Can Dogs Eat Garlic?
Dogs can’t eat garlic. Garlic is toxic to dogs, and in huge amounts, it can be really dangerous. That said, you don’t need to panic if your dog ate something with a small amount of garlic, like a bite of your pasta or leftovers. The key is to avoid intentionally feeding garlic to your dog and to be cautious with table scraps that contain a lot of garlic, such as garlic bread, pesto, or heavily seasoned dishes.
I already wrote about this when I analyzed whether dogs can eat pesto and warned against sharing leftovers with dogs and avoiding giving them table scraps. With pesto, other than garlic, you also have lots of fat and salt, but all dishes that have garlic should be off-limits to dogs.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that garlic is less toxic than onion; it’s less potent, so you don’t have to worry that much about it, as most dogs hate it. However, you need to be careful how you cook!
Just how toxic is garlic to dogs?
Garlic is pretty toxic to dogs, and it doesn’t take much to cause trouble. The compounds in garlic can damage your dog’s red blood cells, which are super important for carrying oxygen around their body.
Eating even a little garlic might cause an upset stomach, but if your dog eats larger amounts all the time (repeated exposure), that can lead to something much worse—anemia and other serious health issues.
Why is garlic toxic to dogs?
The short answer? It’s all about the compounds in garlic that are toxic to dogs. I’m using the study “Allium species poisoning in dogs and cats” for information, and everything I write here is from the study.
Garlic has organosulfur compounds that, when digested, create oxidants. These oxidants attack your dog’s red blood cells in a few vicious ways:
Garlic also contains allicin and ajoene, which can mess with blood pressure and clotting. These might be good for humans but can make things worse for dogs already struggling with garlic’s toxic effects.
How much garlic is toxic to dogs?
The amount of garlic that’s toxic depends on your dog’s size and how much they eat. Here’s a general idea:
For perspective, even a few cloves of garlic could be harmful, especially for smaller dogs. The safest option? Skip the garlic altogether and stick to treats that are dog-approved!
The good news – your dog won’t eat a few cloves of garlic! If you use too much in your food, that’s when you can have a problem, but unlike onion that’s really toxic to dogs, with garlic there’s less chance that you’ll use that much.
| Dog Size | Weight (kg) | Toxic Amount of Garlic (g) |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 5 kg (11 lbs) | 75 g (3 oz) |
| Medium | 15 kg (33 lbs) | 225 g (8 oz) |
| Large | 30 kg (66 lbs) | 450 g (16 oz) |
| Extra Large | 50 kg (110 lbs) | 750 g (26 oz) |
How is garlic toxicity diagnosed in dogs?
Diagnosing garlic toxicity in dogs involves piecing together the story of what your dog ate, looking for signs of illness, and running specific tests. Here’s a breakdown of how vets figure it out.
1. The first step: What did your dog eat?
Your vet will ask about your dog’s diet and recent meals. They’ll want to know if your dog ate garlic, garlic-containing foods, or related plants like onions, leeks, or chives.
Even foods like garlic bread, pasta sauces, or leftovers could be a problem. Give as much detail as possible about what your dog ate and how much, as that can help your vet pinpoint the cause.
2. What symptoms does your dog have?
Symptoms of garlic toxicity don’t always show up right away. In fact, it might take a few days for your dog to start feeling sick. When they do, common signs include:
These signs tell your vet that something’s wrong and point them in the direction of anemia or red blood cell damage.
3. What do blood tests reveal?
Blood tests are a key part of diagnosing garlic toxicity. Vets look for specific changes in the blood that confirm oxidative damage caused by garlic. These include:
You can read more about hemolytic anemia in dogs from eating garlic here, and read more here about Heinz’s body hemolytic anemia and eccentrocytes after eating chives and garlic.
4. What happens next?
Once garlic toxicity is diagnosed, treatment focuses on supportive care. Depending on how sick your dog is, this might include:
Garlic toxicity is serious, but with fast treatment and the right care, many dogs recover fully.
Can dogs eat garlic powder? How toxic is it for dogs?
No, dogs should not eat garlic powder. Garlic powder is actually more dangerous than fresh garlic because it’s highly concentrated. It has the same toxic compounds as fresh garlic, which can damage your dog’s red blood cells and lead to serious health issues.
The real problem with garlic powder is how concentrated it is. To give you an idea, just 1 gram of garlic powder is roughly equal to 5 grams of fresh garlic. This means that a small amount of garlic powder packs a much bigger punch. Toxicity in dogs typically starts at around 15–30 grams of fresh garlic per kilogram of their body weight. So, for garlic powder, the toxic dose could be as low as 3–6 grams per kilogram. It adds up quickly!
Larger dogs might tolerate slightly more, but even they aren’t immune to the risks. And it’s not just a one-time dose—if a dog repeatedly eats small amounts of garlic powder over time, the damage to their red blood cells can build up.
If your dog eats food seasoned with garlic powder, don’t panic immediately, especially if it’s just a tiny amount. Cooking dilutes the garlic flavor, and the actual amount ingested might be minimal.
The bottom line? Garlic powder is very bad for dogs, but the amount we use in cooking is probably not dangerous for them. This doesn’t mean that you should give them foods with garlic powder! It just means that you don’t have to panic, but you need to stick to dog-friendly foods and treats.
Can dogs eat chives?
No, dogs should not eat chives. Chives are part of the same family as garlic, the Allium family. Chives also have compounds that are toxic to dogs can damage red blood cells and cause serious health issues. Even small amounts of chives—whether fresh, dried, or cooked—can cause health issues, especially if your dog eats them repeatedly over time.
If your dog accidentally eats a small amount of food with chives, don’t panic. The toxicity depends on the quantity consumed and your dog’s size. Larger dogs may handle a small exposure better than smaller breeds, but it’s still a good idea to keep a close eye on them.
If your dog eats chives, watch for signs of garlic or onion toxicity, such as lethargy, pale gums, weakness, or dark-colored urine. If your dog eats a significant amount or shows symptoms, call your vet immediately.
Can dogs eat food cooked with garlic?
If your dog eats food cooked with garlic, I wouldn’t worry too much. When garlic is used in cooking, it gets spread out across the dish, so the amount your dog actually eats is probably tiny. This small amount is very unlikely to cause any issues, especially for bigger dogs.
For example, if your dog sneaks a bite of garlic-flavored pasta or stew, the garlic content in that one bite is way below toxic levels. Plus, cooking tends to reduce garlic’s potency a bit, which makes it even less concerning.
That said, I’d still be careful about foods that are loaded with garlic, like garlic bread or pesto. These kinds of dishes might have more garlic than what’s safe, and repeated exposure—even in small doses—could add up over time.
Bottom line? A little garlic from cooked food isn’t a reason to panic. But it’s still smart not to make garlic a regular part of your dog’s diet. Stick to dog-friendly treats instead—they’ll be just as happy, and you’ll have peace of mind!
Love, life, and fur forever!
FAQs
Can dogs eat garlic chicken?
If your dog eats a small piece of garlic chicken, nothing bad will happen. You don’t use enough garlic in garlic chicken to make it dangerous for your dog. However, it’s best to avoid giving your dog garlic chicken. If you want to share, give them a piece from the inside, near the bone, where there’s not much seasoning.
Can dogs eat garlic seasoning?
No, dogs should not eat garlic seasoning. Seasonings often contain concentrated garlic powder, which is more potent than fresh garlic. Even small amounts can be toxic over time. However, if your dog ate something with garlic seasoning, then it really depends on the amount. Since we don’t use that much in cooking, whatever they eat, they will most likely be fine, but it’s still better to be careful.
Can dogs eat garlic butter?
Garlic butter is not safe for dogs. The combination of garlic (which is toxic) and high-fat butter can upset their stomach or lead to more serious issues like pancreatitis. If your dog licks a little off your plate, it’s probably fine, but it’s best to keep garlic butter away from them.
Can dogs eat garlic sauce?
Dogs should not eat garlic sauce. Garlic sauces typically contain concentrated garlic and other ingredients like butter, cream, or oil that aren’t good for dogs. Even a small amount could upset their stomach, and repeated exposure could lead to toxicity. Keep garlic sauce out of reach!