Garlic
Verdict
Never — 5× more concentrated than onion. Extremely toxic to cats.
If your cat ate this
Cats hide symptoms — don't wait and see. Even small amounts of certain substances can be fatal to a cat. Act fast.
- 1. Call your veterinarian immediately
- 2. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
- 3. Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 (consultation fee applies)
A consultation fee may apply for poison control hotlines.
Verdict
Garlic contains the same thiosulfate compounds as onion but at roughly five times the concentration by weight. For cats — who are already far more vulnerable to allium toxicity than dogs — garlic is exceptionally dangerous. Even a single small clove can cause oxidative damage to feline red blood cells, triggering Heinz body anemia. Garlic in any form — raw, cooked, powdered, minced, or in supplements — is hazardous. The toxic dose for cats is remarkably low: as little as 1 gram per 5 pounds of body weight can cause hemolytic anemia. Japanese breeds like Siamese may be even more sensitive.
Symptoms to watch for
- • pale or yellowish gums
- • lethargy
- • loss of appetite
- • rapid breathing
- • vomiting
- • reddish-brown urine
- • weakness
- • collapse in severe cases
What to do
Contact your vet immediately. Do not give garlic supplements to cats under any circumstances. If ingestion was recent, your vet may induce vomiting and administer activated charcoal. Blood work will be needed to monitor for developing anemia over the following days.
📞 US ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435