Garlic can cause liver/Kidney failure in Dogs

sarahh · 05-01-2008, 01:32 PM

Hi All

I thought I would let you all know this aswell. This week we had a letter from our vets saying that some products and food are poisonous to dogs and can cause liver or kidney failure. One of these products is Garlic and will cause liver/kidney failure.

I have noticed garlic tablets being sold in the larger pet shop chain.

I thought I would let you know about Garlic.

PinkEmily · 05-01-2008, 01:56 PM

My dog lily usually has the ends off garlic bread. Not any more!!! she'll be devistated!

Holly · 05-01-2008, 11:45 PM

Hmmm. Interesting as my mum's dog (lived to be 13, never had a day's illness and died in her sleep) used to have garlic tablets - as recommended by the vet!

It's very controversial - just do an internet search and look at how many conflicting articles there are. I wouldn't panic yet as an awful lot of dogs have eaten garlic over an awful lot of years and come to no harm.

I'd be interested in seeing the research that "proves" this (though I probably wouldn't understand it!), I wonder if it's like the recent study that says anti-depressants are no better than a placebo in moderately depressed people - the one that contradicts every other piece of research going and yet got splashed across all the papers

souffle · 05-02-2008, 12:34 AM

I tend to agree with Holly. We need more proof with long term studies etc. Many dogs have eaten garlic with no problems as have many other mammals and it is considered a natural antibiotic. We have also fed garlic on many occassions. Sometimes the media gets hold of things and blows them out of proportion. Maybe its raw garlic? I know chocolate contains a chemical which is toxic to dogs but never heard this of garlic. Does your letter quote any references?

sarahh · 05-02-2008, 10:26 AM

Hi we had a letter from our vet which included Garlic all Garlic raw and cooked aswell as Grapes, Chocolate espcially cooking chocolate which is most dangerous. Aswell as a few more things they must not have.

I thought I would let you know but seems no one really wants to know.

souffle · 05-02-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahh

I thought I would let you know but seems no one really wants to know.

Aww Sarah of course we want to know. Well I have done a little search around and it seems that garlic fed in excessive quantities or in susceptible individuals can be toxic. No one can agree on what excessive quantities are so some people may wish to err on the side of caution and not feed this at all. Also toxic to dogs are grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts and various other oddities. Shame they are such terrible thieves isn't it

Thanks for the info. It certainly made me think and check it out more fully.

chase · 05-02-2008, 01:04 PM

Oh my god

My labrador eats dog food mixed with human and has eaten garlic in the past & think she has eaten just about everything, even unmentionables.But that is interesting as well you said about grapes as when on occasions some have been dropped on floor she will roll them around and lick them but would never eat them.

Maybe she knows they are bad for her.Have to admit I didnt know dogs were allergic to grapes or garlic but knew about chocolate so will have to watch what she tucks into.

Holly · 05-02-2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahh

I thought I would let you know but seems no one really wants to know.

I don't think it's that at all, Sarah - I'm always glad when things are brought to my attention, it's just that we are bombarded with so much conflicting and often downright wrong information these days I always feel it's best to investigate further rather than just taking things (even those from health professionals of any persuasion) as read.