Worth knowing · Allium

Garlic

Also appears on labels as: garlic powder, organic garlic powder, garlic oil, garlic extract, dried garlic, dehydrated garlic

Dried, powdered garlic, or the extracted oil.

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Where it comes from: Spice processing.
Why it's in the product: Flavor. Sometimes marketed as a natural flea deterrent, a claim with no good evidence behind it.
Safety and toxicity: This one deserves care. Alliums including garlic and onion contain thiosulfates that damage red blood cells and can cause hemolytic anemia. Dogs and especially cats are susceptible. The doses that cause harm are far above what a flavoring in kibble delivers, and small amounts of garlic powder in a commercial food are not considered dangerous. But it is the one common flavoring where the toxin is real and dose is the only thing standing between safe and not.
Interactions and who should be careful: Cats are several times more sensitive than dogs. Japanese breeds including Akitas and Shiba Inus have an inherited red cell trait that makes them more vulnerable still. If your pet is in either group, this is a line worth avoiding.

General reference, not veterinary advice. Dose, breed, and existing conditions change the answer, so talk to your vet before changing what your pet eats. Think we got this wrong? Tell us and we log it publicly.