Why Garlic is healthy for your dog

I'm asked often what I use for my dogs to help combat ticks and fleas. It's healthy and is good for their bodies, of course dosage is always key in how you use it. I personally use garlic pills, it's easier and I find it more palatable for dogs. Some of the benefits of garlic for your dog:

Why garlic is such a good addition to your dogs diet;

• Garlic is high in inulin, amino acids, sulphur, zinc, potassium and phosphorus. It also contains vitamin A, C, calcium, magnesium, manganese, selenium, germanium and B-complex vitamins.

• Garlic’s pungent energy warms the body. Pungent herbs move energy upwards and outwards to the body’s surface, improving circulation. Garlic also has an affinity for the lungs, large intestine, spleen and stomach.

• Garlic helps detoxify the body. It supports beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract and eliminates harmful bacteria. I use it in the fall, winter and early spring as a detox and to balance out the digestive system.

• As a liver enhancer, garlic breaks down wastes before they enter the bloodstream. It also helps your dog assimilate nutrients and eliminate wastes through the entire digestive tract.

• Garlic is high in sulphur and fructans (inulin and oligofructose). Fructans can cause digestive upset in dogs suffering from leaky gut, inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. When undigested fructans ferment in the small intestine, they cause bloating, gas and constipation. Your dog’s digestive system needs to be healthy before you feed her garlic.

Here are some of the benefits of Garlic in your dogs diet;

1. Prevents the formation of blood clots (anti-platelet)

2. Decreases cholesterol build-up (anti-cholesterolemic)

3. Widens blood vessels (vasodilator)

4. Helps prevent the formation of tumors (anti-tumor)

5. Stimulates the lymphatic system to remove wastes

6. Antibiotic, antifungal and antiparasitic

Caution for Garlic

Do not feed garlic to pregnant or nursing dogs

Do no feed garlic to puppies younger than 6 months

Ensure your dog is not a breed that may have a reaction with garlic. I have Labrador Retrievers, they can have garlic.

How Much Garlic Should You Give Your Dog?

Using a level measuring spoon, feed the following amount per day, according to your dog’s weight:

• 5lbs: 1/6 tsp

• 10lbs: 1/3tsp

• 15 lbs: 1/2 tsp

• 20lbs: 2/3 tsp

• 30 lbs: 1 tsp

References:

Dogs Naturally Magazine