What is Garlic Poisoning?
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 some have touted garlic as an aid to the digestive system and even as a dewormer in the past.
Garlic, which is a member of the Allium family, is poisonous to dogs, especially in powdered form, such as in seasonings. Japanese dogs (Akita, Japanese Spitz, Shiba Inu) seem to be more adversely affected by garlic, but the reason is unclear. Some experts believe it is because of the high red blood cell count and lower levels of glutathione (tripeptide protein) and potassium, which is hereditary in these breeds.
Garlic 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, it is simply not a safe practice. Every individual metabolises garlic at a different rate and some are more susceptible than others. 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? The simple answer is, yes, all of these foods are potentially dangerous. 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 well established, and safe consumption has not been proven.
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Symptoms of Garlic Poisoning in Dogs
The symptoms depend on the amount of garlic consumed and the size of your dog. Some of the most common symptoms are:
- Abdominal tenderness and cramping
- Anemia
- Anorexia
- Bad breath
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Collapse
- Dehydration
- Lack of muscle coordination (ataxia)
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Drooling
- Elevated heart and respiratory rate
- Exercise intolerance
- Generalized weakness
- Lethargy
- Liver and spleen inflammation (hepatosplenomegaly)
- Nausea
- Pale gums
- Red or brown urine
- Seizures
- Trouble breathing (dyspnea)
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)
Causes of Garlic Poisoning in Dogs
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. Sauces prepared with garlic are another no-no for canines. The cooking and heating up of the garlic may 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 calorific human food in general).
It is also possible that your dog may find and consume garlic growing wild somewhere, and if you have not seen them do this, diagnosis is tricky 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.
Diagnosis of Garlic Poisoning in Dogs
Diagnosing garlic poisoning can be done with a physical examination, lab tests, and medical history. The physical examination includes the taking of 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 mucus membrane color. 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.
Treatment of Garlic Poisoning in Dogs
The most important treatment your dog will need is to rid the body of the toxin by inducing vomiting and administering activated charcoal if the garlic was recently consumed. The charcoal will bind to the poison to aid in its 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 digestive system with a saline solution lavage. In addition, IV fluids and oxygen therapy will often be administered. To treat severe anemia, the veterinarian may need to perform a blood transfusion.
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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Recovery of Garlic Poisoning in Dogs
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 medication for one to two weeks, but be sure to follow the veterinarian's instructions. Be sure to follow up with your veterinarian and return to the clinic for a repeat blood test as directed by your veterinarian.
Garlic Poisoning Average Cost
From 78 quotes ranging from $300 - $1,500
Average Cost
$1,100
Top
Garlic Poisoning Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Labrador Retriever
Luna
8 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Drinking Water
Our 8 year old black lab has eaten some garlic and green onion pieces that were in a slow cooker for hours, yesterday. There were two cloves, crushed and three green onion stocks in total. I know she didn't get all of it. She weighs 75lbs, she started vomiting last night, and is not interested in food and continues to vomit, but it is cery mucousy. Should we be seeing our vet?
Sept. 19, 2017
1 Recommendations
It is good that Luna has vomited, I hope you recognised some of the vomit as being the scraps from the slow cooker; if she brought up what she ate from the slow cooker she may just now have a dodgy tummy. Both garlic and onions can cause damage to red blood cells which reduces the body's ability to carry oxygen around the body; looking for pale gums is important and ensuring that she is hydrated. It would be best to visit your Veterinarian to be on the safe side, but at a minimum keep an eye on her and check her gums. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Sept. 19, 2017
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Cavapoo
Harley
1
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
My Cavapoo sneakily licked the left overs of my dinner up 2 nights ago, there were chunks of garlic in it. He's being himself however he was sick yesterday morning. He's not been sick since, should I still take him to the vet?
Sept. 15, 2017
2 Recommendations
Garlic poisoning (five times more poisonous than onion) decreases with cooking; severe garlic poisoning leads to anaemia which lowers the body’s ability to carry oxygen around the body, check Harley’s gums to see if they are pale or white, if so you should visit your Veterinarian otherwise keep a close eye on him for the next few days. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Sept. 15, 2017
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Boerboel
Revel
8 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Bad Breath
Gagging
Bumps And Scabs
Anemia
My dog is an 8 month old, 103 lb., in tact male Boerboel. He's been presenting with raised bumps on his skin all over his body, but only on areas with fur (i.e. not on his stomach) for 1 month, 3 weeks duration. They began on his head suddenly, and have spread everywhere throughout this time. At times I thought the appearance of the bumps had diminished slightly, but it's difficult to tell a difference between 500 bumps or 489.
The bumps have never seemed to cause him any discomfort or pain, and also hasn't been scratching at them at all. I originally thought they were hives, but they never seemed fluid filled. They're scabby and small.
They originally presented around the same time as his vaccines so I thought that could be related. I've seen 2 different holistic veterinarians about this issue and still don't know what's going on.
I've been bathing him once every morning with enzymatic shampoo & rinse for 4 days with no change in the bumps.
- CBC at the vet revealed that he is anemic
- I've never been able to pinpoint things that make them better or worse
- He is fed a raw diet of primarily Small Batch beef patties. I saw that garlic is an ingredient in the food , although it's near the end of the list.
I know this is a stretch, but as you know dogs react differently and can be more sensitive to certain things and at low doses exposure to garlic over an extended period of time could make sense?
He's been on this dog food for about 2 1/2 months. I wash his bedding with all natural additive free laundry soap.
I just don't know what to do, and it hurts to see my pup with this constant inflammation of sorts.
Thank you so much for your time and reading through this long winded description. I really appreciate any input you have on the issue!
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
Luckily these bumps do not seem to be causing Revel any problems (itching, oozing lesions etc…); the cause may be due to inflammatory cells between the layers of the skin, allergies among other causes. As for your question on garlic: garlic causes destruction of red blood cells in the circulatory system and can be deadly when consumed in higher amounts; small amounts (which may be tolerated, are not ideal), garlic like any other ingredient may cause a food allergy or a reaction. You should try to move Revel off patties and on to a complete diet as there may be some nutrition that he is missing out on and some store bought patties may have some additives in them which dogs may be sensitive too; try moving him over to a sensitive diet to see if there is any improvement in these bumps. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Paterdale
Poppy
1 Year
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargic
After reading garlic would help fight fleas l added some to my dogs food for 3/4 days, about 2 weeks ago. I now know it's poisonous!! She has shown no symptoms so far, but is a little quieter than normal.. Do l need to get her checked?
July 26, 2017
1 Recommendations
Whilst garlic is poisonous for dogs and is five times more poisonous than onions, it seems like the garlic hasn’t affected Poppy as symptoms of garlic poisoning would have been evident before now; symptoms normally consist of pale gums, drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, abdominal pain and other symptoms. Just keep an eye on her and if you notice anything listed on this page visit your Veterinarian; also there is a lot of misguided information online by self proclaimed ‘experts’, it is always best to verify any information with your Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Our 7 yr old lab had to be put down last year he wouldn’t eat but didn’t have any other symptoms. The vet said that his liver function tests were off the chart. I carry a lot of guilt because I gave him left over garlic potatoes not realizing that they would hurt him. Don’t give garlic or potatoes to your dog!
Sept. 8, 2018
Sandy N.
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Garlic Poisoning Average Cost
From 78 quotes ranging from $300 - $1,500
Average Cost
$1,100
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