Garlic for Dogs? Yes!

Dogs love stinky superfoods from garlic to green tripe. However, there is some confusion about the benefits of garlic for dogs. Garlic has amazing healing properties for humans, so what about for our canine friends?  

Turns out, garlic used in moderation can be equally beneficial for dogs as it is for us humans. Garlic has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties; it can aid in digestion and cardiovascular health; it helps to reduce or eliminate parasites and fleas, and garlic can stimulate your pup's immune system. However, the benefits of garlic turn to risks at high dosages. In very large quantities, garlic can cause oxidative stress to red blood cells. Safe recommendations for beneficial doses of garlic range from 1/8 of a teaspoon of garlic powder per pound of food 3-4 times per week (from Gregory Tilford in Herbs for Pets: The Natural Way to Enhance Your Pet's Life) to 1/2 to 3 cloves of garlic per day, depending upon body weight (Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats by Dr. Richard Pitcairn). At Longevity, we include a moderate amount of fresh raw garlic in our food that will offer beneficial medicinal effects without approaching levels of toxicity. 

As a special note, according to the Animal Poison Control Center, certain canine breeds may be more sensitive to garlic's negative effects including Japanese breeds such as Akitas and Shiba Inus. In addition, puppies younger than 8 weeks of age should not be given garlic nor should dogs with anemia. Cats are also more sensitive to garlic than dogs, so their intake should be much less. Moderate and sensible use of garlic with your dog will offer a multitude of healthy benefits for overall wellness and longevity.