Does this really work?

Question

Giving your dog 1/2 clove of crushed garlic, mixed in with your dog's food, once a day. I was wondering if it could really cure fleas. I was wondering because my grandmas samoyed has flas really bad ans shes taken him to the vet and gotten rid of the fleas but they just seem to come back. PLEASE only answer if you really know. I really need to know if it works or not!

Just to let you all know. I know that garlic can be toxic to dogs that is kinda why I was asking this. And we have taken the dog to the vet many times and gotten rid of the fleas but he is a samoyed and has extermely long fur and he keeps getting them.

Again people I am not stupid. I know that garlic can be toxic to dogs. My grandma wouldn't do it anyway I was just wondering!!!!! And I can afford vet treatment if you read it you could see we have taken him to the vet which means we can afford it!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

For starters, it's a lot of BS about garlic killing dogs. It doesn't.
I've given my dogs a half a clove of garlic a day each
since they were 8 weeks old to prevent fleas. I have a Standard Poodle who is now, 11 years old. I also have a
Golden retriever who is 9 and a Alaskan Husky mix who is 5.
I've never had any problems with fleas.
The bad breath and gas problem goes away after a few weeks of use.
My friends all have had problems with fleas, despite repeated vet treatments with Frontline and similar products. I suggested the garlic and the ones that tried it have had a lot of luck with it, as well.
My vet is one of those old country types that goes around to farms a lot. He says a lot of vets aren't exactly honest with their clients about cheaper flea remedies out there, and put
many of them down because they'd rather sell more expensive meds and make more money. My vet says he's not a vet to get rich, just to help animals. He only charges me $20.00 for a house call for a dog or cat. Shots are usually only $5 each. Most meds are free samples he has, or inexpensive as well.
Spay or neuter is only about $45.00 at his office.

Answer 2

The only thing that will get rid of fleas completely is treatment from the vet - I found that Advantage works really well! Using garlic is an old wives tale and may minimize the number of fleas, but will not eliminate the problem. If your Grandma's dog is an indoor dog and if she just treated the dog but not the house, then she'll never get rid of the fleas - they will lay eggs in the dogs bed, carpet, furniture etc. The vet would have an area spray that your Grandma can use around the house as well as a monthly treatment for the dog. I suggest she use both, and to respray the house after two weeks to kill the newly hatched eggs. Good luck!

Answer 3

Not sure who the so called vet person is but garlic is very good for your dog. Not only for circulation but also, yes to keep the ticks at bay. Not only does a real vet recomend it, we feed our dogs garlic all the time.

Any GOOD vet will tell you it is great for them. My first dog ever lived to be 25, all the other dogs we've ever had lived past the ripe old age of 17 including the labs.

Also another great product is Avon's skin so soft. I grew up on a wooded farm and part of past time was to go berry picking. The dogs were in and out all the time. NO fleas no ticks.

Do you realize how much garlic a dog needs to eat for it to become toxic? More than your dog would ever eat. A clove twice a week will not harm your dog.

Answer 4

If you are still having trouble with fleas, then you may have an infestation that needs to be taken care of. First I would suggest treating your mom's yard and house. At the same time, have the vet treat the dogs again. Then keep using frontline or advantix on your dog regularly to make sure the fleas don't come back.

Talk to your vet, they will be able to give you the products you can use for your house, your yard, and your dogs.

As for the garlic, I think in the long run, it can be bad for your dog. I wouldn't recommend it on a regular basis or in large doses like 1/2 clove. If you check out Dr. fosters and smith.com they have a few of these types of products that you can buy. I wouldn't count on it as my primary treatment plan however. If you have an infestation, then it may not make a difference anyway.

Answer 5

OK so I have done some research on this matter for you, and here is what I have found.

Yes, if you mix garlic and yeast in your pet food can help repel fleas. The reason for this is because. Fleas dislike the taste of garlic. By putting it in your pets food it can render their blood so it won't taste good to the flea. I am including this link for you to read about this info. (about 1/2 way down the page)
http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/fleacontrol.htm
Now that site says garlic is toxic to cats but says nothing about dogs..........so............


http://www.petalia.com.au/templates/storytemplate_process.cfm?story_no=257#ct-4


this link will tell you the effects garlic will have on a dog. Which says:
"While garlic also contains the toxic ingredient thiosulphate, it seems that garlic is less toxic and large amounts would need to be eaten to cause illness."

(I know you already said you know garlic can be toxic to dogs. I just wanted to add this info. I am not saying you should or should not give it to your dog......I'm just trying to answer your question for you and it is:

Yes, garlic can repel fleas.

I hope this helps!

GOOD LUCK:
Brandie!

Answer 6

Listen. Garlic may have some effectiveness against fleas, but, as you know, it can be toxic. So why anyone would give it to their dogs when licensed, effective SAFE flea treatments are available is beyond me.

To the people who said they gave their dogs garlic without problem: Good for you. There are always exceptions to the rule - but garlic/onions are KNOWN to be toxic to dogs and cats, so why risk it. Ive seen the bad effects for myself. It doesn't have to take a lot to kill either. Some people take 3 ecstasy tabs without any problems for heavens sake, doesn't mean it's A-OK and everyone will be fine, as we know!

The only people I've known to say Frontline doesn't work have been applying it incorrectly. The majority of people who say their pet doesn't have fleas after using petshop products or home remedies turn out to be dead wrong. Just because you're not getting bitten or your pet isn't scratching doesn't mean the little buggers aren't there causing problems!!

Anyway, sounds like you know what the score is. As for your Grandma's samoyed - fleas do come back if a preventative treatment isn't continually applied (Frontline, Revolution etc) to keep them away. The house may also need the old vacuum-spray-vaccum-spray-vaccum treatment!

Chalice

Answer 7

There is a lot of debate among vets over the garlic issue and dogs. Every vet I have talked to over the years agrees
that onions, chives, and leeks can, and often do, kill dogs and cats. The animals deveolp something called Heinz Body Hemolytic Anemia.
All of the vets I've talked too agree, too that Garlic is bad for cats and ferrets, too.
However small to moderate doses of garlic in dogs to control fleas or treat other medical problems such as arthritis, can be okay for some breeds of dogs, I'm told.
Many of the vets have heard of cases of people giving their dogs garlic and brewers yeast pills without problems.
I'm told a lot depends on the breed, size, age, and overall health of the animal in question and the amount of garlic given.
Due to the food recall, I bought a book called
Natural Food Recipes For Healthy Dogs by Carol Boyl.
Some of the recipes contain garlic.
I've fed them to my dogs without a problem.
I have mixed breed larger dogs except for a chihuahua.

Answer 8

I'm going to take a wild shot here and assume that the dog lives inside. The reason the fleas then keep coming back is because the fleas are not only living on your dog but in the house as well (IE: in the carpet and possibly furniture). You'll need to get something to kill the ones living in the house as well as on the dog or you will not get rid of them.

Answer 9

I gave garlic to my dogs for thirty years and never had a problem. However, I have switched to natural methods because of the numerous problems some dogs have had with Frontline and Advantage.

Lemon and Lemon grass are natural methods of preventing fleas and ticks and it won't compromise their immune system. The Lemon dish soap method does work but their are products out there that work the same way but without the chance of skin irritation.

Go to www.spotorganics.com

They have excellent products that are far better for the animal than what you are likely to get from the vet.

C

Answer 10

I have two long hair border collies who work out in fields and woods every day. I use Front Line every month and have never had a flea or tick problem. Not a single tick has ever been on either dog even though I have picked several off myself. You put it on a small spot on the back and its gone in a day. Its safe and effective and not much money.