What should I do if my cat ate Garlic?

Do not give your cat hydrogen peroxide or any home remedy — Pet Poison Helpline specifically warns hydrogen peroxide is never safe to give to cats. Do not attempt to induce vomiting yourself. Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) and follow their instructions; bring any remaining plant material with you to the vet. Call immediately. Any confirmed or suspected garlic ingestion in a cat — fresh, cooked, powdered, or supplement — warrants a same-day call to your vet or to ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661). Don't wait for symptoms.

What should I do if my dog ate Garlic?

Do not administer hydrogen peroxide or induce vomiting on your own — Pet Poison Helpline cautions never to start first aid or give over-the-counter human medications without speaking to a veterinary professional first, and notes hydrogen peroxide is never safe to give to cats and should only be used in dogs under direct veterinary guidance. Call your vet or a poison-control line first; bring any remaining garlic or packaging with you to the appointment. Call right away if your dog has eaten more than a small culinary amount, if it's a small or sensitive-breed dog, or if any GI or anemia signs appear. ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) can advise on the dose-versus-weight risk before you decide on the ER.

Garlic — (c) Юрий Данилевский (Yuriy Danilevsky), some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Юрий Данилевский (Yuriy Danilevsky) — Photo by (c) Юрий Данилевский (Yuriy Danilevsky), some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Юрий Данилевский (Yuriy Danilevsky)iNaturalistCC BY

Photo by (c) Юрий Данилевский (Yuriy Danilevsky), some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Юрий Данилевский (Yuriy Danilevsky)iNaturalistCC BY

Pet safety reference

Garlic

Q: Is Garlic safe for cats?

Garlic is potentially toxic to cats. Ingestion can cause oxidative damage to red blood cells, leading to hemolytic anemia. Please contact your veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected.

Q: Is Garlic safe for dogs?

Garlic is potentially toxic to dogs. Garlic is significantly more potent than onions and can cause severe anemia in dogs. Seek veterinary care promptly if your dog has consumed any part of the plant.

Allium sativum

Garlic is a bulbous perennial herb widely cultivated for its culinary and medicinal uses, belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family. It contains compounds that can cause significant health issues in pets if ingested.

Check a list

Allium sativumGarlic

Light: Full sun
Habit: Bulbous perennial
Care: Low

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Sources

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.

Cats — concern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, pale gums, and elevated heart rate.

Escalation note

Ingestion can cause oxidative damage to red blood cells, leading to hemolytic anemia. Please contact your veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Drooling, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness.

Escalation note

Garlic is significantly more potent than onions and can cause severe anemia in dogs. Seek veterinary care promptly if your dog has consumed any part of the plant.

Safer alternatives

No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Garlic is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs due to the presence of N-propyl disulfide.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Allium sativum is a perennial bulbous plant in the Amaryllidaceae family, known for its culinary use but noted for toxicity to pets.

cats safety page My cat ate Garlic dogs safety page My dog ate Garlic

Often compared with

Commonly confused with

Same Allium genus.

Leek

Allium ampeloprasum

Leeks are members of the onion family that contain compounds capable of damaging red blood cells in pets. Ingestion of any part of the plant can lead to gastrointestinal upset and potential anemia.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Same safety verdict

Other plants with the same verdict

Amaryllis

Amaryllis spp.

Amaryllis is a popular bulbous plant known for its large, trumpet-shaped flowers, but it contains compounds that are harmful if ingested by pets. It is best kept out of reach of curious animals to prevent accidental exposure.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Autumn Crocus

Colchicum autumnale

The Autumn Crocus is a bulbous perennial known for its late-season blooms that emerge directly from the ground. It contains potent alkaloids that make it highly dangerous if ingested by pets.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Daffodil

Narcissus spp

Daffodils are popular spring-flowering bulbs that contain toxic alkaloids, particularly concentrated in the bulb, which can cause significant gastrointestinal distress if ingested. All parts of the plant are considered harmful to pets.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Hyacinth

Hyacinthus orientalis

Hyacinthus orientalis is a popular spring-flowering bulb known for its fragrant, dense clusters of bell-shaped flowers. It contains calcium oxalate crystals and alkaloids that can cause irritation if ingested by pets.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.