What are the symptoms of Garlic poisoning in cats?

pale or yellowish gums, lethargy, loss of appetite, rapid breathing, vomiting, reddish-brown urine, weakness, collapse in severe cases

Garlic

Q: Can cats eat Garlic?

Dangerous: Never — 5× more concentrated than onion. Extremely toxic to cats. 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. Source: ASPCA.

Dangerous

Verdict

Never — 5× more concentrated than onion. Extremely toxic to cats.

Toxic principle: thiosulfate, organosulfur compounds (5× concentration of onion)

Source: ASPCA · Verified 2026-06-12

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
US — National hotline: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 aspca.org(24/7, Consultation fee may apply.)
US — National hotline: Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 petpoisonhelpline.com(24/7, $89 per incident fee; also covers Canada.)
GB — National hotline: Animal PoisonLine 01202 509 000 animalpoisonline.co.uk(24/7, £35 per call (8am–8pm weekdays), £45 at other times.)
AU — National hotline: Animal Poisons Helpline 1300 869 738 animalpoisons.com.au(24/7)
NZ — National hotline: Animal Poisons Helpline 0800 869 738 poisons.co.nz(11am–7pm NZ time (currently being extended), Charges apply.)
CA — National hotline: Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 petpoisonhelpline.com(24/7, $89 per incident fee.)

Verified 2026-08-06

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.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 aspca.org