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Cats and Dogs
If garlic is good for the health of people, would it not also be good for the health of
your pets? If garlic can fend off mosquitoes, could it not also help animals to deal with
fleas? Will it put a spring into the step of your dog or cat?
Perhaps. But perhaps not.
What's good for one species isn't always good for another.
Opinion about the use of garlic as a dietary supplement for pets and other animals is strongly divided.
For And Against
Many people feed garlic to their animals, it seems to be particularly common for horses,
cats and dogs. Owners have reported generally improved health, better skin and a reduction
in pests such as fleas. It is said that June Lockhart became a convert to mixing garlic
into her dog's food to cure his fleas.
On the other hand, garlic is also reportedly toxic to many animals. Garlic - along with
other alliums such as onions - contains the chemical thiosulphate. This can be extremely
dangerous to pets (onions being more of a danger than garlic). The blood-cleansing
properties that make garlic sulphides beneficial to humans can damage the blood cells of
animals. This can result in anything from mild anemia to major bursting of the blood cells leading to
death.
So feeding garlic to your pet would appear to be a risk. It might help the animal's
health - or it might cause serious injury. The safest bet is not to give your pet garlic
without first consulting a qualified vet.
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