While a variety of prescription and over-the-counter products are available to prevent flea and tick infestation in pets, many owners are concerned about the possible long-term health effects of these products. Garlic--a member of the "Allum" genus, a branch of the lily family that also includes shallots and onions--has been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years and is believed to be an effective flea and tick repellent.
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How Garlic Repels Fleas and Ticks
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The reason garlic is believed to repel fleas and ticks is simple: It tastes bad. When an animal ingests garlic, certain compounds are excreted through the skin. When fleas and ticks either come in proximity to or bite the skin of a pet that has ingested garlic, it repels them.
Effectiveness
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Garlic is believed by many pet owners and experts to be an effective means of repelling fleas and ticks, but not all experts agree. Some vets do not believe garlic is a viable means of flea and tick control. Many vets who do believe it is effective recommend using garlic in combination with other natural treatments (such as dietary brewer's yeast and herbal flea powders), oral medications, topical treatments and/or tick collars under the consultation of a veterinarian to avoid the possibility of overdosing.
Dosage
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The website Natural Dog Health Remedies recommends giving dogs 1/8 tsp. garlic powder per pound of dog food three or four times a week. As with many herbal treatments, time off the product is recommended--either by excluding it from the diet one or two days a week or by omitting the product for regular one-week intervals. Fresh cloves can also be used within a few hours of chopping or pressing once a day at a rate of half of a clove for dogs 10 to 15 lbs., 1 clove for dogs 20 to 40 lbs., 2 cloves for dogs 45 to 70 lbs., 2 1/2 cloves for dogs 75 to 90 lbs. and 3 cloves for dogs over 100 lbs. Cats may have different tolerances, and the consultation of a knowledgeable practitioner should be sought.
Cautions
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In large doses, garlic can be dangerous for pets by causing oxidative damage to red blood cells and, in severe cases, Heinz body anemia, which can lead to death. However, an animal would need to ingest large doses for this to occur. For example, a 60-pound dog would have to ingest several cloves of garlic for several days in a row to cause serious damage, according to the website Natural Dog Health Remedies. The danger lies in the compound n-propyldisulfide, which is present in much larger amounts in onions.
However, no amount of garlic should be given to pets with pre-existing anemic conditions, those scheduled for surgery or those under 8 weeks of age.
Other Heath Benefits
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Garlic is believed to be a healthy supplement in the proper dosages for a variety of reasons other than flea and tick control. Approximately 30 compounds present in garlic have been identified as beneficial for a variety of reasons in both humans and animals, including boosting the immune system, fighting bacterial, viral and fungal infections, increasing liver function, decreasing cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and preventing blood clots.
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