My dog

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Can dogs eat it?

Can dogs eat garlic?

No, toxic No. Garlic is in the onion family and 3 to 5 times more toxic than onion. It can damage red blood cells and cause anaemia.

Why

Garlic contains the same red blood cell damaging compounds as onion, and the MSD Veterinary Manual rates it 3 to 5 times more toxic. Powders and concentrated extracts pack in the most. Sources differ on small amounts: AKC says a little is unlikely to cause poisoning, while PDSA says garlic should never be given, even in small amounts. We follow the cautious view: never feed it on purpose. There is no evidence garlic works against fleas (PDSA), and AKC notes Akitas and Shiba Inus may be more sensitive.

Signs to watch for

If your dog ate garlic

Call your vet as soon as possible, even if your dog seems well: signs of anaemia usually take a few days. If it was within about four hours, your vet may make your dog sick and give activated charcoal. Tell them roughly how much was eaten and whether it was raw, cooked or powdered. Do not try to make your dog sick yourself.

If your dog has eaten something toxic

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet now. Do not wait for signs, and do not make your dog sick unless a vet tells you to. Take the packet with you.

Australia: poison advice lines
  • Animal Poisons Helpline: 1300 869 738. Open 24/7. Its own home page says consultations with a Poisons Information Consultant are available from $75 AUD. Older pages still call it free: RSPCA Australia's knowledgebase (last updated December 2023) and the helpline's own 2019 launch news, so ask about the fee when you call.
United States: poison advice lines
United Kingdom: poison advice lines
  • Animal PoisonLine: 01202 509 000. Open 24 hours, run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service. £35 per call 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, £45 at all other times including bank holidays, paid by card (Amex not accepted). If your pet shows collapse, seizures or breathing difficulty, it says to contact your vet immediately instead.
Canada: poison advice lines
  • Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661. Its own site says it is available throughout the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean, 24/7. A USD 89 per incident fee applies, which includes follow-up consultations.
New Zealand: poison advice lines
  • Animal Poisons Helpline: 0800 869 738. Open 24/7, the same service as in Australia. New Zealand's National Poisons Centre says it is available to all New Zealand pet owners and that charges do apply; the amount for New Zealand callers is not stated.
  • National Poisons Centre (for people). New Zealand's National Poisons Centre handles human poisonings and says it is not expert in animal poisonings. For a pet, call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline.

This is general guidance, your vet sets the actual schedule. Puppies, small dogs and dogs with a health condition can react to smaller amounts. Check with your own vet before changing what your dog eats.

Other foods people ask about

Cinnamon Only with care Cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, but it can irritate the mouth and gut. The amount in a bite of baking is fine; the oil is riskier. Mint Only with care Best avoided. Large amounts of mint can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and mint sweets, gum and toothpaste often contain xylitol. Nutmeg No, toxic No. Nutmeg contains myristicin. A trace in baking is unlikely to harm, but larger amounts can cause disorientation and seizures. Parsley Only with care A small sprinkle of curly parsley is fine. Large amounts can make skin sensitive to sunlight. Salt and salty food Only with care Do not add salt or share salty food. A large dose at once, such as rock salt, salt dough or sea water, can poison a dog.

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Sources

Last reviewed 2026-09-29.