them have you done otherwise. I'm sure they went crazy at the smell of liver (although not too fond of it myself)! Anything homemade is a hit at ours

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by xxmxaxrxyxx

and here is a picture of 1lb of dried liver treats I just got done making...approximately 2 hours to complete...and the furbutts love them!

I make these for Joey and the recipe did call for garlic, but I omitted it, he didn't seem to miss it.