Q. I heard that garlic could keep fleas from biting, so I put some in my dog’s food for about a week. He became lethargic and couldn’t even climb the lowest stairs. I thought this might be a reaction to the antibiotics I had him on to heal sores from the original flea bites.
I took him in again to check for infection, but there wasn’t any. I casually mentioned the garlic, and the vet said that garlic is toxic to dogs. It causes something called Heinz body anemia. Please warn other readers.
A. Both garlic and onions can cause anemia in dogs. Cats are even more susceptible.
People often assume that they can give their pets the same things they take themselves, but that’s not necessarily a good idea. Always check with the vet before giving your pet any medicine or extra treats like chocolate or raisins, which are also toxic to dogs.
