Garlic is a staple in most people’s kitchens. So many of your favorite foods might contain a little (or a lot) of garlic. It even has health benefits, so what’s not to love? There’s just something about smelling roasted garlic that makes our mouths water.
If it’s good for us, that means it has to be good for our dogs right? They should be able to reap the same benefits as we do by consuming a regular dose of garlic.
Not so fast.
We cover how garlic affects dogs, what you should know about giving your dog garlic, even in small amounts, and we answer that burning question: Can dogs eat garlic bread?
So, Can Dogs Eat Garlic Bread?
You should never for any reason feed your dog garlic or garlicky foods. Doing so can cause adverse health effects like vomiting, stomach aches, and diarrhea.
There is also a lot of butter and cheese in garlic bread, which packs many empty calories that cause an upset stomach and rapid weight gain.
What Does Garlic Toxicity Look Like in Dogs?
For us humans, garlic helps with digestive issues, high blood pressure, and even high cholesterol. But what about dogs?
Dogs that consume garlic, even in low quantities, are at risk for severe garlic poisoning. It may cause fatal complications such as anemia.
Why?
Because garlic has thiosulfate in it which is extremely toxic for canines. This toxin will destroy the capacity of the dog’s red blood cells to carry oxygen to the lungs.
Garlic is a member of the allium category, along with chives, leeks, and onions, all of which are poisonous foods for dogs.
Garlic can also cause gastrointestinal problems like vomiting, drooling, abdominal pains, diarrhea, nausea, and so on. If your dog has anemia, you may also observe the following symptoms:
- Gums that are pale
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Increased respiration
- Elevated heart rate
- Collapse
- Inability to exercise
These are also the same symptoms of garlic poison and they can also be delayed in some circumstances. If your pet has consumed 15-30 grams of garlic, they are at risk and should be tended to immediately if you suspect or notice any of the symptoms listed above.
Can Dogs Have Garlic Bread For a Treat?
It’s almost a foregone conclusion that your dog will get enticed to try some of your garlic bread. However, since you know that the garlic is too much of a risk, and the butter, herbs, cheese, and oil can give her an upset tummy, just leave it be. It’s too high in calories and there are no substantial health benefits in garlic bread for your dog.
Therefore, try to give your dog nutritious treats that have quality ingredients, or even some homemade treats so that you know exactly what’s going in your puppy’s belly. Never give your dog garlic bread as a snack or reward.
Related:
My Dog Ate Garlic Bread: What Now?
Garlic is not safe for dogs to consume and cause toxicity if it’s eaten. If your dog has gotten a hold of garlic and eaten it – contact your veterinarian right away. Garlic is a popular ingredient that is widely used and therefore can be found in many food items.
If your dog consumes a huge amount of garlic, the best thing to do for them would be to take them to the vet as soon as possible. Although onion and garlic poisoning are rarely fatal, your dog may still need care from a vet to keep them comfortable.
Don’t forget to keep the garlic out of the reach of your dog to prevent any further incidents.
Garlic Poisoning
Diagnosing the poisoning early is what’s key to your dog’s treatment. You must see a vet straight away to prevent your pet from getting sicker or worse, dying.
In these cases, your veterinarian may induce vomiting to clear out your dog’s gastrointestinal system. Also, they could give your pet intravenous fluid after your dog has improved to help them get their strength back. However, in severe cases, a blood transfusion may be necessary.
Dogs and Bread
The short answer is yes. Dogs can eat bread in the same way that we can – in moderation. White plain bread is typically safe for dogs to eat unless your dog has a particular allergy. Eating bread usually doesn’t cause any stomach issues.
So giving your dog bread as a treat now and then won’t hurt them, provided they have a complete and balanced diet while receiving lots of exercise.
On the other hand, it also won’t help.
Bread will act as a filler food and will not provide any essential nutrients not already provided by your dog’s dog food. Moreover, bread is chock full of carbs, which can lead to obesity if consumed in excess.
Risks of Feeding Bread to Dogs
Bread can add a bit more complications to your dog’s health. Bread generally isn’t toxic; however, there are some exceptions. Here is everything that you need to know about the risk involved in feeding bread to your dog.
Bread Dough is Dangerous
When making bread from scratch, the dough has to rise in moist, warm, and draft-free environments, which makes your dog’s stomach the perfect place for the dough to rise.
Bread dough is listed as hazardous for dogs. When dogs eat bread dough, the yeast in the dough continues to make the dough rise. That distends their stomachs and releases toxic levels of ethanol in your pet’s bloodstream.
The pressure of rising dough in your dog’s stomach can mimic and even cause bloating. However, the true danger comes from the potential alcohol toxicosis. If you gave your dog bread dough or you have the suspicion that they’ve stolen some, contact your vet right away and look out for the following symptoms of alcohol toxicosis:
- Weakness
- Depression
- Depressed central nervous system
- Weakness
- Unsteady, drunken gait
- Hypothermia
- Seizures
- Coma
Final Thoughts
One last time for clarity, can dogs eat garlic bread? No!
Given the danger that garlic poses to dogs, the idea that dogs can have garlic bread is misled and dangerous. Dogs that are fed garlic should see a veterinarian right away. Moreover, the key to your dog’s treatment of garlic toxicity is to catch it as early as possible.
Garlic is dangerous enough all by itself. That doesn’t even take into consideration the possible problems that bread causes. Play it safe and stick to a balanced diet recommended to you by your veterinarian.
