garlic?

[mama fletch]

Hi all...
After lurking for what seems like forever, we finally brought our new pup Truman home this week. The breeder was feeding him Natural Choice puppy. I plan on slowly switching to TOTW after reading so much about it on here. The breeder also suggested a little yogurt at each meal, so I am doing that. My question is this. My friend swears by adding a little garlic each day to ward off fleas, and olive oil to improve the coat. Is this a good idea? I have read a lot on here, but nothing about that.
Thanks so much for any help. We are having so much fun

 

[gmacleod]

Yes, garlic is a natural flea/tick repellent I'm not sure I'd give it to a puppy this young though... The thing about garlic is that it IS a member of the onion family, and onions are toxic to dogs. However, garlic is a very weak onion, and the amounts given are small - so you're unlikely to reach anywhere near a toxic dose. Nonetheless, I think I'd probably be inclined to hold on giving it for a couple of months, unless you have a major flea problem (the same applies to chemical treatments, of course!). Also, it is not necessary to give daily - once a week or so will suffice perfectly well.

If you do a search on the site -possibly the raw feeding forum is the best place - you will find previous threads about garlic as a flea/tick repellent. Possibly those would have some useful information for you.

 

[Cami]

I'd forgo the olive oil and supplement with fish oil.