Garlic For Your Pets

By Barbara Lombardi

Garlic is a wonderful herb for your pets. It has been used as a food flavoring, blood purifier, antibiotic, and antiparasitic drug.

It is said to be vital to the circulation, the digestion, and the nervous system by purging toxins, stimulating the lymphatic system, and building the immune system. It may be able to prevent diarrhea and bacterial, viral, and yeast infections.

It is believed that garlic can be beneficial in maintaining a healthy flow of blood through the circulatory system and in providing protection against free radicals (the highly unstable oxygen molecules that damage body tissues and may be responsible for many effects of aging).

But beware, large quantities may lead to stomach upset. Garlic contains natural coumarin, an anticoagulant that decreases platelet aggregation and may thus increase the risk of bleeding. Garlic may also decrease the intestine's ability to synthesize vitamin K which is necessary for normal clotting of blood. When given garlic, pets may have a looser stool than normal.

And believe it or not, garlic powder rubbed liberally onto the skin may decrease the flea population on the pet. The garlic should also be sprinkled onto the pet's bedding. Some claim that feeding raw, chopped garlic is the best way to decrease the flea population on a pet, but these claims have not been verified through research, and I don't know about your pet, but I would have to wrestle my golden retriever to the ground before she would EVER come that close to a clove of garlic.

About the Author:

After moving to Florida I decided to combine my love for writing with my knowledge of pets. For ten years I owned and operated a local pet sitting service and gained a wealth of information regarding pet care. In addition I have been an English teacher for several years as well as an aspiring writer. I recently completed a Masters Degree in Educational technology and I am looking forward to teaching college classes online. I am freelance writing and living happily in Florida with my husband and our Nikki, the most lovable golden retriever I know.

Article courtesy of Suite101.com.