Garlic contains multiple sulphur-inclusive compounds. Allinn and another enzyme ‘alliinase’, both present in garlic, but contained in separate cells gain the opportunity to combine and create a new enzyme called ‘allicin’ when garlic is chopped, crushed, minced or chewed. Allicin (an anti-biotic, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, heart healthy enzyme) is the most beneficial of the healthful enzymes in garlic. 

5.0 Activating the Medicinal Properties

Use Fresh Garlic and Prepare it As Follows... 

• Chop, crush, mince or press/bruise the fresh garlic, and then;
• Allow to sit at room temperature for at minimum five (5) minutes and better ten (10) to fifteen (15) minutes;
• This gives the allinn and alliinase sufficient time to undergo the enzymic reaction that creates allicin - the medicinal ingredient in garlic;
• Mix the garlic into your dog's food in his/her bowl and its now time for your dog to eat;
• The medicinal properties remain active for up to one (1) hour after you have activiated them;
• After one hour has passed the medicinal properties begin to degrade which is why it is improtant to use fresh prepared garlic. 

6.0 Forms of Garlic You Should Not Use 

Dry, Dehydrated, Powdered, Mixed Garlic, Supplement

• Do not add garlic in a mixed form to your dogs diet  - i.e. garlic steak spice 
• May contain fillers, sugar, salt and herbs or spices, food colouring and other additives that are not safe for dogs to consume;
• Dehydrated, powdered garlic, or preserved minced garlic intended for culinary use has been degraded from processing and it's medicinal qualities are lost - it's only remaining purpose is to please the human palate - don't give these forms of garlic to your dog as they offer no benefit.

• Fresh always refrigerated preserved garlic - much like fresh sauerkraout that has been pickled/preserved/fermented in pure water (not in wine and with other additives) and has been kept refrigerated after the initial curing period will have beneficial probiotic property may not have the other medicinal qualities offered by fresh garlic.

• Cooked garlic does not retain the medicinal properties found in fresh garlic.

When I refer to ‘garlic’ I mean garlic in its pure, fresh form.

• 1 clove fresh raw or black garlic per every:
• 30 pounds of body weight
• 13.6 kg of body weight

• For dogs less than 30 pounds:
• 20 pound dog - 2/3 of a clove
• 15 pound dog - 1/2 of a clove
• 10 pound dog - 1/3 of a clove
• 5 pound dog - 1/6 of a clove

• 1 teaspoon (tsp) fresh, raw minced/finely chopped garlic per every:
•  30 lbs of body weight
• 13.6 kg of body weight

• For dogs less than 30 pounds:
• 20 pound dog - 2/3 of a tsp
• 15 pound dog - 1/2 of a tsp
• 10 pound dog - 1/3 of a tsp
• 5 pound dog - 1/6 of a tsp

 

• Pregnant and Lactating Dogs
• When used in the dosage provided above, garlic is safe for pregnant dogs;
• The only caution around garlic for pregnant dogs is that if ingested in large quantities it can flavor the milk of lactating females (human and canine).

• Puppies
• As a general guideline for puppies...
• Don't give garlic to puppies that are 6 months of age or younger.

• Garlic From China
• Some garlic from China has been found to be contaminated with high levels of arsenic, lead and added sulfites.

• If your dog has IBS or Colitis
• Garlic is high in insoluble fibre and sulfur compounds - as a general rule it is best  not to give fresh garlic to dogs that have IBS or colitis.

•  If your dog is on cyclosporine:
• Garlic may increase the rate at which cyclosprine is broken down by the body, and;
• Might decrease the effectiveness of cyclosporine;
• So, do not give your dog garlic if he/she is on cyclosporin.

• If your dog is on any medication that is changed by the liver. 

• If your dog is on a blood thinner:
• Consult your veterinarian before giving your dog garlic;
• Garlic can slow down blood clotting -  garlic may increase the efficacy of the blood thinner;
• The dosage of the blood thinner would need to be adjusted for intake of garlic.