Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Does Garlic Kill Fleas On Cats? Vet Reviewed Effectiveness Safety Explained

Garlic

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.

divider 3 paws

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.

vet holding burma cat
Image Credit: Elpisterra, Shutterstock

divider 3 paws

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

divider 3 paws

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!

PangoVet_Mention-in-Content for PangoVet2 save money

divider 3 paws

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

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Does Cedarwood Oil Kill Fleas on Cats? Vet-Verified Effectiveness & Safety Explained

Fleas can be the bane of a cat owner’s existence. Once they appear, they’re everywhere, and worst of all, they make our kitties...

cedar chips and essential oil

Does Bleach Kill Fleas on Cats? Vet-Verified Facts & Safety Guide

Have you spotted fleas crawling all over your favorite furry friend? You might have heard that bleach can kill fleas, but hold off...

Bleach Bottle Spray

What Can Kill a Cat? 16 At-Home Items Vets Tell Us To Watch Out For

Being a cat parent is a responsibility that should be taken seriously. Your cat needs water, food, frequent litter changes, grooming, playtime, and...

cat on a counter above the washing machine

8 Household Items That Are Toxic to Cats (Vet Answer)

Yes, some cats have a propensity for laziness. But all cats are inquisitive creatures by nature, and you can bet that your cat...

open under sink cabinet with different cleaning supplies in kitchen

More related

grey cat scratching itself indoors

K9 Advantix Is Not Safe for Cats: Our Vet Explains Why

Ticks can pose all sorts of problems for our pets, whether it just be from the skin irritation caused by the tick itself,...

Catster_Can Cats Eat Mustard_v1_Dec 4 2024

Can Cats Eat Mustard? Vet-Verified Risks & Precautions

A cat sneaking a taste of the turkey sandwich you accidentally left on the counter can seem harmless until you consider everything that...

Can Cats Eat Corned Beef

Can Cats Eat Corned Beef? Vet Approved Risks & Nutritional Information

Cold corned beef and boiled cabbage may be a St. Patrick’s Day staple for many Americans, but unfortunately, this dish is another human...

Woman injecting cat product to prevent from flea treament

How Long Does Flea Medicine Take to Dry? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

Fleas are tiny, but they are a big problem. Getting rid of fleas can be tricky once your pet brings fleas into the...

Keep reading

Why Does My Cat Paw at Her Water Bowl? 8 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Cats do all sorts of silly things that seem senseless to us. Yet, their behavior, including the oddest tasks, can be explained reasonably well. Does your cat paw at her water bowl? Well, there are explanations for that! Some reasons...

cat dipping its paw in water bowl

6 Health Risks of Keeping a Dirty Litter Box: Vet-Approved Sickness Signs

Cleaning the litter box is one of the most laborious (not to mention smelly) tasks a cat owner must do every day, so it’s easy to let this job slide to the wayside. But did you know that slacking on...

woman cleaning cat litter

Do Cats Get Tired of Meowing? Feline Sounds Facts

Some cats are all mouth—meowing, meowing, meowing. Do they ever get sick of it? Well, if they do, they probably would just stop, right? After all, doesn’t everyone get sick of hearing themselves after a while? Your cat getting tired...

close up cat meowing

Can Cats Eat Salt & Vinegar Chips? Vet-Reviewed Risks & FAQ

Does your cat inch towards you when they hear the crinkle of a chip bag? Felines are nosy creatures that are often intrigued by what they can’t have. This may include salt and vinegar potato chips. While eating a couple...

Can Cats Eat Salt & Vinegar Chips

Why Does My Cat Like to Be up High? 5 Vet-Verified Reasons

As a cat owner, you know that when you look for your feline pal, you must look up most of the time. Above the kitchen sink, in the window, on top of the fridge, or even on the top shelf...

Tuxedo cat on the fence

Can Cats Eat Spiders? Precautions & Facts

Whether you’re a seasoned kitty owner or brand new to the feline community, chances are you’ll notice your cat taking an interest in spiders. Most likely, your cat will bat them around and play with them, then before you know...

Can Cats Eat Spiders

What Is a Normal Heart Rate for a Cat? Vet-Approved Facts & Health Tips

Cats have smaller bodies than we do, so it’s only natural that they’d have faster heart rates. The normal cat resting heart rate is between 160–220 beats per minute (bpm). Recent physical activity will influence a cat’s heart rate, so...

veterinarians examining a grey cat

How Long Can You Safely Leave Your Cat Alone? Vet Approved Tips & Alternatives

Many of us cat owners need to leave our cats alone on a regular basis. But where’s the line between an okay amount of time for your cat to be left alone and too long? The answer depends on the...

fluffy cat lying on windowsill