Can dogs eat garlic?
Toxic. No. Garlic is the most concentrated of the alliums — Merck puts it at 3 to 5 times the toxicity of onion by weight.
How much is dangerous?
Merck states garlic is 3 to 5 times more toxic than onion. Dried garlic powder is more concentrated again, so a teaspoon of powder is not comparable to a clove.
Why it does harm
The same mechanism as onion. Sulfur-containing oxidants damage hemoglobin, producing Heinz bodies and hemolytic anemia. Garlic simply carries more of them per gram.
What to look for
- Vomiting and diarrhea early on
- Pale or yellow gums and weakness several days later
- Rapid breathing and rapid heart rate
- Discolored urine
Timing. Digestive signs within hours; anemia typically days later.
What to do
- Call your vet, and be specific about the form: fresh clove, powder, granules or an ingredient in a prepared dish.
- Ignore advice about garlic as a flea remedy. It has no established benefit and a documented toxicity.