Garlic, like other members of the Allium family, contain compounds called disulfides and thiosulphates which can be toxic cats and dogs if ingested. The ingestion of garlic causes conditions called hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia, and methemoglobinemia which are all manifestation of damage to red blood cells.
What happens if a dog eats a little bit of garlic?
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, garlic and other members of the allium family, including onions, contain thiosulfate, which is toxic to dogs but not to humans. Thiosulfate causes oxidative damage to red blood cells, resulting in hemolytic anemia.
How much garlic is toxic to dogs?
Traditional veterinary medicine states that 15-30 grams of garlic per kg of body weight can produce a harmful chain of events in your dog's body. With a clove of garlic weighing around 3-7 grams, that's a large amount of garlic.
How long does it take for garlic to hurt a dog?
Large ingestions of garlic may cause clinical signs within 24 hours while signs of garlic poisoning after small ingestions can be delayed for up to 1 week. While very small amounts of garlic may be safe in some animals, large amounts can be very toxic. Common signs to watch for: Anemia (e.g. lethargy)
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