How Bad is Garlic?

[Ripshod]

I've always believed that garlic and onion were bad for our fids, but I was looking at the ingredients for a popular food from a popular manufacturer and garlic is listed in the ingredients. Just how bad is garlic?

 

[Zara]

I always thought all alliums are a no-no.

I recently saw a Spanish lassie on youtube tell her followers that Leeks are bird safe... I didn´t think they were either.

 

[Lady Jane]

Years ago I bought a mix that is cooked for parrots. I never knew there was garlic in it until my TAG had garlic breath. She was stinky for about one week and I cannot stand the odor of garlic.

These yummy spices, believed to be heart healthy for people, are well-known toxins to dogs and cats and have caused fatalities in geese and other pet birds. Onions — cooked, raw or dehydrated — contain sulfur compounds that, when chewed, can cause rupture of red blood cells, leading to anemia (inadequate numbers of red blood cells). Onions also can irritate a bird’s mouth, esophagus and crop, and may lead to ulcers. Garlic contains a chemical called allicin, which in rare cases also can cause anemia in birds. Bland is best in birds — keep these spices out of your birdie’s body.

 

[Zara]

I was looking at the ingredients for a popular food from a popular manufacturer

What food is it?

 

[Ripshod]

What food is it?

Off the top of my head Top's Tesoro Parrot Treat, and a little shocker Tidymix Garlic Sticks.
I did see garlic listed in a main food product but it slips my mind right now. When I find out which one it is I'll inform my vendor, see if they're even aware.

 

[Mizzely]

Garlic is one of those weird things. Yes, it can be harmful but in small doses, even for dogs and birds, it has been shown to be beneficial.

 

[Leih]

I made a potato and leek soup the other day and suddenly realized that I shouldn't have Galahad out in the kitchen while I'm cooking (I usually use a ceramic pot, but the leek smell was getting strong.)

 

[d_msparkles]

Early in having her, I accidentally fed Waffle hash browns with garlic in them and didn’t notice until after the fact. I completely freaked out but she was fine.
There are probably dosage levels that are safe, but I wouldn’t take any chances personally.

 

[Hankmacaw]

Remember that Jasper has special issues and that the garlic has been prescribed by her Dr. She has been with the same veterinarian for 19 years and he has saved her life more than once.

Garlic has a property that gives arteries a quick loosening of the wall muscles which relieves high blood pressure and increases circulation temporarily. Garlic is very fast acting and has strong action for a short period of time.

Because of Jasper's high blood pressure and atherosclerosis, she gets liquid garlic twice a day every day.

 

[Ripshod]

Thanks for the replies everyone. But we're left with the question - how much is just enough?
I'm not going to take chances with these treats, but I know there's going to be lots of bird owners overfeeding with this stuff.
When in doubt, leave it out!

 

[Rain Bow]

Thanks for the replies everyone. But we're left with the question - how much is just enough?
I'm not going to take chances with these treats, but I know there's going to be lots of bird owners overfeeding with this stuff.
When in doubt, leave it out!

I think there's a difference between the potency in fresh & dried... @Hawk12237 may know or be able to check 1 of his wifes bookies. I'm tagging because he mentioned specifically "fresh" garlic to me recently. It is better known in the vet community for its good/healing properties, as @Hankmacaw mentioned. (As I understand it anyway)

 

[Shezbug]

I was looking at some bird stores (online) the other day and noticed a shop specially for racing pigeons and they sell a garlic oil and some other herb oils for birds. It peaked my curiosity and I meant to contact the shop to see if I could find out more about it and what they use it for but I had forgotten till now.
I was wondering how much is too much as I have been told not to give garlic to my dogs too but they get it a lot as I know small amounts of garlic can do wonders for many ailments. I have always fed all my dogs and cats small amounts of garlic regularly and only found out that it is apparently harmful years after doing it. I asked my vet about it and she said in small amounts it is beneficial for many things so my dogs still get garlic regularly. I am not game to give Burt anything with garlic as I do not know how much would be safe but he always seems more interested in the foods I have that smell like garlic than any other foods I eat.....maybe because I really enjoy the flavor of garlic so he thinks he is missing out?

 

[Hawk12237]

I think there's a difference between the potency in fresh & dried... @Hawk12237 may know or be able to check 1 of his wifes bookies. I'm tagging because he mentioned specifically "fresh" garlic to me recently. It is better known in the vet community for its good/healing properties, as @Hankmacaw mentioned. (As I understand it anyway)

You can actually give parrots a fresh garlic clove in moderation. It's rich in sulfur and potassium, and it kills fungus, bacteria, and intestinal parasites. Fresh garlic cloves can be offered to parrots in moderation. Measured by the drop, Kyolic liquid garlic is often used to treat fungal and bacterial problems of parrots. Garlic can cause anemia in some animals if given for long periods of time, but to date, however, there is no documented evidence of harm to parrots.
Moderation is the key here.
This author is well known food expert for parrots in bird talk magazines. Forgive me for forgetting her name, Paula ...something.

 

[Fuzzy]

The late Alicia McWatters recommended garlic for parrots. I know onions are a no no because they are said to rupture red corpuscles as in dogs (I don't know if this has been proven in parrots). Years ago, I read of a vet allowing his conure (?) to eat raw leeks and he apparently came to no harm. I wouldn't choose to do that though. However, I will add garlic if I am cooking something like veggie stew for the parrots for the anti bacterial properties. I have never given raw garlic. Interesting about the Kyolic liquid garlic, Michael.

 

[Rain Bow]

You can actually give parrots a fresh garlic clove in moderation. It's rich in sulfur and potassium, and it kills fungus, bacteria, and intestinal parasites. Fresh garlic cloves can be offered to parrots in moderation. Measured by the drop, Kyolic liquid garlic is often used to treat fungal and bacterial problems of parrots. Garlic can cause anemia in some animals if given for long periods of time, but to date, however, there is no documented evidence of harm to parrots.
Moderation is the key here.
This author is well known food expert for parrots in bird talk magazines. Forgive me for forgetting her name, Paula ...something.

Thank you for quickly respinding!

 

[Hawk12237]

The late Alicia McWatters recommended garlic for parrots. I know onions are a no no because they are said to rupture red corpuscles as in dogs (I don't know if this has been proven in parrots). Years ago, I read of a vet allowing his conure (?) to eat raw leeks and he apparently came to no harm. I wouldn't choose to do that though. However, I will add garlic if I am cooking something like veggie stew for the parrots for the anti bacterial properties. I have never given raw garlic. Interesting about the Kyolic liquid garlic, Michael.

Like you, I don't give my parrots onions. I've read you could if cooked, but still I don't.
I also have never had to give my birds are garlic...yet. But they do get cooked garlic.
The kolic liquid garlic my wife and vet use for parasite , fungus and internal issues.
I haven't yet had to use it. My philosophy, if it isn't broke, don't fix it. My birds are currently recovering from bad blood tests from eating primarily WD'S food. They are coming along fine.
Getting back to old selfs.
The vet smelled one of the bags of food and went wow, that's a bit herbie, referring to strong order of herbs in food and lots apparently.

 

[Ripshod]

Wow. Reading through this it strikes me there's a lot of misinformation on the net, some of it on this very forum (the D3 supplement issue and one member saying plainly that it's bad because of the sulfur in it comes straight to mind).
Of course they have a right to say it and they may feel they have a genuine fear of it, but it can easily scare a new member or someone googling from buying a relatively good seed mix, because there's a little sulfur.
I'm not naive. I've been on this earth a while and have spent a lot of my spare time learning about the various sciences, and I can appreciate there is a place for sulfur in life.
I'll stop there. Perhaps someone more experienced/qualified could do a series of "Truth About..." threads??

 

[redindiaink]

Thanks for the replies everyone. But we're left with the question - how much is just enough?

We don't know. We learn from our mistakes and accidents, or we run experiments and research it. There's one paper that talks about a dusky headed conure that was fed a clove a day (holy schmoly that's a lot of garlic for a bird!) and eventually it died from Heinz body anemia, so the potential for it to be harmful is there. Up to you to decide if it's worth the risk. Me? I share some of my home cooked meals with the birds that have garlic, but I don't do it often, or give them much of it.

The garlic sticks look like an Indian snack called "sev" and if that's what it is, I'd avoid them for the salt and fat content since they're deep fried noodles!

 

[Zara]

For me personally, I will not be feeding my birds garlic unless the day comes where I have a bird that could benefit from the properties of garlic (as in the case of Jasper) and then I will give it to them only under directions from my avian vet

 

[Rain Bow]

Wow. Reading through this it strikes me there's a lot of misinformation on the net, some of it on this very forum (the D3 supplement issue and one member saying plainly that it's bad because of the sulfur in it comes straight to mind).
Of course they have a right to say it and they may feel they have a genuine fear of it, but it can easily scare a new member or someone googling from buying a relatively good seed mix, because there's a little sulfur.
I'm not naive. I've been on this earth a while and have spent a lot of my spare time learning about the various sciences, and I can appreciate there is a place for sulfur in life.
I'll stop there. Perhaps someone more experienced/qualified could do a series of "Truth About..." threads??

I have made comments on sulfur before...

Specifically copper sulphate added to pellets.

I agree there's a place for sulphur in life but is it needed to be injested separately from what is taken in from our foods naturally? That was what my statement mentioned... I invite anyone to chat w/ me about it. That was the whole reason of my post. That being said... We all learn by research & discussion. Maybe my wording is off sometimes, I try really hard for it not to be...

If, I am the member that is, that you're speaking of...

For me personally, I will not be feeding my birds garlic unless the day comes where I have a bird that could benefit from the properties of garlic (as in the case of Jasper) and then I will give it to them only under directions from my avian vet

I agree via the vet...