10/08/2026
Yes you can feed your dog garlic 🧄
The confusion stems from garlic belonging to the same family as onions and leeks, which we know are toxic to dogs, this is due to them containing thiosulphate 🧅
This can cause a severe type of anaemia in cats and dogs, however garlic contains a tiny amount of this compound compared to onions 🩸
A study in 2000 carried out by Japanese scientists on 8 dog’s concluded garlic ‘may’ be toxic to dogs. This was based on feeding 8 dogs garlic extract for 7 days 😳
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11108195/
The amount of garlic extract (which is highly concentrated) fed was a huge 😳 An absolutely ridiculous amount, the equivalent of 10-17 cloves (depending on the size of the clove) per day for a 10kg dog 😓
None of the 8 dogs in this study died, none even showed any adverse reactions😅
However the scientists DID find some microscopic changes in some red blood cells, which is what led to their conclusion 😐
A small amount of garlic can in fact provide health benefits 💚
🧄 Immune & Antimicrobial: Provides natural antibiotic, anti fungal and antiviral properties
🧄 Digestive Support: Contains inulin, a prebiotic fibre that promotes healthy gut flora.
🧄 Lymphatic Stimulation: Assists the body in removing waste and cellular debris
🧄 Cardiovascular Health: Can help maintain healthy blood flow
So how much should you feed? 🧐
Around 1/2 - 1 clove per 10kg bodyweight 3-4 times per week.
As with any new food start small and work up so you can monitor.
Crush or chop garlic and leave for 15 mins before serving, this allows the active ingredient, allicin to develop 🧄
🩸There are some breeds that may be more susceptible to thiosulpahte poisoning, these include:
* Japanese Akita Inus
* American Akitas
* Shiba Ines
* Japanese Spitz
It’s also recommended to avoid feeding garlic to puppies under 6 months of age and some dog’s with gut sensitivities who may not tolerate garlic well.
Does your dog eat garlic? Let me know 🐶🧄⬇️
