In case you have a cat or canine at residence and are looking for a pure method to eliminate fleas, you might surprise if garlic can do the trick. There’s presently no scientific proof that garlic is an efficient veterinary flea remedy, and extra importantly, it’s a member of the Allium household and, subsequently, really poisonous to cats and canine1. Many veterinarians suggest sticking with prescribed anti-flea merchandise2 which were examined for effectiveness and security when treating pets.
How Garlic Impacts Pets
Members of the Allium household, together with garlic, onions, chives, and leeks, are poisonous to cats and canine. Dried merchandise are stronger than contemporary ones, and garlic is usually thought-about essentially the most problematic of the bunch; it’s 5 occasions stronger than common onions.
Felines
Cats are significantly weak to garlic poisoning attributable to their smaller physique sizes. A cat weighing 10 to 12 kilos can expertise indicators of Allium toxicity after consuming about 1/2 teaspoon of chopped contemporary garlic or 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder. The indicators of garlic poisoning embrace lack of urge for food, pale gums, quick respiration, and gastrointestinal difficulties corresponding to vomiting and diarrhea.
Don’t anticipate indicators to develop in case you suspect your cat has consumed garlic; attain out to your veterinarian, clarify the state of affairs, and observe their directions simply to be protected.
Canines
Garlic can also be poisonous to canine however typically causes fewer issues than cats. A 25-pound canine that managed to eat 50 grams of garlic (about 10 cloves) would possible want remedy. Sure breeds, together with Japanese Chins, Akitas, and Shiba Inus, are extra delicate to garlic’s energetic components.
Indicators of garlic poisoning in canine embrace lethargy, pale gums, lack of coordination, and a quick coronary heart charge. Common-sized canine that pay money for one clove are more likely to be simply positive, however communicate along with your veterinarian and get strong recommendation concerning what to do in case your canine consumes any quantity of garlic.
What’s the Idea Behind Giving Pets Garlic to Ward Off Fleas?
The idea claims that fleas don’t just like the style and scent of garlic and that consuming it is going to change how pets style and scent sufficient to trigger fleas to assume twice about taking a chew. Rubbing garlic on pets is meant to work primarily the identical means. Nonetheless, no scientific proof helps the idea, and you need to by no means feed or rub garlic on cats or canine, as they’ll nonetheless ingest it when grooming.
How Do Cats and Canine Get Fleas?
Canine and outside cats can catch fleas in a number of methods, together with from different animals and by strolling by environments fleas love to hang around in, like tall grass and leaf piles. Homeowners can even carry them inside on their socks and pants legs, which might transmit the pests to indoor cats.
Dogs can bring home fleas and cross them on to resident cats, and vice versa. Pets can even encounter fleas on visits to locations frequented by animals, corresponding to veterinary workplaces and grooming salons.
What Do Fleas Look Like?
Fleas are 1/16 of an inch lengthy and resemble black specs. They’re comparatively flat, have three units of legs, and wish to congregate near tails, groins, and armpits. A flea comb could make it straightforward to search out fleas in your pet’s coat. They will’t fly, however they’ll actually leap!
What Are Indicators a Pet Might Have Fleas?
Biting and scratching usually point out flea infestations in canine and cats. Head shaking, ear scratching, and hair loss are additionally generally seen. Canine typically develop scabs and marks in response to flea bites, and each cats and canine might get a considering coat and scabs across the base of their tail and again legs if they’re significantly delicate to fleas.
How Are Fleas Handled?
Eliminating fleas typically requires a two-pronged strategy; you’ll have to deal with your pet and kill fleas and eggs hiding in your house.
Treating Your Pet
Whereas it’s attainable to handle fleas utilizing a mixture of pure strategies corresponding to common flea combing and bathing, they gained’t get rid of the pests, are sometimes time-consuming, and require repeat purposes to even make a dent in the issue. Vet-approved flea remedies are the perfect merchandise to take care of fleas since they’re topic to testing for security and have been confirmed efficient.
Communicate along with your veterinarian and get recommendation about the perfect product in your pet’s wants. Topical remedies are efficient, and most work for as much as 3 months. Canine-specific flea treatments ought to by no means be used on cats since many comprise permethrin, which is poisonous to cats.
Treating Your Dwelling
Day by day vacuuming is crucial for eliminating fleas and their eggs. Carpeted areas and sofas usually require extra consideration. It’s greatest to throw the vacuum bag away and dump the canister outdoors to maintain fleas from re-infesting your house.
All pet bedding must be often washed within the highest temperatures attainable. Pillows and comforters the place pets wish to sleep must also be laundered.
Eliminating mulch piles and clearing fallen leaves and branches could make outside environments much less inviting for fleas. Nonetheless, you’ll have to name a pest management technician to deal with your house and yard if in case you have a extreme infestation.
Conclusion
No scientific research has proved that garlic works as a flea remedy, and there are many good causes to keep away from giving your pet garlic. It’s poisonous to canine and cats, however cats are extra delicate to garlic’s results than canine and might turn out to be sick after consuming comparatively small quantities.
Business merchandise examined for efficacy and security typically eliminate fleas rapidly and effectively, and there are lots of choices to select from, together with extremely easy-to-use topical remedies and shampoos. Cats ought to solely use feline-specific flea products since many merchandise made for canine comprise permethrin.
Featured Picture Credit score: MaisonBoutarin, Pixabay
