Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Warning: GARLIC, including garlic powder, is DEADLY to cats and dogs. It caused a disruption and defects in the production of their red blood cells and can be fatal over time, not just if they develop Heinz Anemia (which is critical mass of Heinz body production) but also due to the negative effects of lower levels of Heinz bodies over time and the oxidative effects of Garlic in the feline (and canine) body. Garlic is an antioxidant IN HUMANS who have the best and most efficient ability, of all tested species, to naturally counter the oxidant activity of Garlic (and other onions) which allows us to gain dramatic antioxidant benefit. Cats and, to a lesser extent, dogs, cannot compensate the way we can and, as a result, experience little to no antioxidant benefit. Rather, Garlic and other onions are highly oxidative, much more so in cats than dogs but to a high level in dogs as well. I fed this to my cats for a year, having misread the label like a genuine idiot (who happens to be dyslexic) and was happy with the food, with all the whole peas and chunks of carrot, until one of my cats started getting sick and, after much solution-seeking, my doctor identified long-term, low-level garlic exposure as the problem and explained how damaging long-term low-level Heinz body production can be but, also, how damaging oxidants are on the bodies of our beloved cats and dogs. After much reading and researching on Google Scholar (yes, I'm one of those "spent too much time" in my the university library types), I confirmed and expanded on what he had said to find that this truly is a "never feed" item for cats and dogs. Of course, we have stopped using this and are now nursing her back to health and we have contacted Halo, a company that claims garlic is antioxidant to cats, in spite of all research to the contrary. To be clear, some of Halo's varieties, for no apparent reason, have garlic powder added to them. They have no intention of removing it. Read your labels carefully before feeding to your cats or dogs. The Succulent Salmon cat food is the one I had to stop using for this reason. Additionally, be careful to read for onions, shallots, scallions, etc. Garlic is the worst of the offenders in the group for cats (onion for dogs) and, when concentrated in powder or dehydrated form, it is more deadly and more highly oxidative. For the record, Heinz bodies are produced in direct response to the high oxidant activity of Garlic in cats and dogs (and to the same from all in the onion family). Oxidation is a cause of inflammation, of cancer, of organ damage, of illness and of death in all animal species which is why we seek antioxidants in the first place. Please, do not feed your pets garlic, shallots, scallions, red onions, white onions, yellow onions or any other plant from the onion family. The healthy and potent alternative for cats and dogs is wild blueberries (crush them first as they don't always chew) along with a probiotic to prevent oxalate production (which is the only negative side effect of berries and allowable/safe vegetables in cats, dogs and, for that matter, humans. The ASPCA cautions "All members of the onion family (shallots, onions, garlic, scallions, etc.) contain compounds that can damage cats' red blood cells if eaten in sufficient quantities. Garlic tends to be more toxic than onions on an ounce-for-ounce basis, and cooking does not destroy the toxin. While it's uncommon for cats to eat enough raw onions and garlic to cause serious problems, exposure to concentrated forms of onion or garlic, such as dehydrated onions, onion soup mix or garlic powder, can put cats at risk of toxicosis (poisoning). For example, some sick cats who are fed baby food containing onion powder develop anemia. The damage to red blood cells caused by onions and garlic generally doesn't become apparent until three to five days after ingestion. Affected cats might seem weak or reluctant to move, or they might have pale gums. Their urine can be orange-tinged to dark red. Cats with any of these symptoms should be examined by a veterinarian immediately. In severe cases, blood transfusions may be necessary." That having been stated, when they state, "if eaten in sufficient quantities" they are alluding to acute illness. Any amount of Garlic or Onion causes production of Heinz bodies and Heinz bodies are always harmful. However, a low amount results in the loss of a low number of red blood cells. A high amount results in the loss of more red blood cells and, when a high enough loss occurs, the animal dies. For further information, contact the ASPCA or research toxic effects of Garlic and Onion in cats and dogs, Heinz anemia in cats and dogs, and oxidative stress as well as oxidant activity of garlic and onion in cats and dogs.