Garlic and Other Things
I was uncertain for awhile about whether it is safe to feed garlic to cats. Some forums and articles on the internet strictly advise against it. Further research has revealed that onions are the real culprits, that should not be fed to cats at all. Garlic, however is safe in small amounts, and cats can benefit from its anti-parasitical, anti-viral, anti-bacterial properties.
So how much garlic is safe? I did some experimenting by chopping a few cloves into a pot of water, bringing it to a boil, then simmering for awhile. After straining out the garlic, the result was similar to a tea. I mixed a teaspoon into each of my kitties portion of soft food. They ate it with no complaints. I have yet to try chopped garlic, but will start with only a small amount, of course.
On the subject of foods not to feed your cats, grapes and raisins should be added to the list, as well as chocolate. These are the definite no-no’s that are echoed by vets and feline nutritionists.
Randy Kidd, in his book entitled Herbal Cat Care, recommends sprinkling herbs on our cats’ food, in the same way we humans use salt and pepper. I started with dried parsley, then nettles, and both have been well-received by my kitties. This is a simple way to boost the nutritional value of their diet.
Hurray! Feline nutrition can be achieved without slaving for hours in the kitchen.
