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Garlic...is it bad for kitties?
- Thread starter zazusmom
- Start Date
I think it depends on the cat. I don't know that garlic is ideal for all cats. But maybe there is something to it that is good in certain situations. Someone will be along soon to give you a better answer
Garlic is VERY bad for cats. Look at what i found online:
According to Dr. Randy Kidd, the use of garlic, as well as onions, shallots, and chives, has been shown to cause damage to feline red blood cells which can result in hemolytic anemia and eventual death. Raw garlic and onions can also cause ulcers and irritation of the mouth, esophagus and stomach.
His recommendation: avoid giving garlic and onions to your cat!
According to Dr. Randy Kidd, the use of garlic, as well as onions, shallots, and chives, has been shown to cause damage to feline red blood cells which can result in hemolytic anemia and eventual death. Raw garlic and onions can also cause ulcers and irritation of the mouth, esophagus and stomach.
His recommendation: avoid giving garlic and onions to your cat!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #4
WOW! I wonder how that kitty site could sell kitty dietary garlic suppliments. Thanks for the info...any other opinions?
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- Jan 30, 2005
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It could be a lack of knowledge or the thought that a little wont hurt.. Since I learned of possibley killing my kitties I dont give them garlic and I am very wary of giving it to my dog ..
The main issue as I see it with garlic is that the sensitivity to it, varies cat by cat. Some cats *will* develop Heinz Body Anemia and even go on to die, from a minimal exposure, others seem to be fine.
Here is the *most* recent and best article on the topic imho:
Click here and scroll to August 2005 Article on Allium Species Poisoning in Dogs and Cats The article is a pdf file, so you need to have Adobe Acrobat's free reader installed on your system.
The clear undeniable fact is that garlic is in the same family as onions, which are known to be toxic to cats. However, the amount of garlic necessary to cause a problem can vary, and folks, imo, hold to the belief that there are health benefits to cats similar to the benefits to humans.
Points of view that I disagree with - it depends on if fresh or dried, 'special' preparations or varities are okay, minimal amounts won't hurt.
To me, it is a choice, play russian roulette and use it, or don't.
The one good thing I have read...if the decision to cease using garlic is done soon enough for the particular cat reacting to it, the damage may be reversible - I imagine it depends on how much damage (how severe the anemia and other overall health aspects of the cat) has already been done.
There are *fine* companies continuing to use garlic, my one request of them is to please provide foods/supplements with a garlic free option for those of us who do not wish to feed it, and especially those of us with health compromised cats such as my cats with CRF (chronic kidney failure - who are already more prone to a different kind of anemia).
Okay..end of my mini-lecture
Here is the *most* recent and best article on the topic imho:
Click here and scroll to August 2005 Article on Allium Species Poisoning in Dogs and Cats The article is a pdf file, so you need to have Adobe Acrobat's free reader installed on your system.
The clear undeniable fact is that garlic is in the same family as onions, which are known to be toxic to cats. However, the amount of garlic necessary to cause a problem can vary, and folks, imo, hold to the belief that there are health benefits to cats similar to the benefits to humans.
Points of view that I disagree with - it depends on if fresh or dried, 'special' preparations or varities are okay, minimal amounts won't hurt.
To me, it is a choice, play russian roulette and use it, or don't.
The one good thing I have read...if the decision to cease using garlic is done soon enough for the particular cat reacting to it, the damage may be reversible - I imagine it depends on how much damage (how severe the anemia and other overall health aspects of the cat) has already been done.
There are *fine* companies continuing to use garlic, my one request of them is to please provide foods/supplements with a garlic free option for those of us who do not wish to feed it, and especially those of us with health compromised cats such as my cats with CRF (chronic kidney failure - who are already more prone to a different kind of anemia).
Okay..end of my mini-lecture
I can attest to the fact that garlic can cause irritation of the esophagus. Wellness is the only wet food my kitty likes but she had a reaction to it and I can't feed it to her because of the garlic.
I'm guessing that it's just a common sensitivity, and I just don't want to take that chance.
I give my kitten steamed vegetables in her food once every 7-10 days. Things like broccoli, fresh greens, or carrots, but I've heard that garlic, onions, and tomatoes are a no-no
I give my kitten steamed vegetables in her food once every 7-10 days. Things like broccoli, fresh greens, or carrots, but I've heard that garlic, onions, and tomatoes are a no-no
