My dog ate garlic — what should I do?
Depends on the dose — check the calculator
What to do now
- Risk depends on how much garlic your dog ate per kg of body weight (1 mg/kg → YELLOW, 1000 mg/kg → RED). Use the PawPanic calculator with your dog's weight and the amount.
- If you can't estimate the amount, assume the worst and call your vet or a poison hotline.
- Remove any remaining material and keep packaging/labels — the vet will want product names and amounts.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control expert tells you to.
- Note the time it was eaten, roughly how much, and your dog's weight.
Why it's a problem
Allium; Merck: garlic is 3-5x more toxic than onion.
Symptoms to watch for
Weakness, pale gums, red urine, vomiting.
When: 1-5 days
Frequently asked questions
Is garlic dangerous for dogs?
It depends on the amount and your dog's weight. Allium; Merck: garlic is 3-5x more toxic than onion. Use the PawPanic calculator or call your vet.
What are the symptoms if my dog ate garlic?
Weakness, pale gums, red urine, vomiting.
How soon do symptoms appear after a dog eats garlic?
1-5 days
What should I do if my dog ate garlic?
If you can't estimate the amount, assume the worst and call your vet or a poison hotline.
Who can I call for help?
ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661, both 24/7 (fees may apply), or your nearest emergency vet.
Dose guidance
Derived: onion threshold (5 g/kg) / 5 = 1 g/kg for RED (most conservative ratio). No direct garlic threshold is published.
⚖️ Evidence note: Garlic threshold is derived from the onion threshold and Merck potency ratio.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Garlic and onion toxicosis
- Pet Poison Helpline: garlic
- ASPCA Toxic & Non-Toxic Plants: garlic
Last verified against these sources: 2026-10-13. Where sources disagree, PawPanic uses the more conservative guidance.
Also known as: garlic powder, garlic bread, garlic salt · Category: Food · Last reviewed 2026-10-14