The Hidden Danger in Your Kitchen Bowl
If you ask, 'Can dogs eat garlic?', the answer is simply a BIG NO. Canine consumption of garlic-containing foods is definitely not a good idea. No, and that is very definite. Garlic is the humans' best friend, with its pleasant smell, its nice taste, and the gentle hotness it imparts to food. But for dogs, the sharing of what seems harmless can be really harmful.
A lot of people consider it a matter of time that if humans can eat something, dogs can eat it too; after all, it's only "a tiny piece" or "the remains from my plate". It would surely feel like you are loving them up, treating them like family. But every so often, by doing so, you are unconsciously giving them something that is intolerable to their body. Garlic is never to be found on the dog's eating list, whatever the case may be: raw, cooked, powdered, or seasoned. The unforgivable fact is that garlic is poisonous to dogs.
Let’s find out together what makes it so dangerous, how much of it can be bad, what actions to take if your dog has accidentally eaten some, and our suggestion for dog food and treats that are free of garlic to keep your pooch fit and content.
Visit Pet Bites to discover and purchase our most popular dog food and treat options and together help your pet make safe and wise choices.
Why Garlic Isn’t as Harmless as It Seems
Your dog's diet could probably include the occasional meat, bread, or even leftover food. Quite a lot in food, but if that food has garlic, things go wrong. Garlic is one of the big Allium players, besides the onions, leeks, and chives, and the dogs' sensitivity to these veggies is much higher than that of the humans.
The main thing that happened when eating garlic was that the red blood cells of the dog's body got damaged, and the medical term for this condition is explained as 'haemolytic anaemia'.
It does not make any difference if the garlic has been cooked or not. The harmful substances remain in garlic, and thus cooking does not eliminate its toxicity.
The Love That Feeds – But Sometimes Hurts
We definitely want to share everything with our dogs. They are always there around us; every mealtime is exciting for them, and so they are wagging their tails and their eyes are gleaming. We consider a little bit of our meal in their bowl as a sign of love. Feeding our human food to dogs just because they are cute can turn out to be very harmful in the long run. That little piece of garlic bread or the dish with garlic may be feeling loving, but actually, it is a danger to the dog’s body.
Giving a dog food with garlic means internal damage risk, although they look perfectly healthy. The damage starts quietly and slowly grows until symptoms are unnoticed. Just the very feeding of your dog with the tasty treats he has been longing for can, unintentionally, turn out to be the main reason for his discomfort.
What Happens Inside Your Dog’s Body When They Eat Garlic
The natural goodness of garlic is beyond the dog's system's threshold for tolerance. Red blood cells are the main target of these compounds, and red blood cells are the ones that transport oxygen throughout the body. The moment those cells are impaired, the cells’ destruction occurs at a rate faster than the body’s compensatory mechanism can deal with, thereby resulting in a decline in oxygen levels.
Once garlic is consumed, you dogs might start showing unusual signs. Dogs might no longer be interested in sharing their food and playing with you; it is not that they are irritable, but their organism is putting up quite a fight to get rid of the toxin.
Furthermore, garlic most of the time causes stomach trouble, which may result in the dog producing excess saliva, throwing up, or having loose stools. It is just the dog’s body trying hard to eliminate the toxic substance.
The most difficult part of the whole process is the fact that such signs do not necessarily appear immediately. There are occasions when a dog can be completely normal for around two days after ingesting something with garlic in it. However, the harm done is slowly increasing, and eventually your dog is just not the same anymore. This is the very sad part of garlic poisoning, the process is silent; it creeps in and is very often realised too late.
But what about when you have too little garlic?
It’s quite simple to believe that a little taste would not be harmful at all. After all, the garlic that is added to our food is almost imperceptible to us. However, for dogs, such a tiny quantity can be enough to wreak some bad effects. There is no safe or suggested amount of garlic for dogs – their physiology is just not suitable for it. A small dose can, especially when given frequently over time, gradually accumulate and result in toxicity.
A clove alone can corrupt the blood system of a tiny dog, thereby destroying its red blood cells and incapacitating its oxygen-carrying capability. And raw garlic isn’t the only one that is a danger; all of the other forms, such as powdered garlic, garlic salt, sauces, or even garlic bread, can give the same harmful effect and to the same extent.
Thus, the question "Can a dog eat garlic bread?" should always be answered with a definite no. The garlic and the additional fats, oils, and seasonings together make it a hazardous situation that is not worth taking. Your dog may find it very appetising, but it's much safer to give dogs their approved treats that love them back and not the ones that silently harm them.
Symptoms of Garlic Poisoning in Dogs
Early Warning Signs to Watch For
Garlic poisoning in dogs could be a slow process leading to death, and thus, the detection will not be easy. Your dog might have just tasted something garlic-flavoured and would still appear totally fine, perhaps even wagging its tail as if nothing happened. The dog's health might, however, be deteriorating in silence.
Stay alert for a few days. The very first signals might be mild; your pet may lose interest in food, show slight discomfort, or have digestive problems. You could observe weak vomiting, loose stools, or more than normal salivation. At times, they just appear somewhat off, not as active as before, not playing as much, or being sleepier than usual.
When it becomes an emergency
The situation may turn grave if the issue persists. The disintegration of red blood cells might cause your pet to exhibit more intense signs. The colour of the gums may get affected; they are likely to become pale or even yellowish. The dog's rate of breathing may increase, and they may even have a heart rate that hastens. In some cases, they start producing dark or reddish urine, which is an indicator that the destruction of their blood cells is taking place in their bodies.
In extremely rare cases, the pet could exhibit total exhaustion; he might become totally motionless or even collapse. In such cases, if you see any of these symptoms, do not wait. Right away, take your pet to the closest veterinary clinic without any holdup.
A vet is capable of conducting tests, giving IV fluids, and supporting your dog's red blood cells to get through the injury. The quicker you do it, the greater the chance your pet has to regain health completely.
Fantastic variety of best-selling dog food and dog treats.
At Pet Bites we always regard the well-being of pets as the foremost concern and thus try to provide them happiness, health, and security. All the dog foods and dog treats from our handpicked collection are devoid of harmful ingredients like garlic and onion and instead, incorporate premium and dog-friendly nutrition.
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Dry Dog Food – The dry dog food is, on the whole, a well-balanced and practical alternative to feeding puppies as well as adult dogs regardless of their sizes. Its purpose is to improve your dog’s general health, and at the same time, it provides the necessary nutrients in a form that is easily storable and served.
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Grain-free dog food – Here, main ingredients do not include the most commonly used grains that are wheat, corn, rice, and barley. This kind of diet is mainly given to dogs who suffer from grain allergies or have poor tolerances to grains.
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Training Treats – Training treats are specifically made to enable the training of your dog through giving out fast and yummy treats that act as a reinforcing consequence to good behaviour. Usually, these treats are tiny, soft, and easy to swallow, so they are ideal for daily consumption in training sessions.
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Dental & Chew Treats – Dental and chew treats are intended for keeping dogs' oral health in good condition mainly by the action of chewing, which cleans teeth and freshens up the breath.
Making a selection from these groups of products means that you are providing your dog with food that is specially designed for his needs and not for the taste of the human beings. It also enables you to avoid the hidden dangers because the premium brands are always very clear about what their products contain.
Love Should Never Harm
Feeding your dog is not simply a matter of putting food into a bowl; it is a matter of keeping a life safe. The trust between you and your dog is the foundation of the relationship: you give them protection, and they in turn love you without asking for anything.
By drawing the line at toxic foods such as garlic, onions, garlic bread, chocolates, etc., you are not being unkind. You are proving your love.
And, if you are not sure, we have a collection of dog food & treats from the most trusted and reputable brands, which are harmless and also certified food for your dogs.
So next time, when your dog looks up at you with those big, eager eyes and wants to have a bite from your meal, stop for a moment; sometimes love means such things as saying no, but it is always for their good.
Check out the top-selling dog foods & dog treats online at Pet Bites and let your dog be casual with the allowed, loving, safe bites.
