There is a huge debate in the pet world is whether garlic is okay or not. The answer is – it’s safe AND beneficial with the correct moderation. However, Garlic has an evil cousin, the Onion. Onions are always a big fat no.
Both garlic & onion contain thiosulfate. Thiosulfate is the toxic stuff. However, the amount of thiosulfate is much lower in garlic than it is in onions. Cats, puppies, pregnant dogs & Japanese dog breeds are more sensitive to thiosulfate, so they would benefit from a lower amount if added to their diet.
When feeding garlic, it needs to be fresh, as in it stays in the husk until you’re ready to feed it – never from a jar. NOT all garlic is created equal! Chinese garlic has tested positive for unsafe levels of arsenic, heavy metals, and chlorine, so make sure you know where the garlic you’re using comes from.
After you chop it up, let it sit for around 10 minutes before you give it to your pet. When you chop up garlic, it releases a super beneficial amino acid called Allicin. This is what gives it those antibiotic, anti-cancer, & antioxidant properties. Similar to using milk thistle, it’s beneficial to take a couple days to a week off when using.
If you feel uncomfortable with doing this yourself, don’t worry! Plenty of supplements include garlic, among other ingredients, so you still get all the benefits.
Some of the other awesome benefits include –
- Helps detox the body by enhancing the liver
- Great flea & tick preventative
- Keeps their heart healthy
- Helps a ton with inflammation
