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Can Dogs Eat Garlic? No — Here's Why It's Toxic
Published on October 10th, 2022
Updated on June 18th, 2026
Do you have questions about whether or not it is safe to give your dog garlic? Petco has the answers to this & other canine diet questions!
No. Garlic is considered toxic to dogs. While it may be unlikely to kill your dog in small doses, it can lead to severe gastrointestinal upset and destruction of red blood cells, which, in turn, can cause anemia. If you believe your dog has ingested garlic, consult your veterinarian immediately or call the animal poison control hotline. Always carefully review nutrition labels for toxic ingredients before offering any human food to your pet.
Garlic smells wonderful when you cook it, and it can be a flavorful addition to almost any savory dish. If you have a dog who is generally curious about human food, you might have thought to yourself, “Can dogs have garlic?” Unfortunately, garlic and dogs are a dangerous combination that should never be put together.
What are the health risks of garlic for dogs?
Dogs metabolize food differently than humans. Just because something is edible for humans does not mean that it’s edible for dogs.
Garlic is a member of the allium family, which also includes onions, leeks, shallots and chives. All these plants contain thiosulfate, which is difficult for some humans to digest but can be especially toxic to dogs, even in small quantities.
For dogs, thiosulfate can damage red blood cells and eventually result in anemia. Symptoms of anemia include rapid breathing, increased heart rate, lethargy, weakness, jaundice, pale mucous membranes and dark-colored urine. Garlic toxicity can also cause severe gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, depression and dehydration.
Never feed garlic to your dog under any circumstances.
» MORE: Learn about fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat garlic in any amount — even a small taste? No. There is no established "safe" amount of garlic for dogs. Even small quantities can damage red blood cells and trigger gastrointestinal upset. Because toxicity can be cumulative — meaning repeated small exposures add up — it is best to keep garlic away from your dog entirely. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
How much garlic is toxic to dogs? Research suggests that as little as 15–30 grams of garlic per kilogram of body weight can produce toxic effects in dogs, but individual sensitivity varies widely, and no threshold is considered truly safe. A single clove weighs roughly 3–7 grams, which means even a modest amount relative to a small dog's body weight can be cause for concern. When in doubt, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
What are the symptoms of garlic poisoning in dogs? Garlic toxicity in dogs typically causes two categories of symptoms. Gastrointestinal signs — vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and dehydration — may appear within hours of ingestion. Signs of hemolytic anemia — the destruction of red blood cells — can take several days to develop and include lethargy, weakness, rapid breathing, elevated heart rate, pale or yellowish gums (jaundice) and dark or reddish-colored urine. Because the anemia symptoms are delayed, a dog may appear fine at first even after a harmful exposure. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
What should I do if my dog ate garlic? Act quickly. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Call your veterinarian right away or contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply). Be ready to share your dog's approximate weight, how much garlic was consumed and in what form — raw, cooked, powdered or as part of a prepared food. Garlic powder is especially concentrated and considered more dangerous by weight than raw garlic. Never attempt to induce vomiting unless a veterinary professional specifically instructs you to do so. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
Is garlic powder more dangerous than raw garlic for dogs? Yes. Garlic powder is significantly more concentrated than fresh garlic — roughly 10 times more potent by weight — making it particularly hazardous even in the small amounts found in seasoning blends, broths, baby food and some commercial treats. Always read ingredient labels carefully before sharing any human food or flavored product with your dog. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
Are some dogs more vulnerable to garlic toxicity than others? Yes. Dogs of Japanese breeds — including Akitas and Shiba Inus — appear to be more sensitive to allium toxicity than other breeds. Puppies, senior dogs and dogs with pre-existing anemia, red blood cell disorders or compromised immune systems also face elevated risk. Regardless of breed or age, no dog should ever be given garlic. Consult your veterinarian if you have specific concerns about your dog's individual health status. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
Allium Plants and Dogs: Toxicity at a Glance
All members of the allium family pose a real danger to dogs. The table below shows how garlic compares to its close relatives — so you know exactly what to keep off your dog's plate.
| Allium Plant | Common Forms Found in Homes | Relative Toxicity to Dogs | Key Concern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic | Fresh cloves, minced, powdered, roasted, garlic salt | Very High — most toxic allium per gram of body weight | Thiosulfate damages red blood cells; can cause hemolytic anemia even in small amounts https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control |
| Onion | Raw, cooked, dried, powdered, onion rings | High — all forms dangerous; powdered is especially concentrated | Same thiosulfate mechanism; powdered onion found in many seasonings and baby foods https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control |
| Chives | Fresh, dried, freeze-dried | High — often underestimated | Frequently used as a garnish; toxicity mirrors onion and garlic https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control |
| Leeks | Raw, cooked, in soups and broths | Moderate–High | Larger plant means a dog may ingest more volume before a pet parent notices https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control |
| Shallots | Raw, pickled, cooked | High — higher thiosulfate concentration than standard onions | Sometimes used in gourmet cooking; do not assume "a small amount" is safe https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control |
| Scallions (green onions) | Raw, chopped as a topping | Moderate–High | Both the green tops and white bulb are harmful; commonly dropped during meal prep https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control |
Important note on garlic powder: Dehydrated and powdered forms of garlic are significantly more concentrated than fresh garlic. A much smaller quantity by weight can cause toxicity — always check ingredient labels on broths, seasonings, sauces and commercial dog treats before sharing them with your dog. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a small amount of garlic hurt my dog? Yes. Garlic is considered toxic to dogs at relatively low doses — especially in powdered or concentrated form. There is no established "safe" amount, and toxicity can build up with repeated small exposures over time. If your dog has eaten any quantity of garlic, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center right away. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
What happens if a dog eats garlic? Garlic contains thiosulfate, a compound that damages a dog's red blood cells and can lead to hemolytic anemia. Signs to watch for include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, pale gums, rapid breathing, increased heart rate and dark-colored urine. Symptoms may be delayed by several days after ingestion, so don't wait for them to appear before calling your vet. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
Is garlic powder more dangerous than fresh garlic for dogs? Yes. Powdered garlic is far more concentrated than fresh cloves — meaning a much smaller amount by weight delivers a higher dose of thiosulfate. Garlic powder is also a hidden ingredient in many seasonings, broths and processed foods, making label-reading essential before offering any human food to your dog. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
Are onions just as toxic as garlic to dogs? Onions are also toxic to dogs through the same thiosulfate mechanism, but garlic is generally considered more potent per gram of body weight. Both should be kept completely away from your dog in all forms — raw, cooked, dried or powdered. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
What should I do if my dog eats garlic? Act immediately — do not wait for symptoms to appear. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435). Be ready to share your dog's weight, the approximate amount of garlic consumed and the form it was in (fresh, powdered, cooked). Your veterinarian is the best resource for next steps and any necessary treatment. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
Can dogs eat foods cooked with garlic? No. Cooking does not neutralize the thiosulfate in garlic. Soups, sauces, stir-fries, roasted vegetables and other dishes prepared with garlic remain unsafe for dogs. When sharing any human food with your dog, always check that every ingredient — including seasonings and broths — is free of allium plants. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
This article was created with assistance from AI tools and reviewed for accuracy by Petco's content team.
FAQs about dogs and garlic
Garlic is a member of the allium family, which also includes onions, leeks, chives and shallots. All alliums contain thiosulfate, which typically isn’t harmful to humans but can be very harmful to dogs. In the short term, eating garlic can cause your dog severe gastrointestinal upset. In the long term, thiosulfate can cause your dog's red blood cells to deteriorate, potentially resulting in anemia. This life-threatening condition can severely impact your pet’s quality of life. So, if you’re cooking up a meal and wondering, “Can dogs eat onions and garlic?” the answer is no.
Your dog doesn’t have the enzymes in their gut to properly break down garlic, and furthermore, there are elements in garlic that can be severely toxic for them.
If your dog steals food with garlic in it, it’s quite likely to give them an uncomfortable amount of gastrointestinal upset. This could include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and loss of appetite. If your dog eats a large amount of garlic, either all at once or over many days, it may cause a toxic reaction that would require immediate veterinary attention.
A dog suffering from garlic poisoning will most likely display the symptoms of severe gastrointestinal upset. This includes vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, depression and dehydration.
If your dog manages to eat a large amount of garlic over a prolonged period of time, the thiosulfate may damage your dog’s red blood cells and eventually cause anemia. Anemia is life-threatening and can also severely impact your dog’s quality of life. Symptoms of anemia include rapid breathing, lethargy, weakness, jaundice, pale mucous membranes and dark-colored urine.
Garlic is toxic to your dog and should never be offered to them. Even a small amount of it can cause gastrointestinal distress. The harmful effects can accumulate over time and lead to long-term health challenges such as anemia or prolonged gastrointestinal distress.
It varies. Some dogs are more sensitive to garlic than others. Even a small amount of garlic can lead to severe gastrointestinal distress for your dog, so don’t let them eat it.
You should never give garlic to your dog.
Garlic should never be offered to dogs in any form as it is not a safe food for them. In addition to the garlic, garlic bread usually contains large amounts of butter, oil, cheese and herbs that can also upset your dog’s stomach. Garlic bread can also be a source of unnecessary calories and fat for your dog.
Some people believe that garlic is a good natural flea and tick repellent for dogs. The actual scientific evidence for this is highly inconclusive, and garlic should never be offered to dogs as it is toxic. Since there are over-the-counter, prescription and natural alternatives for flea and tick prevention that are considered safe, there is no reason to use toxic ingredients like garlic.
Some websites and pet parents purport that while garlic itself may be toxic for dogs, garlic supplements can serve as a natural flea and tick preventive. This is another situation where the scientific evidence is inconclusive, but given the known toxicity of garlic for dogs, it’s best to never offer garlic supplements as a health aid or flea and tick preventive for your dog. If you have questions regarding garlic supplements or any health concerns about your dog, always consult your veterinarian first. Giving an incorrect dose could have toxic effects. Work with a veterinarian to devise the best flea and tick treatment and prevention plan for your dog.