Can Your Animal's Health Benefit From A Garlic Supplement?

Have you used garlic? You are likely to have used it in your cooking. But have you tried it as a supplement for your health? And did you know some animals can have garlic for their health too?

Garlic contains several beneficial properties, including "allicin". This is an anti-biotic, anti-septic and anti-bacterial compound.

Horses and dogs are the animals who most often have garlic supplementation. But there can be concerns about its safety using garlic with cats, and with some breeds of dogs.

So why is this? Garlic is a plant that's part of the same family as onions. This family is "allium". All species of allium can be toxic to dogs and cats. But it's thought that garlic does not contain the same levels of toxins that an onion does.

With this in mind, can you give your dog any kind of garlic supplementation? In 2018, research took place looking at the safety and efficacy of aged garlic extract in dogs (read here). And this showed, provided it's at an appropriate dose, yes it is safe for some breeds of dogs. Some breeds though are more sensitive to the toxins, (the research suggests this is Japenese or Korean dogs).

Although there's little research on the safety of garlic for cats. It's thought that with an appropriate level of supplementation it is ok, and you can use it.

Garlic is safe for horses, as long as it's not over-used. So keep within recommended (by veterinary surgeon or reputable manufacturer) guidelines!

If you want to know more about the research around garlic for health, take a look here.

How to give your dog, horse or cat garlic safely?

Use a properly, professionally formulated supplement for dogs, horses or cats. And stick to the recommended daily amount.

If of course, your animal has any kind of ailment, or is on medication then always get your veterinary surgeon's permission before using a supplement, including garlic. This is to avoid any side effects.

Be clear why you want to use a garlic supplement too - if your dog or horse has a balanced healthy diet. Then supplementation may not be necessary.

Why feed a garlic supplement to your animal?

• Use with horses as a fly repellent
• Use with horses, dogs or cats to help with respiratory health

Evidence for garlic use with animals?

Horses who have garlic as a fly repellent (the smell is said to repel the flies), sometimes do find it of benefit. But then other horses don't find it of any help.

As with any medicine - herbal or otherwise, what works for one animal won't work for another. There has been some research though, please see below.

• Saastamoinen M, Särkijärvi S, Hyyppä S. Garlic (Allium Sativum) Supplementation Improves Respiratory Health but Has Increased Risk of Lower Hematologic Values in Horses. Animals (Basel). 2019;9(1):13. Published 2019 Jan 2. doi:10.3390/ani9010013
• Innovative Veterinary Care Journal https://ivcjournal.com/garlic/

Also check out this case study from Beth Chamberlin on how zoopharmacognosy helped a horse with a tendon injury, and the role that garlic essential oil played, read here.

Are there any other animals who can have garlic supplementation?

Yes there are! Birds (poultry, avian birds and pigeons) can all take garlic, to help with respiratory health, digestion and with resistance to internal parasites. Hilton Herbs are one supplier who have 'garlic juice', specifically for birds.

Where Can You Buy Garlic For Your Animal (or Bird)?

Garlic can be bought for your animal, in either liquid, granular, powder or tablet form.

As I mentioned above Hilton Herbs are one natural animal healthcare supplier who have garlic. Not just for birds, but also for other animals. There are many other reputable natural pet care suppliers too. Some you may find in your local animal feed store.

Do only buy garlic that is formulated for animals, and that comes with clear professional guidance on using it. Don't just use the garlic from your kitchen store cupboard - it'd be too easy to give the wrong amount for one thing!


Like help finding a veterinary surgeon or therapist for your animal?
Please email me at info at taranet . co. uk

Please remember that if your horse, dog or other animal is unwell. Or on any kind of medication or other supplement. Then always speak to your Veterinary Surgeon first before using any supplement or therapy. Even natural ones. To avoid any possible issues.

And do you know someone who'd find this helpful? Please share, the more we can spread awareness of the benefits of natural therapies the better! :)

Find out more about other natural animal therapies here at Taranet. Or read other articles in this Natural Pet Health Blog. Take a look at the sitemap here to explore!

About the Author

Suzanne Harris is founder of this Taranet website at www.taranet.co.uk, and also provides business coaching to horse and dog care and veterinary professionals.

5 Reasons Your Pet Will Love Basil

Is Basil Just A Nice Flavour?

Do you love using basil in your cooking? That's often what this herb is most known for. For giving some taste to different dishes, often tomato ones.

But basil is well known as a herb to help human health. And there's well over 100 different types of it!

Basil contains several nutrients. Including Vitamins A and C. And also calcium, phosphorus, beta carotene.

These are all helpful for the body - including your pets'!

As well as eating Basil, it's possible to use it as an essential oil. Aromatherapy is also powerful. Whether human, horse or dog, smells make a difference to how we feel. And so can make a big impact on our wellbeing.

Here's 5 top reasons to use Basil with your horse or dog

1. Diabetes management. Research took place in 2020, that showed the beneficial effect of including basil in dog's diets to improve the glycemic status. Read more here
2. Anti-bacterial. Basil leaves are used in holistic veterinary medicine for their anti-bacterial properties.
3. Stimulate energy flow. As an essential oil, holy basil is used in zoopharmacognosy to help improve energy flow
4. Respiratory health. If your horse or dog need help with this, basil maybe useful to consider.
5. Digestive health. Basil contains a substance called Eugenol. This is understood by science to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the digestive system.

How Would You Know If Your Animal Should Try Basil?

If your animal is unwell or on any medication, then of course speak to your veterinary surgeon for advice. There are many veterinary surgeons who specialise in complementary medicine, including herbal approaches. So have a consultation with one for help on your individual animal.

You'll find many natural herbal horse and dog care supplements for different issues, such as respiratory health, that may contain basil. These maybe recommended by your veterinary surgeon.

How To Get Basil For Your Horse or Dog?

First of all don't use the basil in your kitchen cupboard! The basil you use in cooking isn't what's needed.

Buy a supplement from a reputable manufacturer such as Hilton Herbs, Global Herbs, etc. You can find basil essential oil for aromatherapy from Caroline Ingraham.

Veterinary Research on Benefits of Basil Herb for Animals

• The effects of the avilamycin, Protexin® and basil essential oil supplements on ileal bacteria of broiler chickens (2015)
• The Benefits of Basil leaves as Natural Medicine in Livestock Production (2018)

As with all therapies and treatments - use only those that your Veterinary Surgeon approves. Whilst herbal medicine is generally very safe, there maybe some reasons why it won't be suitable for your horse, dog or other animal. It may not even work properly if your animal is on other medication, so do get your Veterinary Surgeon's permission first.

Find out more about other natural animal therapies here at Taranet. Or read other articles in this Natural Pet Health Blog. Take a look at the sitemap here to explore!

About the Author

Suzanne Harris is founder of this Taranet website at www.taranet.co.uk, and also provides business coaching to horse and dog care and veterinary professionals.

Care For Your Cockapoo With Complementary Therapies

What Is A Cockapoo?

A cockapoo is a dog who's a cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle. They're cute and cuddly and often bundles of fun. Loving to run about and oozing character.

Cockapoo's are often a dog breed choice, for people with allergies. As their coat is such that it doesn't seem to affect many people, who'd be allergic to longer hair breeds. It does though depend on the particular dog. As there are variations in the breeding (see http://www.cockapooclubgb.co.uk/)

Can you use natural therapies to care for your cockapoo?

In short yes! Here's 3 popular natural ways for helping to keep your cockapoo happy

1. Bach Flower Remedies. There are 38 of these remedies, all helping with the emotions. Whatever your cockapoo is feeling, there'll be a Bach Flower Remedy which will help. Does your dog get overwhelmed and worried in certain situations? Do loud noises or firework noise scare your dog? Is your dog over-excited in certain places? Although good training is essential, and no therapy will replace good training. Bach Flower Remedies can assist with training and as part of a holistic care for your cockapoo.

You can find Bach Flower Remedy practitioners for animals around the world. Or why not take a course with The Bach Centre to learn how to help your own dog.

2. Massage. Canine massage is relaxing and therapeutic for all dogs. Including your cockapoo. Dogs of all sizes can get muscle strain. Running and jumping about can create muscular tension. But even walking about can cause strains, especially if the ground is uneven. Or if your dog doesn't have a variety of walking on different surfaces it can create a repetitive strain.

A trained canine massage therapist can help your cockapoo. Or you can take a dog owners canine massage course to help your own dog.

3. Reiki. This is an energy therapy. If your cockapoo has an injury or illness and isn't happy because of this. Then Reiki can help your dog cope with the emotion of the situation. Or if your cockapoo feels over excited or upset. Then Reiki can help your dog feel calmer and more relaxed.

Again there are many Reiki for animals practitioners around the world. And you can take a Reiki course to learn how to help your own dog.

In conclusion. Your cockapoo can enjoy many natural therapies. I've just listed three here, but there are many others. Many dogs enjoy complementary therapies and your cockapoo can too!

As with all therapies and treatments - use only those that your Veterinary Surgeon approves. There maybe some reasons why a therapy won't be suitable for your dog. But generally the 3 featured here are very safe. It's important that you don't delay your cockapoo receiving treatment or diagnosis if he or she is unwell. So if your dog is ill, get your Veterinary Surgeon's diagnosis first.

Find out more about other natural animal therapies here at Taranet. Or read other articles in this Natural Pet Health Blog. Take a look at the sitemap here to explore!

About the Author

Suzanne Harris is founder of this Taranet website at www.taranet.co.uk, and also provides business coaching to horse and dog care and veterinary professionals.