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Garlic
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Garlic has been used as food and
medicine for as long as people have recorded history. Its use and highly esteemed
value appear in ancient writings from Egypt, Sumeria, India, China, Persia,
Greece, and Rome. In Biblical times, Jewish tribes not only used garlic for
themselves, but as a potent parasite control and health tonic for their donkeys
and other animals – a tradition still in existence today! Folk herbal healing
methods that have lasted from over 5,000 years ago are considered of great
value to modern scientists looking for evidence of efficacy and safety.
Garlic is a natural herbal conditioner and internal cleanser which has been
used for centuries to assist in maintaining good health. Given regularly,
with adequate nutrition, garlic can help to promote good condition and repel
against flea and worm infestation. Parasitic insects have a sense of
smell that can be up to 10,000 times more sensitive than a human’s. Garlic’s
unique, pungent odor acts as one of its several defenses against insects and
other pests. Yet, the garlic odor itself is mostly noticeable to humans only
at feeding time.
Garlic Doses
Half a teaspoon of garlic powder ( not garlic salt) per pound of food is about right.
Up to one clove per 10 lbs of body weight
Garlic should be introduced gradually (over 5-10 days). Add to regular food
ration. Please allow time to “build up” in the system. It may take Garlic
two to four weeks to permeate all tissues.
Garlic contains protein, fibre, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium,
vitamin A, thiamine, niacin, taurine, zinc & riboflavin. A single clove
of garlic may contain as much as a hundred sulfur compounds which have been
shown to possess medicinal qualities. Used properly, garlic is a valuable
treatment for virtually any form of internal or external bacterial, viral
or fungal infection, including parasites. The Volatile oil is excreted through
the lungs, making it valuable in the treatment of bronchitis and catarrh,
(as well as kennel cough). Fresh garlic can be fed as part of your
dogs diet to fight infections of the mouth, throat, respiratory tract, stomach
or intestines (garlic will make the intestines an unpleasant place for worms).
Garlic can also help stabilize the bacteria found in the gut following
an upset, and is also useful in controlling blood sugar levels in diabetic
animals.
Scientific studies have shown
that various compounds in garlic stimulate immune functions in the bloodstream
at levels of activity that cannot be compared to any other herb. Garlic enhances
overall liver function and triggers enzyme responses to help break down waste
materials before they go into the bloodstream - therefore, garlic helps the
liver cleanse the body and helps to prevent toxic accumulations. Garlic helps
to lower blood cholesterol.
Toxic side effects from consumption of garlic are rare in animals and humans.
However, if it is given in too high a dose over too long a period, garlic
may cause Heinz body anemia (a life threatening blood disease). As with
most things, moderation is the key particularly in small dogs. Other
foods may also cause Heinz body anemia - large amounts of turnips, kale or
anything else containing a high level of vitamin K.
Garlic is reported as being a safe, effective alternative to chemical products
to provides a 24-hour shield against fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, gnats, etc.
It is one of the world’s most powerful antioxidant foods
which promotes friendly bacteria in the digestive tract. It is also
said to provide four times more organic sulfur than any other food and contains
natural MSM.
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.
In her book, "The Healthy Pet Manual – A Guide to the Prevention and Treatment
of Cancer " Deborah Straw mentions 5 Reasons Why Garlic is Recommended
for Dogs:
• Garlic has been given to both humans and animals medicinally for more
than 4000 years.
• A study conducted by the National Cancer Institute found garlic to be
an effective inhibitor in the growth of cancer cells.
• Garlic can help rebuild the immune system and is a good remedy for the
prevention of fleas.
• Selenium, a component of garlic, acts as an antioxidant and activates
enzymes which may protect against cancer.
• Veterinary surgeon Buster Loyd-Jones achieved “spectacular” results by
giving garlic to dogs.
Even if your vet says that your dog is scratching from a flea allergy
you could use a more natural approach to rid your dog of fleas just by feeding
brewer’s yeast or garlic daily. Fleas particularly dislike the flavour
of garlic and yeast (nutritional or brewer's yeast). Mixing garlic and yeast
with your pet's food can render their blood unpalatable to fleas.
Use about a teaspoon of brewer's
(or nutritional) yeast daily for cats and small dogs, and a tablespoon for
a 50-pound dog. Some animals are yeast intolerant and will react with a skin
allergy. Discontinue use if this occurs. Combine the yeast with the garlic
in your animal's food, and consider doubling the dosage during peak flea season.
"Last summer was our first on the brewer's yeast and garlic, but
Sunni had some sort of allergic reaction to the yeast. Instead, per suggestion
of the Golden list, I tried garlic and diluted vinegar. Took maybe a quarter
of a cup and mixed it with almost a gallon of water. Kept it handy in a jug
and gave them all just a Tbsp or two with their meal that was sprinkled with
plain old garlic pwdr. Not a flea in sight this past summer. Was a first!
They say that the fleas detest the taste of garlic and vinegar flavored dog
skin."
Jeannie
Tasty Garlic Recipes
Liver & Garlic Crunchies
Rosemary Stowers shares her recipe for tasty liver titbits
Ingredients
Liver
Garlic
Method
Buy the cheapest liver.
First wash the liver as the blood cooks with the meat and can create powder/granules
which leaves a mess in the pocket.
Cook the liver in the microwave for a short time so that it is easy to cut
into small pieces.
Sprinkle with garlic and cook on high in a covered glass topped dish for
2-3 minutes at a time.
Turn over regularly until tie liver is crunchy but not burnt. It is important
to make sure it is not soft at all in the centre as it will not keep so long
before going mouldy.
Cook until dry and crunchy so that you can put it into your pocket and you
do not have to put it in a polythene bag.
Happy cooking!
Source: Rosemary Stowers
Cheese and Garlic Biscuits
The only problem with this recipe, says Sharon Wells of Training Lines,
is it smells so delicious when it's cooking that when she take them out of
the oven, the dogs have to fight her husband for them!
Ingredients
250g Flour (use any flour or a mixture of flours)
2 eggs
50ml water
150g Cheddar Cheese
Cloves garlic (or use easy garlic, garlic powder or garlic granules)
80g Fat (Try beef dripping)
Add some food colouring if you want a coloured course
Method
Using a food processor, mix garlic and cheese.
Then add flour and fat.
With the machine running, add eggs, and enough water to form a ball of dough.
Knead lightly by hand and roll out on a floured surface to about 3/8-inch
thickness
Cut out with the cutter of your choice and place on a non-stick baking sheet.
Bake at 200° for 15 minutes. Then turn over and cook for a further 10/15
minutes.
Different flours absorb amazingly different quantities of liquid.
If it is dry, add more liquid, if wet, extra flour – dogs really aren’t that
fussy!
The quickest way to make these biscuits is with a food processor but you
can do it by hand if you prefer.
Why not try these biscuits yourselves - they are delicious!
