I also have been told that garlic is OK for dogs. The fleas hate it! Its raisins, chocolate, and onions that they need to avoid.

My dogs love these. How can anyone think that store bought biscuits are OK and these made-at-home biscuits are not?

I have given my dogs all the same foods I eat and my mother always fed her dog by cleaning out the frying pan with hot water and all of the onion skins, and vegetable peelings that were left and she would cook it for a few minutes and pour it over his store-bought dog food.

Many of these ideas about dogs not being able to eat anything but commercial dog food no doubt originated with pet food companies trying to get people to stop feeding their dogs leftovers because it cuts into the profits. Let's not be so gullible people! Think about stray dogs running around eating trash and what about coyotes, foxes and wolves? They seem to survive but they don't get their food from the supermarket. Did anyone ever tell them to avoid garlic? :)

Garlic hasn't hurt my dog whatsoever. I put garlic powder in her egg everyday. Garlic also keep fleas away. I understand that some people don't ever give their dogs anything but dog food, ever. Some people feed their dogs table scraps. As long as you don't over do it, it's fine. Besides garlic is optional.

Do you have ant suggestions for "beef fat". Do you mean the fat drain off from cooked meat or fat cut away from raw meat. Thanks- BJ

This sounds like another one of those Urban Legends. I've always given my dog leftovers, garlic and all. But the recipe does say "pinch" which can't be much and (optional) if you want to leave it out.

I have fed garlic, usually fresh and cooked into their food to my dogs for forty years. But, never onions or chocolate. A large dog may be able handle a small amount if eaten accidentally, but why chance it. They have all lived long healthy lives with few flea and tick problems. They LOVE the flavor of garlic as much as the fleas hate it. I always use eggs whole in the shell for the extra calcium and sometimes I substitute some of the wheat flour with oatmeal. I trim my beef and freeze the fat until I have enough to cook down. The best source is when I make homemade pastrami. Lots of fat on an untrimmed brisket that needs to be removed before curing. My dogs sit patiently alert when I start trimming. They know something good is coming their way. My father, a butcher, taught me to never feed a dog raw meat. Not sure if this is an old wives tale, but he felt "house" dogs should never taste raw blood. Not for health reasons, but so they don't see small vermin like rats or squirrels as food.

What about the beef fat? My dog recently had Pancreatitis & I'm terrified to give her any fat.

How long will these keep and do they freeze well? Thanks!

Hi Karen,

Yes, they will freeze well and your dog won't mind! :) Let them air dry for a few hours before storing in an air tight tin. If you want to keep them for longer than a week, you might keep them in the refrigerator.

-- CM

Fresh Garlic that is baked or cooked in another ingredient is great source for deworming an animal. I'm not sure of garlic powders and salts as that is man made and not natural.
I have 4 large dogs that I have treats for as rewards but with this recipe I would not hesitate to give them more then usual. Garlic used in small quantities is very good for them and can also help with fleas and ticks as the garlic smell they hate. Raw garlic by itself can upset their digestive system. Take a bite and you will see. Wow it kinda burns.

Hi Carolyn,

Garlic powder isn't man-made, despite what many people think. I've often made my own garlic powder in a food dehydrator and the results are just like the store bought version. When you read the label on the garlic powder container, you'll see that there is only one ingredient: "garlic". Some contain anti-caking agents, but the one I have doesn't.

Garlic powder is peeled garlic, dehydrated completely, then pulverized in a food processor until it becomes a powder. This is very much like other foods you're familiar with, such as some flours, cereals, corn starch, etc.

And by the way, taking a bite of raw garlic can help relieve toothache (garlic has antibacterial properties!).

-- CM

I would NEVER use the recipe above due to the ingredient Garlic, you should never give a dog garlic.

Hi Loann,

The small amount of garlic in the recipe doesn't add any actual quantity, it's only for the aroma, which dogs love. Your goal is to make a dog cookie that the dog will want to eat. Feel free to take the recipe to your vet and verify that this is not a harmful quantity, or you may just want to leave it out. My dogs have always been healthy, long-lived and happy to share many leftovers, including those with garlic.

-- CM

Well in actual fact the garlic is good for dogs. We were always told to add garlic to our puppies dinner as it helps to fight off fleas and ticks as well as helps to make their coat shiny. This was told from our vet when we started getting his ears looked at (great facts).

I contacted my vet's office and they said onion is what you want to avoid in pet recipes. Garlic is actually a good deterrent for ticks and fleas. They said not to use much garlic though... I would think a "pinch" would not be harmful. Thanks for the recipe... MY PETS LOVE IT!!

I have a friend who gives her dogs raw crushed garlic mixed in with their food every day. Her dogs NEVER get ticks, fleas or worms. And their breath doesn't stink like garlic.

Garlic IS good for dogs, it kills the worms in their intestines.It also imparts an odor on the coat that repels ticks & fleas. Garlic capsules work well, you can put it in their throat on the back of their tongue so they swallow it and they wont bite into it. We give it to our dog and she is a thriving 2 year old.
It sounds to me as if Loann hates garlic. But the benefits for people are far more than for a dog.So are onions. Cleans the arteries...............