How Bad is Garlic for Cats?
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I recently read that garlic is a no-no for cats. I supplemented my cat’s diet with a little garlic powder for many years and she lived to be 20 years old. Is garlic really so bad for cats?
- Yves
Cats are especially sensitive to garlic, Yves. Unfortunately, we don’t know specifically what kind of dosage causes problems. We do know that gastrointestinal issues and red blood cell damage can occur as a result of cats eating garlic, though. An occasional low dose, such as that in most commercial pet foods and treats, may not cause a problem, but because of the risk, we generally recommend avoiding products that contain more concentrated amounts of garlic.
It’s also important to know that if you’re feeding your pet a high-quality, nutritionally complete pet food, supplementation is not usually necessary unless your veterinarian recommends it. If you’re concerned your pet isn’t getting all of the nutrients he needs from his pet food, we would recommend a trip to the vet to discuss his nutritional health status.
Please take a look herefor more information about garlic’s effects on pets.