Are garlic plants poisonous to dogs?

Updated 29/09/2023

Garlic is laced throughout countless dishes that we humans love (and it’s no wonder - the stuff is delicious!). And sharing is caring, right? Well not always, especially when it comes to letting your pooch pal nibble straight from your plate. This begs the question - are garlic plants poisonous to dogs?  In this article, we’ll discuss why garlic can be extremely harmful to your dog. As always, if you have any concerns that your pet may have eaten something harmful to them, it’s recommended to contact your veterinarian immediately for individual advice for your pet.

Are garlic plants poisonous to dogs?

Yes, garlic is seriously poisonous to dogs - as a member of the allium family (and cousin to onions and leaks), they’re bad news for our pooch pals. This is the same plant family that lilies (which are also toxic to dogs) are from. All parts of the garlic plant are toxic to our dogs - this includes the bulbs and the leafy green part of the plant. 

The severity of toxicity will usually depend on the amount of the garlic plant or garlic bulb ingested and the size of your dog, but it’s always best to completely avoid garlic to keep your pup safe and healthy. Ingestion of any part of the garlic plant damages the red blood cells and can cause nasty symptoms, including serious gastrointestinal upset and anemia. In some cases, garlic poisoning can be fatal in dogs. For this reason, it’s extremely important to seek veterinary advice if your pet may have eaten garlic.

Garlic plant poisoning in dogs

Now that we know garlic plants and dogs simply don’t mix, let’s explore garlic plant poisoning in dogs including its symptoms, the methods of diagnosis you might expect, and possible treatments. Before we get started though, it’s worth noting that garlic plant poisoning is incredibly serious in dogs. If you think your pup has ingested even the smallest amount, contact your veterinarian as a matter of emergency. Give your veterinarian as much detail as possible, including how long ago your pet ate the garlic, the size of your dog, and how much garlic they have eaten. Your veterinarian will use this information to advise on the next best step for your pet.

Symptoms of garlic poisoning (toxicity)

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Anemia
• Ataxia (lack of coordination)
• Drooling
• Elevated respiratory rate (faster breathing than usual)
• Increased heart rate
• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Blood in urine
• Bad breath
• Pale gums
• Trouble breathing
• Jaundice
• Collapse
• Seizures

It’s important to remember that your pet may not show any of these symptoms after ingesting garlic. However, it’s still vital to contact your veterinary clinic as soon as possible if you suspect your pet may have eaten garlic, even if they are not showing any symptoms. Your veterinary clinic will advise on the next best step for your pet.

Diagnosis

In order to accurately diagnose your pup with garlic toxicity (poisoning), there are various methods your veterinarian might take. Your vet will examine your pet and will discuss with you the next best steps to take. They may recommend further tests to help determine whether the garlic has started to affect your pet’s health. These tests will help your vet to make the best plan to help you and your pet. 

These tests may include: 

• Physical examination (temperature, reflexes, abdominal palpation, respiration rate, and weight).
• Blood tests
• Urinalysis
• Ultrasound
• CT scan

Treatments

Initially, your vet may attempt to remove as much of the toxin from your pup’s stomach by inducing vomiting and then administering activated charcoal to absorb any remaining toxins from your dog’s stomach that maybe wasn’t removed during vomiting. It’s very important to note that inducing vomiting should only be done by veterinary professionals. Attempting to induce vomiting at home can be extremely dangerous, as the risk of choking is very high. 

Your vet may recommend  IV fluids (a drip) to prevent dehydration and help flush the toxins from your pet’s body. Your veterinarian will use blood tests to help determine whether or not the garlic has affected your pet’s blood cells. If your pet’s blood cell count has been decreased severely (called anemia), they may recommend a blood transfusion. Seeking prompt veterinary treatment will give your pet the best chance at making a full recovery, so don’t hesitate to contact your veterinary clinic for advice.

Meet our veterinary expert, Evie

This article has been checked by veterinarian Evie Moloney RCVS. Evie is a vet surgeon who graduated from the University College Dublin, which is the only university offering the veterinary medicine degree in Ireland. She really enjoys surgery and has also worked as an emergency and critical care vet. She is passionate about sharing education about preventative health care 
for pets, especially the importance of regular dog and cat teeth brushing at home. She also enjoys helping owners find practical solutions for keeping pets as comfortable as possible while living with conditions such as arthritis. When not working, she enjoys hiking and swimming. 

Other plants poisonous to dogs

Garlic plants and dogs - not exactly a match made in doggy heaven! Unfortunately, many of the plants common in our households, front gardens and backyards are toxic to dogs, so be sure to get clued-up on the plants poisonous to dogs starting with our list below.

• Foxglove
• Onions
• Leaks
• Lily of the valley
• Oleander