Garlic Powder in Cat Food for Fleas

Fleas are a pest for pets and owners alike. Not only do they make life for your cat very uncomfortable but they can leave itchy bites on humans too. Garlic powder can be used as a natural method of repelling fleas. Owners who are concerned about the long-term effects of using chemical flea repellents might prefer this natural alternative.

  1. Significance

    • Fleas can be a major problem for owners of both indoor and outdoor cats. As well as infecting your pets, they can spread all over the house and will also affect humans. Flea bites cause discomfort and, more seriously, they can transmit diseases and parasites, such as tapeworms. Garlic provides a natural form of flea prevention and a cure for existing infestations. According to My Healthy Cat, owners are becoming concerned about the potential toxic effects of chemicals used in anti-flea products and garlic provides a safe alternative.

    Effects

    • The garlic works by supposedly deterring fleas from drinking the cat's blood, according to My Healthy Cat. Adding the equivalent of a small clove of garlic to their daily diet can raise their levels of vitamin B, which changes the way their blood tastes. However, owners should note that although garlic might repel fleas, it only affects adults and doesn't prevent them from laying eggs.

    Benefits

    • Alternatives 4 Animal Health reports that fleas and other parasites are becoming naturally resistant to the chemicals used in conventional flea remedies. While some owners reportedly worry about the long-term effects of using flea medicine, garlic is a natural remedy that is safe for pets in small doses. In addition to being cheap and readily available, it can also be used in conjunction with more traditional chemical flea remedies if needed.

    Expert Insight

    • Vet Will Falconer, D.V.M., explains that garlic and yeast can be beneficial to cats but should be used alongside other methods of prevention that also target the younger fleas. He recommends feeding cats a teaspoonful of nutritional yeast flakes (not those used for baking) and the equivalent of a small clove of garlic each day. If you are concerned about how much garlic to feed your cat, he suggests finding treats with garlic as an ingredient instead of adding the powder directly to their food.

    Warning

    • Although some owners believe that garlic is an effective way of treating fleas, vets are still undecided about whether small doses of garlic could have negative health effects on cats, says My Healthy Cat. Similar to onions, high doses of garlic can cause anemia in animals, which could be potentially fatal. Therefore, if you do decide to feed your cat garlic to treat or prevent flea infestations, ensure that you feed your pet no more than the equivalent of a small clove daily.