Garlic dog! 

Is garlic for dogs healthy or toxic?  Can garlic get rid of fleas?  The answer to all these questions is: maybe.

MetPet.com Staff Writer

The stinking rose, which is a member of the lily family, is reputed to have medicinal qualities.   It is a natural anti-bacterial and a blood-thinning agent that reportedly can improve circulation.  Elephant garlic, with it's ultra large cloves, is not really garlic.  It's a member of the leek family and doesn't have the spicy, pungent flavor. 

Garlic for dogs is reputed to be a natural flea remedy.  It can also be toxic, as it can create anemia, in large doses.  As with most things, moderation is the key particularly in small dogs.

Here's an easy way to give your dog a garlic "pill."  Peel a clove (small or large depending on the size of your dog), cut it in half or quarters and then wrap it in thin slices of cheese.  The soft interior of a loaf of bread can also be used.  Place the garlic onto the bread and then squeeze it into a ball.

Make him sit for the treat and then give it to him as a reward.  The piece should be small enough to be swallowed without too much chewing.   Dogs generally love garlic but a raw cloves are a bit too spicy if taken alone. 

As an alternative, you can mince a clove using a garlic press and mix it into his kibble.  The best garlic presses will peel and mince your clove in one action.

Cooking garlic, gently and without burning, in a saute pan will 'sweeten' and soften it.  You can cook several peeled cloves at once and store them, in a covered container in the refrigerator.