A small vegetable snack is suitable for dogs. They can get useful vitamins and fiber from plants. But beware! Not all plants are safe for dogs. Bear in mind that certain plants contain toxins, and dogs do not have a digestive system for many plant-based ingredients. What about garlic? It has a potent smell that may appeal to your dog, but can dogs eat garlic? Today, we are going to address this key issue that dog owners want to know about.
Is Garlic Safe For Dogs?
Can dogs eat garlic? Experts say that dogs can not eat garlic. So, remember that garlic should not find a place in your dog bowl. There are toxic compounds in garlic that can lead to health problems in dogs. This vegetable shares similarities with onions, which also are poisonous to dogs. Both onions and garlic fall under the umbrella of bulbous plants. They are known for their pungent fragrances, which result when the plant is crushed, and a wide range of compounds are released.
And the very substances causing the smell, namely sulfur compounds, are the components responsible for their toxicity. These substances are very poisonous for dogs and cats. Symptoms and health problems can arise from eating even just a small amount of garlic by a dog. So, you should never, under any circumstances, ever give your dog garlic!
Symptoms of Garlic Poisoning in Dogs
While garlic is not as hazardous for dogs as onions, they can still harm your pet. When garlic is chewed, toxic substances are released. It has a very serious hematological effect when ingested. The first symptoms can occur one day or a few days after the dog has eaten some amount of the vegetable. The initial symptoms of poisoning in dogs are the onset of nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea also occurs. This can cause dehydration. Dogs feel sick and do not want to eat, and this can be alarming for the owner.
Onward, the manifestations of pallor emerge. As red blood cells are destroyed, the dog becomes anemic and has pale mucous membranes. It also experiences hyperpnea (increased rate or depth of breathing), tachycardia (accelerated heart rate), icterus (jaundice), and red or brown urine. If your dog has any troubling symptoms, please bring them to the vet. In such conditions dog needs the treatment. Eating garlic can result in such dangerous anemia that the dog may even die.
Summary
Can dogs eat garlic? No! Dogs can not eat garlic because the sulfur toxins in garlic can harm dogs significantly. Owners should ensure that their pets do not eat these ingredients when cooking. Also, being aware of garlic poisoning symptoms may be useful so you can rush to the veterinarian if necessary.
Source
- Cristina Cortinovis, Francesca Caloni (2016). Household Food Items Toxic to Dogs and Cats.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4801869/
