Garlic
ToxicVerdict
Never — more potent than onion, causes blood cell damage.
Toxic principle: thiosulfate, organosulfur compounds
Source: ASPCA
Verdict
Garlic belongs to the allium family and contains thiosulfates at 5× the concentration of onion by weight. Regular small exposures (such as garlic supplements marketed for dogs) can cause cumulative toxicity. Japanese breeds like Akitas and Shibas are particularly sensitive. All forms are dangerous: raw, cooked, powdered, or in supplements.
Symptoms to watch for
- • pale or yellowish gums
- • lethargy
- • loss of appetite
- • rapid breathing
- • vomiting
- • reddish urine (hemoglobinuria)
What to do
Contact your vet. Do not give garlic supplements. If a large amount was consumed recently, your vet may induce vomiting and run blood work to monitor for anemia developing over the next few days.
📞 US ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 888-426-4435