Cats and Garlic

[Millys Mum]

The only thing that I *DID* learn about the garlic tablets was not to stand behind Pearl when she farted... 

 

[Reynard]

I must say I did try garlic tablets with Pearl earlier this year in the hope they'd have some effect on repelling harvest mites, over and above using Frontline as well. In that sense they were bloomin' useless so thank goodness they weren't expensive. 

The only thing that I *DID* learn about the garlic tablets was not to stand behind Pearl when she farted... 

[Gillian Harvey]

I know garlic is often recommended by Richard Allport the holsitic vet who writes for Cat World, and whilst I respect him and his holistic methods, I don't agree with the use of it in cats, because of its potential toxicity.

[Millys Mum]

Once a week, useless tip even if it was safe to give!  Garlic needs to be given daily to help repel biting insects, it seemed to work on the horses but they had a big scoop every day and boy did they pong 

[Dawn F]

I used some natural flea drops years ago on Bluto, I think they were garlic based, they were useless and we had an infestation in the carpet!

[Gail Bengal Slave]

I thought garlic was poisionous to cats, I wont be giving any to my 3. To get stop them getting fleas they are frontlined.

[Mark]

I saw some advice on hintsnthings advising people to give cats a garlic capsule once a week to stop fleas. I admit I didn't read any further as other people had put warnings up against it. I emailed them saying this was wrong and that their site was dangerous publishing random misinformation. She has replied (see below) defending it saying she also published the "against" arguments. The thing is, other people, like me might have just read that bit without reading further. She does seem quite concerned but I still think it's wrong publishing "advice" that is potentially dangerous 

http://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/kennel/cats.htm

Edit - I see she has added my "two pennorth" 

Dear Mark,

Many thanks for your contact regarding the item on the use of garlic
 capsules and cats.

The item in question is accompanied by a prominent warning in red from
 a visitor with the same concerns as yourself.

I am the first to admit I am not an expert in any of the subjects
 covered on Hints and Things.  My aim is just to try to provide information
 and views in the hope this will allows visitors to make up their own
 minds.

Believe me it is not a case of randomly filling up page after page with
 dubious information and advice. The trouble with checking this type of
 information is that there are always differing points of views - it is
 nearly always possible to find support for and against everything as
 the MMR jab for humans has so vividly shown.

There appears to be conflicting advice even from the experts on this
 one with some vets suggesting the use of garlic for certain conditions
 and others banning it altogether.


 http://www.oes.org/page2/6471~FYI_Onions_and_Garlic_are_bad_for_your_dog_too.html

There is then the added confusion of well established and certified pet
 products (such as Denes who are registered by the Veterinary Medicines
 Directorat) on sale containing this ingredient.

Perhaps it is down the the amount of garlic contained in these products
 as many of the say the active ingredients are garlic powder and garlic
 oil, they do not mention the percentage.

Even the site you mention says "I think that the amount required is not
 likely to be eaten by a cat"


As with humans many things which are harmless if taken in moderation
 would be deadly taken in excess.
 
 
I am fully aware of the responsibilities associated with a site like
 Hints and Things and, therefore, make every endeavour to ensure that the
 information provided is accurate but I hope you will appreciate that
 with over 800 pages of very varied items it is virtually impossible to
 verify every point especially bearing in mind the above comments.

I have added your comments to the item in question to warn others of
 the possible dangers.
 
I really do appreciate your time and trouble and can only apologise for
 this mis-information, which I hope you feel has now been addressed.
 
May I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Healthy and
 Peaceful new year.

Kind regards.

June