What is Garlic Poisoning?
Feeding garlic in a large quantity or over a period of time can be harmful to your cat. The chemicals in garlic enter your cat’s bloodstream and begin to rupture red blood cells, which will quickly lead to hemolytic anemia, a very dangerous condition. Some of the symptoms you may observe include vomiting, breathing difficulties, diarrhea, and pale gums.
The longer you wait to get your cat medical help, the more serious his condition becomes. If you see any of the symptoms of garlic poisoning, take your cat to a veterinarian as soon as possible to prevent potentially fatal complications.
Garlic, a member of the Allium family, is commonly used to add flavor to our favorite foods. Some cat owners give their cats garlic because it is believed to have medicinal benefits, including the prevention of heart disease and fleas. However, garlic is toxic to cats, so it should never be included in their diet.
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Symptoms of Garlic Poisoning in Cats
Garlic poisoning symptoms may not begin right away. In fact, it often takes between two to four days following consumption for the symptoms to appear, which can make diagnosing this condition very difficult for cat owners and vets. Some of the symptoms you may observe include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Difficulty breathing
- Increased respiratory rate
- Increased heart rate
- Pale gums
- Collapse
Causes of Garlic Poisoning in Cats
Garlic poisoning is caused by garlic ingestion. The amount of garlic that it takes to poison your cat will vary depending on your cat’s weight, health, and type of breed. In most cases, a single clove of garlic is all it takes to poison a cat. Cats are more susceptible to garlic poisoning than dogs.
After garlic is consumed, it begins to damage the red blood cells, which makes them more likely to burst, eventually leading to hemolytic anemia.
Diagnosis of Garlic Poisoning in Cats
If you spot any of the symptoms of garlic poisoning, bring your cat into a veterinarian for treatment immediately. Describe the symptoms you have observed, when they began, and any changes to your cat’s diet.
The vet will begin by performing a series of tests, including a complete blood count, urinalysis, and blood chemistry profile. The results of these tests will help the vet determine your cat is suffering from low levels of red blood cells. The vet should be able to spot Heinz bodies, which occur when the cat is suffering from hemolytic anemia, in a blood sample.
However, there are a number of causes of hemolytic anemia, so the vet cannot determine your cat has garlic poisoning just from the presence of Heinz bodies alone. In many cases, the diagnosis is made based on the presence of Heinz bodies and the information provided by the cat owner. That’s why it’s so important to be as detailed as possible when talking to your vet about your cat’s condition.
Treatment of Garlic Poisoning in Cats
Treatment will vary depending on when your cat consumed the garlic. If the garlic was recently consumed, the vet will begin to induce vomiting by orally administering a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. This will remove all of the garlic from your cat’s stomach that has not been digested and prevent your cat’s condition from worsening. A gastric lavage, which is the medical term for stomach wash, may also be performed to ensure all toxins have been washed out of the stomach.
The vet may need to administer activated charcoal as well. Activated charcoal absorbs toxins so they do not get the chance to enter your cat’s bloodstream and cause further damage.
The vet will need to monitor your cat’s condition to determine whether he needs supportive care such as IV fluids or oxygen therapy. It is common for cats with garlic poisoning to need IV fluids to prevent dehydration because of the vomiting and diarrhea this condition causes.
If you used a spray or homeopathic product with garlic on your cat’s skin, the vet will need to thoroughly bathe the cat to remove any lingering toxins.
Although it is rare, if your cat’s condition is severe, and he has already lost a lot of red blood cells, he may need a complete blood transfusion in order to survive.
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Recovery of Garlic Poisoning in Cats
In mild or moderate cases of garlic poisoning, recovery rates are high, however cats with severe cases of garlic poisoning may suffer complications.
The vet may keep your cat after treatment to ensure his condition is stable before releasing him to you. Once he has been released, talk to your vet about at-home care while your cat recovers. First and foremost, it is important to remove any garlic from your cat’s diet and stick to vet-approved cat foods. Check all of the products you use—including any homeopathic flea or skin treatments—to ensure garlic is not included.
If you use garlic in your cooking, be sure to keep it in an area where your cats cannot reach it.
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Garlic Poisoning Average Cost
From 211 quotes ranging from $1,500 - $5,000
Average Cost
$2,500
Top
Garlic Poisoning Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Mixed breed
Jojo
5 Months
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Nothing I Can See
Is there an amount of garlic small enough that it is not toxic to cats? Can a cat be poisoned over time with small amounts of garlic?
I have been giving my cat Earth Animal internal powder, yeast free. Here are the ingredients: Alfalfa, Garlic, Spirulina, Kelp, Papaya, Neem, Nettles and Hawthorne. Dosage is 1/4 teaspoon divided into 3 meals through the day. I was told that at this small a dose, it's beneficial and not toxic. She seems to be doing extremely well on it, but I read somewhere that small amounts over time can do some damage. I'd like to continue with the powder if I can - I even stopped it and reintroduced it to see if the powder really is good for her (because if not, why bother with it at all, let alone the garlic), and her fur was softer and she had more energy after I reintroduced it. But if small amounts of garlic can cause harm over time, it's out. Thanks for considering.
Aug. 23, 2018
3 Recommendations
There is an acceptable dose or amount for almost anything, in municipal drinking water (tap water) there is an acceptable level of cyanide; there are many products which contain garlic in ‘therapeutic’ amounts and are usually safe. As long as the garlic is in an approved product which is approved for use in cats I wouldn’t be concerned. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/water/Pages/cyanide.aspx
Aug. 23, 2018
Thanks much! Approved by whom?
Aug. 23, 2018
Jojo's Owner
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Domestic shorthair
Ahri and Mac
7 Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
I fed the cats some "sundried tomato" turkey lunch meat. I didn't realize that there was garlic listed on the ingredients and am just worried if I should be concerned? The cats just ingested it within the 1/2 hour. There are no symptoms at the moment. I was just trying to share my meal with them but didn't think about the possible stuff that could be in it. Should I be worried?
Aug. 21, 2018
3 Recommendations
A small amount ingested may not cause any noticeable symptoms, however if a large quantity of the meat was consumed we may be more concerned with salt poisoning than garlic with these types of products. If there was a bite or two it is unlikely enough was consumed to cause symptoms of garlic poisoning but keep an eye on gum colour for the next few days and ensure that they remain hydrated, if you have concerns or you see symptoms visit your Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 21, 2018
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Street
Lilly
13 Weeks
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
I heard that garlic oil can treat fleas.
So I gave my 13 weeks old kitten a bath and then rubbed a bit of garlic oil on her chest and belly.
It's been an hour, she has vomited, had diarrhea, seems very lethargic as well.
Shall I take her to vets?
Thank Youu
Aug. 16, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
It would probably be a good idea to take Lilly to see a veterinarian, as the effects of garlic can continue to worsen over days for cats, and that may have been a toxic dose for her. They'll be able to examine her, do any blood tests that might be needed, and give her any supportive care that she needs so that she is okay. They can also talk with you about safe flea control for her. I hope that she is okay.
Aug. 16, 2018
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domestic short hair
Dixie
5 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
My cat just ate 2 small bites of cauliflower mashed potatoes. The only ingredients were cauliflower, parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves. The cloves were added whole but mostly mashed up. I can't be sure whether the small piece she had had any of the clove in it. Should I use activated charcoal or try and make her throw up?
Aug. 16, 2018
2 Recommendations
It has been a few hours since you asked your question, inducing vomiting or using activated charcoal wouldn’t be useful at this stage; you should keep an eye on Dixie for any symptoms listed on this page (mainly pale gums and lethargy). If any symptoms present or you are generally concerned you should visit a Veterinarian to be on the safe side. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 16, 2018
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Garlic Poisoning Average Cost
From 211 quotes ranging from $1,500 - $5,000
Average Cost
$2,500
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