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Many foods that are safe for us are toxic to dogs, so you have to be careful what you feed your little buddy. A debate over whether garlic is poisonous to dogs has many pet parents unsure of the toxicity because of the aid to the digestive system and the antibacterial properties that have been attributed to garlic.
Garlic, which is one of the Allium family, is poisonous to dogs, especially in powdered form, such as in seasonings. Japanese dogs (Akita, Japanese Spitz, Shiba Inu) are more commonly affected by garlic, but the reason is unclear. Some experts believe it is because of a high red blood cell count and low levels of glutathione (tripeptide protein) and potassium, which is hereditary in these breeds. This type of poisoning does major damage to the red blood cells, causes gastrointestinal upset (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), and respiratory problems.
Although many people think it is safe to give their dog small amounts of garlic for its health benefits, the amount that your dog may safely consume may be much less than other dogs, even if they are the same breed and size. The amount of certain proteins and other elements in your dog’s blood is unique and has a significant impact on the amount of garlic that they can eat. It is best not to give your dog garlic and to take them to the veterinarian if you think they have eaten any amount of garlic, even if they show no symptoms.
Is garlic bread bad for dogs? How about spaghetti sauce seasoned with it? Or perhaps eggs with a touch of garlic before scrambling? Garlic (Allium) causes poisoning in dogs, even in small amounts. The consumption of garlic can cause gastrointestinal upset and anemia, and can even be fatal if not treated right away. The sulphuric compounds in the garlic are absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract and changed into reactive oxidants, which damage your dog’s red blood cells. Some experts claim that garlic can be beneficial to your dog’s health, and can be used for flea and worm control as well as anti-bacterial properties. However, the risk of toxicity is still in question, and safe consumption has not been proven.
Garlic Poisoning Average Cost
From 78 quotes ranging from $300 - $1,500
Average Cost
$1,100
The symptoms depend on the amount of garlic consumed and the size of your dog. Some of the most common symptoms are:
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Feeding your dog table scraps that have been seasoned with garlic powder is one of the most common causes of garlic poisoning. Healthy vegetables are no longer safe for your dog after garlic has been used in the cooking process. Some pet parents wonder if dogs can eat garlic bread as the amount of garlic may be minimal. The answer is no. Not only is the garlic added to the bread dangerous, but the yeasty dough can expand in the stomach, causing gastrointestinal symptoms. Sauces prepared with garlic are another no-no for canines. The heating up of the garlic can intensify the toxicity.
It is best not to share your food with your dog because there are other health concerns that can come from giving your dog human food, such as pancreatitis (from fatty food) and obesity (from too much human food in general).
It is also possible that your dog may find and consume garlic growing wild somewhere, and this is the hardest to diagnose because you will not even know that they have eaten anything toxic until symptoms begin. You should always keep your dog within view while you are anywhere besides your own yard.
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Diagnosing garlic poisoning can be done with a physical examination, lab tests, and medical history. The physical examination includes your dog’s body temperature, blood pressure, respiration rate, reflexes, height, weight, and abdominal palpation. Your veterinarian will pay close attention to your dog’s breathing, heart rate, and skin tone. You should describe the symptoms you have noticed and how long they have been going on, recent illnesses and injuries, vaccination record, and abnormal behavior.
Several tests will be performed on your dog to confirm garlic toxicosis, such as packed cell volume, complete blood cell count (CBC), hemoglobin concentration, biochemistry analysis, arterial blood gas, blood glucose levels, and urinalysis. Based on what the tests show, the veterinarian may also perform a blood clotting test and liver biopsy to rule out other diseases or conditions. An abdominal radiograph (x-ray), ultrasound, and CT scan may also be used to check your dog’s liver and spleen.
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The most important treatment your dog will need is to rid the body of the toxin by inducing vomiting and administering activated charcoal. The charcoal will bind to the poison to aid in the removal and detoxification. However, if that is unsuccessful, the veterinarian will probably admit your dog to the hospital and flush the toxins out of your dog’s system with a saline solution lavage. In addition, IV fluids and oxygen therapy will be done. To treat the anemia, the veterinarian will perform a blood transfusion and prescribe iron medication.
Before your dog goes home, discuss the at-home care your dog will need. Your vet can instruct you on dietary requirements to aid in a speedy recovery. There may also be exercise restrictions for the first few days or weeks, depending on your best buddy's level of poisoning.
Your vet will also remind you to fence off your garden to keep your pet away from plants that may be toxic and advise you to keep garbage safely secured and out of reach of your curious pet.
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Even though garlic poisoning is a serious condition, it is rare for a dog in good health to die from this, and almost all dogs recover fully with treatment. Once your veterinarian believes the garlic is out of your dog’s system, you will be able to return home, with instructions on how to care for your dog.
You may have to continue to administer iron supplements and antibiotics for one to two weeks, but be sure to follow the veterinarian’s instructions. Iron can also be poisonous to your dog if given the wrong dosage. Be sure to follow up with your veterinarian and return to the clinic for a repeat blood test in about 30 days, or as directed by your veterinarian.
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Garlic Poisoning Average Cost
From 78 quotes ranging from $300 - $1,500
Average Cost
$1,100
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Ask a Vet
mix
Four Months
Unknown severity
5 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
My dog ate a garlic clove and is vomiting now his energy doesn’t seem to have been affected he is still very active but he is vomiting
Dec. 20, 2020
Owner
Dr. Gina U. DVM
5 Recommendations
Hello Thank you for your question. Garlic is toxic to dogs and can cause abnormalities with their red blood cells. I strongly recommend that you have him seen by a veterinarian right away for some labwork and anti-vomiting medications. Good luck.
Jan. 2, 2021
Was this experience helpful?
Lab aussie mix
7 months
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Hello! My dog just ate two pieces of pizza off the counter. This was 15-20 min ago and he's acting fine. Is there anything to worry about?
Sept. 27, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I am sorry for the delay, this platform is not set up for urgent emails. I hope that your dog is okay, and did not suffer any GI upset.
Oct. 10, 2020
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Labrador Retriever
Two Years
Unknown severity
8 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
A small piece of garlic (about the size of your thumbnail, slice not full clove) fell from the table onto the floor. Before I could get it she grabbed it and ate it. It’s been about 1 hour and half and nothing seems different but I am not sure how much garlic is poisonous and what should I do. Please help.
Sept. 26, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
8 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay in my reply, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. I do not think that that small amount of garlic should cause any problems for her. If she is having any signs of vomiting or diarrhea, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 19, 2020
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Shiba Inu
Four Years
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Ate one raw garlic on Wednesday September 23rd.
Sept. 25, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. I hope that your pet is feeling better. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 23, 2020
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Bloodhound mix
3-6 months
Unknown severity
6 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
I fed my dog some stuffed cheesy garlic bread and pizza crust from dominos before I went to sleep. I woke up this morning and he had very runny poop all over the floor and vomited once and everything was digested by the cheesy bread. The cheesy bread didn’t have much cheese on it but it was very greasy. Is that what made him sick and what can I do about it??
Aug. 30, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
6 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Because your puppy is so young, it would be best to have him seen by a veterinarian right away. Young puppies can get dehydrated very quickly if they have severe diarrhea and vomiting. Whether the cheesy bread was just too rich for his system, or whether something else is going on, having him seen by a veterinarian right away would be a good idea. They will be able to examine him and see what treatments he needs so that he feels better again. I hope that everything goes well for him.
Aug. 30, 2020
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No need to say that
Golden Retriever
12 Years
Serious severity
0 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
This is fuuuuuuc**** poisonous for dog. I alway tought it was good, gived him for the last 10 months but 3 days ago, i feed him with 2 cloves of garlic (also 2 each day since 4 days before). This is now is 3th days that he have Diarrhea, problem to breath and drinked water every 20 min. Now at the end of the night, he started to feel better. Breath correctly and didn't really had diarrhea today. There's no doubt garlic is a poisonous food for dog in the long term. That's probably why many studies have not the same results. It was easy to know only because when he farted, each time, there was garlic odour and started to act like this probably 2h after i added garlic in his meat. Believe me, this is poisonous for dog. I tought the oposite for 10 months 3 days ago. Don't feed your dog with garlic. Sorry for my english im french.
No need to say that
Golden Retriever
12 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
This is fuuuuuuc**** poisonous for dog. I alway tought it was good, gived him for the last 10 months but 3 days ago, i feed him with 2 cloves of garlic (also 2 each day since 4 days before). This is now is 3th days that he have Diarrhea, problem to breath and drinked water every 20 min. Now at the end of the night, he started to feel better. Breath correctly and didn't really had diarrhea today. There's no doubt garlic is a poisonous food for dog in the long term. That's probably why many studies have not the same results. It was easy to know only because when he farted, each time, there was garlic odour and started to act like this probably 2h after i added garlic in his meat. Believe me, this is poisonous for dog. I tought the oposite for 10 months 3 days ago. Don't feed your dog with garlic. Sorry for my english im french.
China
toy poodle
6 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
My dog tried to eat a piece of garlic bread earlier today, but I was able to remove it from her mouth before she swallowed it. I'm just worried she may have swallowed some of the garlic. She's only 12 pounds, so I'm really worried about her. Nothing has happened yet, but it's only been a couple of hours. I don't know if I should be taking her to the vet or if the amount she consumed is enough to cause anything.
Cooper
Dachshund
10 Years
Mild severity
1 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
I had two bites of steak left from dinner at outback and gave each of my 2 dogs a piece when i got home. I wasn’t thinking about the garlic butter i added to it. It was the end piece and probably had very little but it was cooked not fresh and I’m not sure if they use power or fresh or both so concentration is unknown. I didn’t even think of it until about an hour later my longhaired dachshund started sneezing several times in a row and licking his nose and lips. He kind of gulped a few times and acted like he might throw up but never did. I initially panicked and gave him half a Benadryl thinking he was might end up having some anaphylactic reaction. As a nurse i know that was stupid. I know onions are toxic but never thought of garlic until now and i put it on everything and they occasionally eat scraps and have never had issues. He’s been laying next to me as usual. I picked him up and holding him and he’s licking his lips again and he sneezed once more. Should I make him vomit? Did I make things worse with the half a Benadryl? Trying not to panic but sort of panicking.
Holly
Staffie
9 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
My 9.5 year old spayed Staffordshire Bull terrier Holly ate some pasta that had been reheated it had roughly 3 days ago. She also ate some grass that made her vomit. She weighs 15.5kg. In the last 24 hours she has had the runs 8 times.. She is drinking a lot of water, and her pee is normal. She has also eaten normally and still energetic Nora self. It is 5 am and will be going to the vet today. She is healthy. What should I expect will she get worse? Thanks for any advice you can give. Patricia
Garlic Poisoning Average Cost
From 78 quotes ranging from $300 - $1,500
Average Cost
$1,100
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