Garlic as a Supplement To Dog Food

From time to time we are contacted by concerned dog owners who ask us why we put garlic in Classic, when garlic is "poisonous to dogs". And indeed, in many places on the Internet, you can read that garlic is toxic to dogs. It is true, just as Paracelsus himself said, the difference between medicine and poison is in the dose. 

Small amounts of garlic have numerous benefits for dogs, just like for humans. One study found that garlic can "be toxic to dogs", more precisely - cause hemolytic anemia. During the research, extremely large amounts of garlic extract were given to dogs in order to test the anti-cancer effects of garlic. During that study, several dogs in the study were found to develop hemolytic anemia. So the dose that is dangerous for dogs is really high and it would be difficult to persuade even voracious dogs to eat a daily amount of garlic that would harm their health. If we are talking about, for example, an adult retriever weighing about 30 kg, he should eat about four heads of garlic (not cloves, but whole heads) per day, for a long period of time, in order for signs of poisoning (hemolytic anemia) to appear. 

What are the good sides of garlic? Garlic contains sulfur, zinc and selenium important elements for the synthesis and proper functioning of numerous enzymes. It also contains potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, calcium and vitamins A and C. Because it contains inulin, garlic is considered a prebiotic. Inulin is a raw fiber that feeds the good microflora in the intestines, by maintaining a healthy microflora in the intestines, the health of the whole organism is maintained. 

Garlic is also known for its antiparasitic properties. It has a repellent effect on external parasites (fleas and ticks), but also on internal parasites. But it is important to say that we cannot fully rely on its repellent properties, especially when we use it as a repellent for ticks. Thinking here primarily about the prevention of piroplasmosis. By stimulating the activity of NK-cells, which non-specifically destroy pathogenic bacteria and tumor cells, garlic has a positive effect on the overall resistance of the organism. It improves circulation by preventing the formation of blood clots and acts as a vasodilator (widens blood vessels). It is also considered a strong ally of the liver, which helps to cleanse the body of harmful substances. As the difference between the dose that is curative and the dose that could cause hemolytic anemia is really large, and the benefits that garlic has are enormous, we believe that garlic is a desirable ingredient in the diet of dogs.