Do Garlic Pills Work for Fleas on Dogs?

Although there is no scientific evidence to back these claims, many owners believe that garlic pills work for fleas on dogs. It is a tricky choice to make because large quantities of garlic are toxic to canines. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to consult your veterinarian before trying this remedy on your pooch. Keep reading to know why garlic is dangerous for dogs and learn how you can use it to kill fleas.

What Does Garlic Do to a Dog?

Just like other members of the Allium family, garlic will make the red blood cells of your dog fragile. This is because it contains thiosulphates and disulfides that are toxic for canines and other pets. The damaged cells will start bursting (and dying) and it will eventually lead to anemia. Your dog can suffer from different kinds of anemia after ingesting garlic, such as Heinz body anemia and hemolytic anemia. All of these conditions will affect blood circulation and are dangerous for your canine friend.

How to Use Garlic to Kill Fleas on Dogs?

There are several ways in which garlic is used to counter fleas on dogs. Adding garlic to your pup’s diet is probably the most common among them. It increases the amount of garlic in the dog’s blood and helps in repelling the fleas away. Keep reading to learn the safe way of incorporating garlic in your dog’s meal.

• Weigh your dog to figure out the safe amount of garlic for him/her. The general rule of thumb is to give one clove of garlic per day to dogs that weigh less than 30 pounds. Canines bigger than that should have 2 cloves a day (at least).
• Once the quantity is finalized, remove the outer husk of the clove. Feed the inner part of the clove to your dog.
• If your pet refuses to consume raw garlic, you will need to disguise it. For instance, you can hide the clove in a piece of meat. Most pups will eat it without much of a problem.
• Some dogs are finicky and this technique might not work for them. If that’s the case, grate the clove in your dog’s meal so that it can’t be detected.
• When the fleas seem to be going away, you need to reduce the quantity of garlic every other day. However, it’s important to observe your pooch closely and increase the dosage if the fleas re-appear.
• If your dog is not accepting garlic cloves in any form, you can use garlic pills for fleas on dogs. They are very small and it’s much easier to hide them in your pup’s meal.

How Long Does It Take for Garlic to Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs?

Garlic can take a week or more to remove fleas from your dog. Therefore, it’s imperative to start giving garlic to your pooch at the first sign of fleas. This will ensure that the infestation is stopped right at the beginning. Hence, your dog will be saved from a lot of discomfort (and itching).  

Can I Spray Garlic on My Dog?

Yes, you can. Garlic spray is considered safe for canines and can be quite beneficial against fleas. The unpleasant smell of garlic will keep the fleas away from your pet. Hence, they won’t be able to bite or lay eggs on the body of your canine friend. Just make sure that the spray is not very strong and that you are using it optimally. This is because overuse of garlic on your dog’s skin can cause irritation and other problems.

Does Garlic Spray Repel Fleas?

Yes, it does. Dog owners have been using this technique for many years and have found significant success. Although there is no scientific evidence to back this up, garlic spray is effective at keeping fleas away. This natural flea killer works by attacking fleas during the egg and larvae stages. Hence, it is able to kill them and stop their reproduction cycle as well.  

How to Make Garlic Spray for Fleas at Home?

This basic recipe can prove very useful for countering flea infestation on dogs. It is extremely simple and easy to make and won’t take more than a few minutes.

Ingredients:

• 2 whole bulbs of garlic
• Boiling water

Instructions

1. Peel and chop the garlic and place it in a heatproof container (a jar or pan).
2. Add some boiling water to the garlic until the pieces are just covered.
3. Allow the mixture to steep overnight so that the oils infuse the water.
4. Strain out the garlic pieces and bottle the water into a spray bottle.
5. This is the time to add any additions (like Castile soaps and vegetable oil) to the garlic water. 

Thanks to Knowledge Weighs Nothing for this recipe.