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No garlic for dogs, horses and cats
Garlic tablets or fortified foods can cause serious illness in dogs and cats. The animal welfare organization "Vier Pfoten" warns against that. Already a small dose is sufficient to cause life-threatening anemia (anemia). The animals may suffer from the severe effects of poisoning in case of overdose. Nevertheless, many animal feeds and veterinary medicines are sold commercially with garlic. Veterinarians warn against their use.
Picture: 135pixels - fotolia Garlic damages the health of pets
Especially in natural medicine, garlic is considered a natural medicinal plant that has an antibacterial effect and protects people from serious illnesses such as heart attacks or thrombosis. However, if garlic is used in the form of preparations in dogs or cats, life-threatening events can occur even in small quantities. For animals, the garlic plant, in contrast to humans, have a very toxic effect. Garlic belongs to the group of allium plants and contains sulfur substances that destroy red blood vessels in cats, dogs or horses. Through biochemical processes in them so-called "Heinz bodies" are formed, which provoke a decay of the red blood cells. The sense of smell could be disturbed sensitively.
Symptoms of poisoning by garlic
If the animals have consumed large quantities of garlic, severe symptoms of poisoning can show. The animals suffer from severe and watery diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, pale and bloodless mucous membranes, palpitations, heavy breathing, a weak pulse and blood in the urine. Even a small amount of 5 grams of garlic or 1.25 milliliters of garlic extract per kilogram of body weight can cause severe poisoning if the animal ingests the dose over several days. If pets show signs of poisoning, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately.
Enriched pet food with garlic
According to information from animal rights activists, certain animal feeds are still enriched with garlic in order to give the animal owner a healthy effect. So the animal expert Birgitt Thiesmann said: "Unfortunately for dogs and cats are still food, treats or food supplements with garlic in the trade".
The health warning of "Four Paws" is also supported by statements of the Federal Chamber of Veterinarians. A spokesman for the chamber said it is a common misconception that adding garlic to worm infestation helps. Veterinarians therefore warn against over-the-counter veterinary drugs, where accidental overdose of garlic leads to anemia. Birgitt Thiesmann advises therefore: "Even if very small amounts do little harm, it is safest, if our four-legged friends do not take garlic, because a positive effect has not been proven."
Composition of the pet food
In dog osteopathy, the compilation and fortification of dog food has been criticized for some time. Basically, dogs are carnivores. Nevertheless, many animal feeds are sometimes up to 95 percent enriched with corn, cereals or wheat. In addition, flavor enhancers, preservatives and colorants are added, with no specific reference to the list of ingredients. Read also: Species-appropriate dog nutrition (sb)