Your nutritionist has suggested you incorporate garlic seasoning in your meals, alright.
While it is an excellent source of antioxidants, most dog parents wonder if it’s safe for their four-legged friend.
You don’t want to take chances and end up at the emergency vet with a sick pup but worry not.
We are here to set the record straight.
Can dogs have garlic seasoning?
No, dogs shouldn’t have garlic seasoning as it’s toxic.
As a member of the allium group, garlic seasoning is poisonous to your dog.
Garlic poisoning can be disastrous to your dog, causing discomfort and health complications such as gastrointestinal upsets.
In humans, garlic seasoning has major benefits; however, this is not the case in dogs.
This article explores why you shouldn’t have garlic seasoning for your dog and the dangers of exposing the dog if you dispute or it happens accidentally.
Potential Risks of Sharing Garlic Seasoning with Your Dog
Below we look at the health risks your dog will be facing upon consuming garlic seasoning:
- Garlic Poisoning
As an allium family member, garlic seasoning contains the dangerous propyl disulfide compound commonly known as thiosulfate.
The compound is highest in garlic seasoning than any other seasoning from the allium group.
Dogs don’t have an enabling enzyme that can break it down, making it toxic for them.
You would expect that if a dog ingests a hard-to-digest compound, it will be removed during excretion.
Unfortunately, it’s not the case with the thiosulfate compound.
It will be retained in the dog’s body and can increase, causing the poisoning.
Garlic poisoning is a major life-threatening concern that you shouldn’t neglect.
If you realize your dog has been exposed, get in touch with the vet immediately for guidance.
Avoid self-medicating the dog because garlic poisoning can have disastrous effects that require professional handling.
Some of the key symptoms of garlic poisoning include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Restlessness
- Sweating
- Seizures
- Ataxia
- Drooling
If left unattended for a long period, the garlic poisoning in your dog can accelerate and lead to more complicated ailments and eventual loss of life.
- Hemolytic Anemia
Garlic seasoning in dogs can lead to complex health risks such as anemia.
This is because the thiosulfate compound in the garlic seasoning attaches itself to the dog’s red blood cells and solidifies them, prompting the dog’s body to sense it as a blood clot attack.
The dog’s system acts defensively and damages the affected cells fast.
The problem becomes unmanageable when the rate at which the cells are being attacked is higher than the new cells being produced to replace them.
The imbalance leads to anemia, and at this point, your dog will be passing stool with blood spots.
For this reason, you need to have the dog checked immediately and avert extreme reaction in good time.
- Gastrointestinal Upset
Garlic seasoning can also affect your dog’s digestive system and alter the functioning of the entire gastrointestinal unit.
The seasoning is dry, which means it has less water than fresh garlic.
Some dogs will have problems breaking it down.
The thiosulfate compound makes it harder to digest, causing digestive problems.
Some of the signs of gastrointestinal problems after your dog consume the seasoning include:
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty in breathing
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pains
- Loss of strength
- Declined appetite
Overall, your dog will act disinterested in most activities that excited them in the past.
Consult the vet immediately to ensure the problems do not escalate.
- Reacts With Medication
If your dog is on medication, you need to steer clear of garlic seasoning as it will react with the drugs and alter their effectiveness.
The seasoning contains sulphuric compounds that eventually become reactive oxidants that affect the functionality of the drugs.
- Difficulty in Breathing
After your dog has ingested a sizable amount of garlic seasoning, you will notice the dog may start panting heavily and gasping for air, yet there weren’t any physical activities prior.
The thiosulfate compound in the garlic seasoning affects the red blood cells, responsible for transporting oxygen to the different parts of the dog’s body.
As it reacts and clots the cells, the dog falls short of air, which may prompt the dog to pant heavily as it desperately tries to counter.
Getting to this level is an indication that the dog had too much of the garlic seasoning, and you can’t afford to lax around.
Get the dog professional help immediately.
Alternative Seasoning Good for Your Dog
Seasoning adds flavor and great aroma to food, and you can share meals with the following as they are dog-friendly:
- Oregano
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Cloves
- Parsley
- Sage
- Rosemary
At least with these, there’s no need to have the heart in your mouth as you share with the furry friend.
They possess various health benefits and are equally aromatic.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you shouldn’t share food with garlic seasoning with your puppy as you will be putting its health at risk.
Puppies don’t start producing new red blood cells until around eight weeks.
Garlic seasoning affects the cell’s performance, meaning the pup isn’t able to replace the damaged cells fast, so you will be endangering its life.
No, it’s not advisable to share raw garlic seasoning with your dog.
You will be exposing it to health complications that will require the vet’s intervention.
Raw garlic seasoning can cause dehydration and gastrointestinal upsets in your dog.
It may also affect the performance of the dog’s red blood cells, further endangering it.
Is there an amount of garlic seasoning that is safe for my dog?
While everyone agrees that garlic seasoning is toxic to dogs, the amount that can be dangerous is unclear.
Some dog breeds, such as the Shiba Inu and Akita, can’t stomach even small amounts of the seasoning without reacting.
The best thing would be to avoid sharing the garlic seasoning altogether.
Conclusion
Garlic seasoning adds a great aroma to meals that may attract the dog; however, you know better.
All that glitters ain’t gold, right?
Just because it smells great doesn’t mean it fits your pooch.
A dog’s well-being is in the hands of its owner.
You are called to act responsibly and guard your pup against imminent danger such as garlic seasoning poisoning.
Guard your dog.
- What Dog Breeds Have Pink Skin? - March 24, 2023
- What Are the Most Inspiring Dog Breeding Quotes? - March 20, 2023
- Can Pheromone Spray Help Improve Dog Breeding Results? - March 19, 2023