Can dogs or cats eat garlic?
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Can dogs eat garlic?
Garlic is extremely dangerous for dogs. Garlic contains compounds called thiosulphates, which are highly toxic for canines. When dogs eat garlic, they can experience damage to the red blood cells, leading to anaemia or even death. The same type of toxicity can be caused by other members of the allium family of plants, which also includes onions, shallots, leeks, and chives.
Even small amounts of garlic can be harmful to your dog's health. Symptoms of garlic poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, lethargy, pale gums, and organ failure. If you suspect your dog has eaten any amount of garlic, contact your veterinarian immediately. They may recommend inducing vomiting or providing supportive care such as intravenous fluids and medications to help protect the organs from potential harm. Quick treatment may save your dog's life.
If your dog requires veterinary care due to eating garlic (or any other unsafe food), dog insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.
Can dogs eat...
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Can cats eat garlic?
Garlic is extremely unsafe for cats.
Garlic contains compounds called thiosulphates, which are toxic to felines. These chemicals can cause oxidative damage to red blood cells, leading to a condition called hemolytic anaemia. This condition occurs when the body's immune system attacks its own red blood cells, leading to fatigue, lethargy, or even death. (The same type of toxicity can be caused by other members of the allium family of plants, which also includes onions, shallots, leeks, and chives.)
Even small amounts of garlic consumption can weaken your cat’s immune system over time, making them more susceptible to infections or diseases. Your cat's gastrointestinal tract could also become irritated and inflamed, leading to symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting.
If you suspect your cat has eaten any amount of garlic, contact your veterinarian immediately. They may recommend inducing vomiting or providing supportive care such as intravenous fluids and medications to help protect your cat's organs from potential harm. Fast treatment may save their life.
If your cat requires veterinary care due to eating garlic (or any other unsafe food), cat insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.
Can cats eat...
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Information purposes only
The suggestions offered here are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for pet-specific advice from your veterinarian. Never disregard your vet’s recommendations, or delay in acting on them, based on something you have read on this site. Regardless of how a food is rated here, any food that you give your pet can pose potential health risks, including allergic reactions, choking, or other health conditions such as bloat. Always monitor your pet while they’re eating, and never introduce a new food into your pet’s diet without first consulting your veterinarian.
Pet poison emergency protocol
If your pet is acting sick, call your regular veterinarian immediately. If your regular veterinarian is closed, call a nearby on-call veterinarian, animal urgent care, or veterinary emergency hospital. If your pet is not acting sick but you think they may have been exposed to a poison, call the Animal Poison Line (01202 50 9000).
Food safety statuses
Could be given almost daily without harm
Not toxic, but should not be given regularly
Toxic or simply too risky to give to your pet