Does Garlic Get Rid of Fleas for Dogs?

When fleas become a problem for your pet, you are constantly looking for good healthy remedies to treat those fleas and get rid of them. And yes, garlic is one of those remedies to get rid of fleas for dogs.

When administered in small amounts, the garlic your dog eats will repel fleas. Fleas do not like the taste of garlic or its odor. However, you need to be careful about how much garlic you feed your pet.

Keep reading to find out how garlic repels fleas and if it is actually dangerous for your dog to eat.

Will Garlic Hurt My Dog?

This will depend on your dog’s breed and their immune system. Some dog breeds, like Japanese dogs, are very sensitive to garlic and can contract different side effects from eating too much of this vegetable.

Some dogs will react immediately to the garlic, while others may not develop symptoms for a few days. Then some dogs never develop any symptoms and are fine after eating garlic.

The amount of garlic needed to develop symptoms would be 15 to 30 grams per every 2 pounds your dog weighs. Also, you should never feed your dog raw garlic. Monitored garlic intake is okay but you cannot overdo it on the amount of garlic you feed your pet.

How Much Garlic Can Dogs Have?

This will depend on how much your dog weighs. One clove of garlic per day will be enough to fight off fleas in a dog weighing under 30 pounds. 2 cloves per day will be enough for dogs weighing over 30 pounds.

If the fleas are gone, you can reduce the amount of garlic you feed your pet and only give them a clove once every two days and then once every three days. If the fleas return, you can always increase the amount back to one each day.

Make sure to cook the garlic first and add it to their wet food or use a garlic tablet and mix it with their dry dog food.

How Often Can I Give My Dog Garlic for Fleas?

This is a good question as the garlic chemical components that are digested and sent to your dog’s bloodstream can build up over time. It will gather in their fur and their skin. This takes time but one bath should remove that build-up.

You can give your dog 1 or 2 cloves of garlic each day but be careful with the tiny dog breeds. Some vets recommend only 1/2 or 1/4 of a garlic clove will be enough to ward off fleas.

You have to be careful how much garlic you feed your pet. They can build up harmful levels of this vegetable. Also, garlic becomes toxic when mixed with chocolate and raisins. If you feed your dog garlic, omit any of those two items from their diet.

Can I Spray Garlic on My Dog?

Fleas do not like the taste or smell of garlic. They will leave your dog once they realize they are eating this vegetable when they bite your dog. Instead of feeding your pet a clove of garlic each day, you can spray your dog with a garlic spray.

As with feeding your dog garlic cloves, you must be careful of the amount of spray you use each day. It would be best to talk to your vet first before making your own spray. You do not want to make it too potent.

Also, garlic can cause anemia in some dogs which is a health risk for them. Diabetic dogs should not be treated with garlic, spray, powder, or cloves, as the vegetable’s compounds can aggravate insulin problems and be fatal to your pet.

Can I Rub Garlic on My Dog For Fleas?

Yes, this is a good option when you are not comfortable mixing cooked garlic cloves in with his or her food. You can use either garlic powder or garlic salt to achieve the same results.

Those same results can be the removal of fleas or some risks to your dog’s health. You want to go with small amounts to be safe. Be careful as even the powder and the salt can influence the health of your diabetic dog.

Some Final Words

When administered correctly, garlic is a powerful flea repellent. Unfortunately, it is not a flea killer so you would have to employ other flea killing methods to get those creatures out of your home.

Monitor your dog’s garlic intake to make sure they remain healthy and do not have an allergic reaction. Also, cook those cloves first before adding them to their food.