In addition to warding off vampires, garlic has multiple dietary and medicinal virtues. This bulbous plant can spice up the flavor of almost any dish while taking care of your cardiovascular health, protecting your liver, and combatting infectious diseases. However, despite all its amazing benefits, there’s one thing garlic can’t do, which is kill fleas on your feline companion!
It has been suggested that feeding your cat garlic may make your pet less “palatable” to fleas, but cats are highly susceptible to the toxic effects of garlic. Therefore, garlic will not kill fleas on your cat and you should NEVER give garlic to cats, even topically.
Let’s see what researchers, veterinarians, and other feline experts say about using garlic to repel fleas on cats.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Garlic as a Flea Repellent on Your Cat
The world’s most important domestic cat pest has a name: Ctenocephalides felis felis, also known simply as the flea.
Over the years, there has been interest in using environmentally friendly approaches to combat these tiny undesirables. However, no biological, natural, or cultural means have been discovered to alleviate flea infestations. And while garlic is often touted as a natural remedy to ward off fleas on cats, there’s no scientific evidence to back this claim up.
On the one hand, some flea home remedies suggest that garlic, especially mixed with brewer’s yeast, repel fleas. The theory is that after eating this unsavory mixture, the garlicky smell that emanates from the cat’s (or dog’s) body makes it an unappealing treat for fleas. But vets often warn against this potentially toxic treatment method, mentioning that garlic is not an effective flea or tick repellent on dogs or cats because they don’t sweat like humans.
Worse still, garlic can be toxic to cats, especially in large amounts.
How Toxic Is Garlic to Cats?
Garlic, onions, chives, and leeks are all part of the genus Allium spp. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, garlic is three to five times more toxic than onion, and cats are the species most susceptible to developing toxicosis from ingesting large amounts.
However, toxicosis has been reported in cats after ingesting less than a teaspoon of cooked onions. So, knowing that garlic is three to five times more toxic than onions, why risk giving it to your cat? Until there is solid scientific evidence that garlic can help kill fleas while being safe for cats, keep your feline companion away from it.
Signs of Garlic Toxicosis in Cats
Toxic doses of garlic damage red blood cells, making them more likely to rupture. If you’re concerned that your cat has ingested garlic, watch out for the following signs:
- Lethargy
- Pale gums
- increased heart rate
- Drool
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
How to Protect Your Cat From Fleas
Simply put, there are safer and more effective flea solutions than giving your little feline garlic! So, if you suspect your cat has fleas, consult your veterinarian for advice on the most appropriate and safest flea control options for your furry friend.
If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Bottom Line
Garlic is a powerful plant with many therapeutic benefits for humans. There is not enough scientific evidence that proves it can safely and effectively kill fleas in your cats. Besides, its toxic effect on pets far exceeds the limited deterrent effect on fleas that this plant can have.
In short, feel free to use as much garlic as you want to ward off vampires, but keep it out of reach of your feline friends!
Featured Image Credit: congerdesign, Pixabay
Why You Shouldn’t Use Garlic as a Flea Repellent on Your Cat
2 Responses
We are low income and I have been trying to find a sage and inexpensive way to kill and to prevent fleas and something for parasites. We have 1 dog and 6 cats (I used to do rescues). I used to do rescues. I found homes for many cats, but I had 10 left. I had a veterinarian who loved animals like I did and she told me that she would spay and neuter free, if I had them vaccinated for rabies and distemper. I didn't charge for adoption but monitored them for months. I don't know how many pets, mostly cats, that I found homes for, but only once, I took one back. Anyway, I am now a senior and have a husband who is disabled. Not only are we struggling to take care of our own expenses and animals; there are many strays in my neighbor's and my yards. The local rescue has taken 5 in the past year. No one does voluntary spay/neuter here. She is 82 and I am 72. We are both low income and we are trying to feed and care for these poor kittens/cats. I have a mother cat who rejected her kittens in my basement. I want to find someone to spay her and one cat at my neighbor's. Those are the last unspayed adult cats. But, she has 5 new borns….a month old in her house and I had taken in the 3 abandoned kittens and hand fed them (found homes). There are also about 8-10 kittens about 5 months old outside. We are struggling just to feed them. Do you know of anyway that we can use home remedies to kill/prevent fleas and also something for parasites. We want to help them, but it is overwhelming. I am going to try to find someone in a close proximity who does volunteer spay neuter. Thanks for any help!
Hi Shelby We truly commend you and your neighbor for your incredible dedication and compassion, especially given your circumstances as seniors with limited income. Your history of rescue and care for these cats, including hand-feeding the abandoned kittens, is deeply admirable. It is completely overwhelming to be struggling with your own expenses while also managing the severe issues of fleas, parasites, and a rapidly expanding stray population.
We want to be very clear: There are no safe or effective home remedies, especially for low-income use, that we can recommend for killing and preventing fleas and internal parasites in cats. Many common home ingredients are toxic to cats (like essential oils or certain concentrated soaps), and products meant for dogs can be lethal to cats. Effective flea and parasite control requires veterinary-prescribed or approved medication that is dosed accurately for each animal.
Since you are struggling with the expense of veterinary care and desperately need spay/neuter and safe parasite/flea control for your six cats, one dog, and the strays, your priority should be finding affordable aid. You should continue your effort to find low-cost spay/neuter clinics or TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) organizations in your area, as they are the best way to stop the breeding cycle and stabilize the colony.
We encourage you to look into these financial aid resources, which list organizations and charities that may be able to help cover the costs of safe parasite control and spay/neuter services for you:
Organizations and Charities That Will Help Pay Vet Bills
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/organizations-charities-that-will-help-pay-vet-bills/
Somebody to Lean On: Financial Resources for Cat Owners
https://www.catster.com/felines-weekly/somebody-to-lean-on-financial-resources-for-cat-owners/