Dogs · Guide
Can Dogs Eat Garlic?
No, garlic is poisonous to dogs in any form. Here is how it harms the blood, what signs to watch for, and what to do if your dog ate garlic bread or garlicky food.
No, dogs should not eat garlic. It is poisonous to dogs in every form: raw, cooked, baked, or powdered. Garlic harms a dog’s red blood cells and can lead to anemia, which means the blood can’t carry enough oxygen. The AKC says no amount should be considered safe.
Why is garlic bad for dogs?
Garlic belongs to the Allium family, along with onions, chives, and leeks. Pet Poison Helpline says all of these are poisonous to dogs. Garlic contains sulfur compounds that damage red blood cells. The damaged cells break apart, and the dog becomes anemic.
Garlic is stronger than onion. The Merck Veterinary Manual says it is about 3 to 5 times more toxic. Dried and powdered garlic is the most concentrated. That means a little of it holds a lot of garlic.
Does cooking make garlic safe for dogs?
No. Merck lists raw, cooked, and dried garlic as toxic. The AKC adds that garlic baked into bread or mixed into sauces still has the compounds that harm dogs.
What signs show a dog ate garlic?
The first signs are often vomiting or diarrhea within hours. The blood damage comes later. The AKC says serious signs can show up 2 to 5 days after eating, and Merck says signs usually appear a few days after the garlic was eaten. Watch for:
- Tiredness or weakness
- Not wanting to eat
- Pale or yellow gums
- Fast breathing or a fast heartbeat
- Red or dark urine
- Collapse
What should I do if my dog ate garlic?
Call your vet or a hotline right away. Tell them what your dog ate, about how much, and when. Your dog’s size matters, and so does the form of garlic. Vets work fastest when the garlic was eaten recently. Merck says treatment starts by getting the garlic out of the stomach, and it can include oxygen, a blood transfusion, and IV fluids for dogs that become very sick.
Other kinds of garlic food
Can dogs eat garlic bread?
No. Garlic bread has garlic baked in, and baking does not remove the harm. It is also full of butter and oil. The AKC says a small amount, such as a bite of garlic toast, rarely causes life-threatening problems. Even so, don’t give it, and call your vet if your dog ate more than a bite.
Can dogs eat food with garlic in it?
No. This covers pasta sauce, pizza crust, soup, stir-fry, and meat that was cooked with garlic. The AKC says dogs should not eat garlic in any form, including as an ingredient in other foods. Check labels, too. Garlic powder is common in seasoning mixes and snacks.
Can dogs have chicken broth with garlic?
No. Broth with garlic in it is still a garlic food. Plain chicken broth is a different question, and it may also be salty. If a recipe lists garlic or garlic powder, keep it away from your dog.
How can I keep my dog away from garlic?
- Keep garlic bread, leftovers, and plates out of reach.
- Don’t feed table scraps from savory meals.
- Read the labels on broth, sauces, and treats.
- Don’t use garlic as a home flea remedy.
What can I give my dog instead?
Plain, dog-safe foods are better choices. Try a few blueberries or a small piece of cooked chicken with nothing added. Treats should be no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily calories. See our guide to foods that are toxic to dogs for more things to keep out of reach.
Common questions
Is garlic powder worse than fresh garlic for dogs?
Yes, it can be. The Merck Veterinary Manual points to dried and powdered forms as the most concentrated, so a small amount carries more garlic than a fresh clove.
Is garlic safe for dogs in flea treatments or supplements?
The AKC says garlic flea remedies are not recommended and that there is not enough evidence they work. Ask your vet about flea products that have been tested for dogs.
Are some dogs more at risk from garlic?
Pet Poison Helpline says some Japanese breeds, such as Akitas and Shiba Inus, are especially sensitive to garlic. The AKC also notes that small amounts have made dogs of all sizes sick.
How long after eating garlic will my dog get sick?
Upset stomach can show up within hours. The serious blood problems often take a few days to show, so call your vet right away instead of waiting.